Evening star., 1932-02-08
SMITH STATEMENT
/. SPURS ROOSEVELT.
New York Governors Back
e ers Say Opponents Have
- Played Ace.
(Continued From First Page.l

(COrCnued from tlTSJ fagel
Smith declared that he was head OF
the Democratic party today, in view
of the action of the Democratic national
convention which nominated him in
1928 and that he did not intend, as
head of his party either to favor or
to oppose any of the candidates who
have been put forward. This leaves
him free if he desires, to throw his
support at the convention or after 1t
to any candidate he desires, even Roose-
welt.
At the same time, II he had come
forward with a declaration against
Franklin D Roosevelt, who he persuaded
to run for Governor Of New York in
1928 in order to help strengthen the
Smith candidacy for President in the
Empire State, he would have been aC-
cuSed by many Democrats Of ingratl-
tude. Nor could he declare himself for
any other candidate than Roosevelt
without subjecting himself to similar
criticism He could, however, with pro-
prietY declare himself either a receptive
or an active candidate for the nomlna-
tion.
Opponents of Roosevelt among the
Democrats insist that there is no ques-
ton of gratitude on the part OF Smith
to Roosevelt; that Gov. Smith owes
as much or more to Gov Ritchle, who
voluntarily took himself out OF the race
In 1928 so that Gov. Smith might have
the Maryland delegation to the national
convention that year, and such other
support as the Marylander might other
wise have had at the convention.
Three Outstanding Candidates.
If Roosevelt is stopped at the COM
ing convention, and neither he nor
Smith can receive the necessary two
thirds vote, who will be the compromise
candidate?
Three men at least stand out as pos
sible compromise andidateS-former
Gov. Cox of Ohio, the party nominee
in 1920; Speaker John N. Garner OF
Texas and Gov Ritchie of Maryland.
There are plenty of others, for example,
Newton D. Baker, also of Ohio, and
Gov. George White Of that State.
How Roosevelt Democrats feel about
the Smith entry into the presidential
race is expressed by Senator Dill OF
Washington, one of the original Roose-
ve1t boosters. He said today:
Democrats of the State of Washing
ton on Saturday showed how TO stop
the Stop Roosevelt movement when
they selected 16 delegates to the Chicago
convention and instructed them to vote
and work for Roosevelt.
AT that time, they didn't know what
Gov. Smiths statement would contain,
and they didn't care. They knew that
with Roosevelt as the nominee, the
party will win, and that when we do
win the country will have President
who will lead the way back to prosperity
by putting men to work, by serving
America first, and by placing more OF
10
powerful.
Have Played Trump Card.
with the announcement Of Gov
Smith. the Stop Roosevelt crowd OF
leaders have played their trump card.
He was their ace in the hole. There
aren't even any face cards left in their
pack.
This is fortunate for the Roosevelt
supporters. 1t is better to know now
what must be overcome, than TO con-
tinue in doubt. When it becomes clear,
as it soon will, that even former Gov
Smith can't stop Roosevelt at the Chi
cago convention, the opposition will
crumble, and the certainty OF his noml-
nation will be evident even sooner than
it might otherwise have been.
1T is Roosevelt against the field. He
Is awav out in front because the people
believe in him, and the faith OF the
people in him will continue to grow
week by week, until the hour for noml-
nation at Chicago"
Norris Sees Defeat.
Senator George w. Norris OF Ne
braska. Progressive Republican, who
openly supported Gov. Smith for Presl-
dent in the 1923 election, said today,
according to an Associated Press dis
patch from Memphis, Tenn, that
Smiths statement was the beginning OF
what may be the Democratic party's
defeat in an otherwise 'cinch' cleo
ton. Senator Norris was on his way
back to Washington from the funeral
of the late Representative Quin of
Mississippi. Senator Norris, at the
Progressive conference held here last
March, declared that what the coun-
try needs is another Roosevelt In
Memphis today he said:
THE Democratic party has remark
able record for making a damn fool OF
itself at a crucial time when 1t has
the world by the tail and downhll.
pull. 1t is expected to repeat its usual
performance" he added, as he pointed
to Gov. Smiths statement.
This is truly Democratic year and
the election would be cinch for the
Democrats if they could be harmonious
He said President Hoover would be
the Republican nominee. but added 'it
ought to be Hiram johnson, Senator
Borah or Gov. Pinchot, or somebody
like that"
Gov. William H. Murray. Oklahoma's
favorite son for the Democratic nomi-
nation, ventured the opinion that
Smiths announcement shows the poll
ticians have fallen out" The rank
and file now has chance, Murray
said. adding he believed Gov. Roose-
velts boom is "a pure combination Of
politicians in various States
The Smith candidacy may defeat
Gov. Roosevelt for the nomination, just
as it defeated William G McAdoo for
the nomination in 1924 and forced a
compromise candidate, John w. Davis.
In that year. however, Smith found 1t
impossible to be nominated himself. In
1882 he is likely to find himself fac
ing the same strong opposition that he
faced in 1924.
Chances Seem Remote.
He was handed the nomination in
1928. although many of the Democrats
were disgruntled But they had no
real rallying post, no candidate who
commanded large number OF dele
gates With Gov Roosevelt this year
rs a candidate to whom they may rally,
the chances for a Smith nomination
seem remote to the point almost OF
fmpossibility.
There is no doubt about the satisfac-
ton with which the Republicans have
seen Gov. Smith cast his hat IN the
ring. Their hope for some time has
been that the Democrats would get into
a fight over the selection OF a preSi-
dental nominee. In the Smith candi-
dacy they see now a great chance for
such a fight.
Until Gov. Smiths statement. max
1np him a receptive candidate, the
Roosevelt bandwagon has been moving
triumphantly forward. Favorlte-Son
candidates have been produced in a