Evening star., 1932-06-27
FORCES
RULE COMMITTEES
Have Their Own Way on All
Groups-0vation Given
Leading Figures.
Continued From First Page.l

veltians mustered only q quarter OF the |
votes.
A check of the best information
available indicated today that the re-
suit would be exceedingly close when |
the question is put to a convention |
vote. probably tomorrow, with SIM
pie majority required to decide. This |
is all the more serious to Roosevelt, |
since a defeat would be, concededly, a |
blow to his prestige at a critical time.
Close Division on Chairman.
Almost as close a division was indi-
Gated in the dispute over permanent |
chairman of the convention, also to be
decided tomorrow. OBJECTIONS are GER !
tain among the Roosevelt delegations,
which have been asked by their leaders |
to support Senator Thomas j. Walsh |
of Montana, against Jouett Shouse of
Kansas head of the party's Executive
Committee.
The argument over this convention |
post has reached a stage Of extraordi- |
nary sharpness. Through his manager, |
James A. Farley, Gov. Roosevelt gave |
the lie to an earlier statement OF Alfred |
E. Smith by declaring he never gave his |
word that Shouse would have his sup |
port. Shouse countered by making pub
lie a stenographic report of meeting !
at which it was stated to him that the
convention Arrangements Committee, in |
commencing" him for the post, had
RooseVelt's approval.
In the face of the Roosevelt defec- |
tionS on these two issues, the opposition |
took heart after a period Of sinking
hope. James A. Reed secured pledge
from his wavering Missourians that
they would stand by him. Anti-Roose- |
velt leaders sought to rally the Illinois
delegation, released Yesterday by James
Hamilton Lewis, behind Melvin Traylor, |
the Chicago banker, VINO almost became
an active candidate by making a sur
prise speech at a delegation meeting,
declaring he would rather see the party
defeated than victorious through
"demagogic" appeal to class interest.
White Asked to Step Aside.
Byrd of Virginia, Ritchie of Mary
land. White OF Ohio, Murray of Okla
homa and the Garner leaders in the
Texas delegation, although not actively
joining in the dispute, all were CONSOLE
dating their lines against the pounding
of the Roosevelt men. A telegram was
sent to White by w. w. Durbin, an
Ohio delegate, asking him to step aside,
but there was no immediate reply.
In the midst of these fast-stepping
events, today's convention session Wss
like an oasis of quiet.
The delegates were called to convene
at noon, Central daylight time, in the
same bunting dressed stadium where
the Republicans renominated Hoover
and Curtis 10 days ago. 1t fell to John
j. Raskob, as party chairman, to rap
the gavel and announce the conven-
tion under way. The opening prayer,
by Evangeline Booth of the Salvotion
Arl1 trfA d H..
note address by Senator Alben w. Bark
ley Of Kentucky and committee ap-
pointments made up the balance Of the
days parliamentary budget.
Committees TO Begin Work.
The committees are to go to work at
once late today. One of them, framing
a platform, really has been at its task
unoff1cially since Thursday trying to
draft the shortest party declaration of
recent years, proposing submission Of
prohibition repeater, lower tariffs,
stricter antitrust laws. It hopes to be
ready to report by tomorrow afternoon.
But the real central theme of the
whole drama is the battle over the two
thirds rule The depth of resentment
of the anti Roosevelt men at the pro-
posal to depart from tradition was re-
flected in statement by Frank Hague
of New Jersey, Smiths floor leader,
pronouncing the project "traitorous.
With the arrival yesterday of James
M Cox all of the living former nomi-
nees of the party are here, prepared to
take up the fight for the two-thirds
rule. 1t was reported today Cox would
take the floor in its defense. So may
Smith, although John w. Davis, who
also has objected to change, probably
will not.
AS the convention proceedings began
Roosevelt men swarmed the platform,
taking over temporary organization,
claiming a wide majority on every COM
mittee.
Leaders Gather in Stadium.
Outwardly the convention took no
note of its promised troubles. The high
spot was the keynote speech by Senator
Alben Barkley. A cheering convention,
thoroughly agreed in support of his
jibes at the Republicans, welcomed him
in what looked for the moment like
love feast.
But out across the spreading floor of
the Stadium there were plenty of signs
Of the approaching storm.
Almost solemn despite the lifting ef-
forts of the stadium pipe organist and
a bevy of bands, leaders gathered in
whisper OF war and rlmors of war.
Nearly every delegation was be-badged
for its candidate, and the total of near
ly a dozen aSpirantS to the nomination
recalled with force the scene eight years
ago in the opening sessions of the big
breakup at Madison Square Garden.
The Marylander, more than a hun
dred strong, although they had but
sixteen votes among them, displayed
placards urging the democracy to Win
With Ritchie" Several of the candi-
dates themselves were on the floor.
Alfalfa" Bill Murray, who has his
home State of Oklahoma and one dele
gate from North Dakota, got TO the
hall exactly an hour before the con-
vening hour
The way to do is to be on hand
early" Murray said, as he sat down
with black sombrero pulled down over
his nose and a well worn black cigar
clutched in his teeth.
Senator Pat Harrison of Mississippi
came in to look for his fellow Mis-
siSsippians and found only row of
empty benches. Senator Huey Long,
the Louisiana Kingf1sh, took up his
place on the flank of the State dele
cation.
Most of the celebrities and the rank
and file of delegates and on-lookerS
as we'll were slow in arriving AS the
bands and the organ alternated, the
floor and galleries filled by trickles
Noon came and passed, and there was
not sign that a call to order was
even near.
The high ceiling was entirely hidden
by red, white and blue in wide panel |
ling. Dozens of great American flags
were suspended over every section. All |
about the hall were the same series |
of portraits of George Washington that |
looked down on the Republicans, with |
never a picture anywhere Of party |
hero.
Ritchie Gets Ovation.
AS organ and band really warmed up |
to their work and began mixing State |