Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-03-20
BY GEORGE VAN SLYKE.

NEW YORK, March 19.-The idea Is
spreading rapidly through the Demo-
cratic State organizations and there
taking deep root that the party must
at whatever cost, avert a deadlocked
convention In Chicago a few weeks
hence in order to hold It's prospect Of
winning the presidency in November.
I'VE can win unless we get to quar-
reling among ourselves" Is becoming
almost household motto in the De-
mocracy. That belief, more than any
big national issue or great economic
consideration, Is responsible for the
activities and reactions Of the State
organizations everywhere that a test is
made on the merits Of the several can
didacies for the nomination for Pres
ident.
Cheered by the thought that at last
prohibition can be dealt with In the
national convention without bringing
about the old factional and sectional
conflict to endanger success, the State
leaders who will do the nominating are
showing surprising unanimity of pur-
pose in the way they are approaching
their primaries and conventions.
This may be the underlying doc
trine which explains a lot Of things
that have been happening; 1t may ex-
plain why some things have not hap
pened as expected. 1t easily offers ex-
PLANTATION of why Alfred z. Smiths
campaign has gone nat at this early
stage. 1t explains why the numerous
favorite sons have been unable to get
started and emerge from their purely
local confines. 1t explains New Hamp-
shire and North Dakota and why Gov.
T1y-ap L. 4ya r ri NauT VnrIr dc
romping merrily on his way toward the
nomination.
State leaders in 1882, as in every
other campaign, are as much concerned
over carrying their local elections as in
putting Democrat in the White House.
Their big patronage, on which their
organizations flourish, comes from
State, municipal and county offices;
very little, relatively, comes from
Washington. Their chances OF winning
locally improve II the party Is united
nationally and the nominee for Pres
ident Is strong vote getter.
Gov. Roosevelt's strength lies In the
fact that he fits into more State situa-
lions than does any other aspirant for
the nomination. There Is nothing def
mite against him anywhere. He goes
equally well in conservative New Eng
land and the radical West. The farmers
have taken to him; the urban vote is
not unfriendly while wishing he were
a more militant wet. But the prohibi-
ton question Is to be taken care OF
without attaching too closely to the
candidate, SO that is not a handicap.
Roosevelt may not be the greatest
statesman since Lincoln, say State
leaders, but he has the record Of hav-
ing been satisfactory Governor of the
greatest State: good record in Fed
eral ONCE; a great name and no big
blocs, factions, elements or militant
grorps against him.
His opposition Is confined chiefly, II
not entirely, to other individuals who
would like TO be President and are
convinced they have as much right to
be President and would be as good a
President as Roosevelt.
Foremost In that class OF distin-
g,Iished Democrats Is Al Smith Of New
York, whose claims on the nomination
are as strong as those Of Mr.. Roosevelt
or any other Democrat That Is recog-
nized generally by Democratic leaders,
far and wide, who credit Smith with
having given great service to his party.
But they also realize that to grant
Smiths wish for vindication would
mean plunging the party in its national
convention into another deadlock, STIR
ring I'D afresh all the snoldering
sectional and religious rivalry and, In
all probability, throwing away the
party's hope Of victory.
Now that 1t has come to be generally
recognized throughout the party ranks
that Smith cannot hope to win the
nomination for himself and seeks only
to obtain a veto power which viii enable
him to name some other candidate than
Roosevelt, his own candidacy has hit
dead center. That belief as much as
any other reason has contributed to
the Conviction that the best way to
avoid the deadlock Is to turn to Roosevelt
and stop Smith" What started as
STOP Roosevelt" movement with the
entry of AL Smith six weeks ago has
now been reversed.
X 4
Smith still has the chance of making
a great sweep IN Massachusetts, and
Pennsylvania, but he must take both
States In their coming primaries II he
Is to remain factor in the convention.
PURPOSE, since that State Is conceded
as his one remaining stronghold, and
he Will not have his native State.
Gov. Roosevelt Is credited with hay.
ing close to a majority Of the delegates
who will sit in the convention in June.
He goes forging ahead week after week
as the other favorite-son candidates
stand still. Richie, Byrd, Garner,
Baker and all the others In the race
are no better off than at the start. The
"a delegates so far actually instructed
are for Roosevelt.
The States evidently have become
convinced that Roosevelt viii have as
good a chance of being elected as any
OF the fayorite sons under discussion.