Evening star., 1932-03-13
BY GEORGE VAN sLYKE.


NEW YORK, March 12.-As a result
| Of the gains coming to him from the
| impressive victory which he scored this
/ past week in the first presidential State
primaries, Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt
and his supporters are credited with
| control of majority Of the delegates
who will organize the Democratic Ma
| tional Convention next June
The situation in the Democracy has
been clarified and Mr.. Roosevelt's posi-
ton strengthened by the first expression
of sentiment at the polls. Three months
prior to the assembling Of the national
convention and just at the moment
when the stop Roosevelt" movement
appeared to be threatening his big lead
in the race Of candidates, the New York
executive has given an actual demon
stration Of vote-getting power which
has disconnected his opponents and
started him off on a fresh outburst Of
speed.
The immediate objective of the Roose-
welt managers for months has been to
win the support of majority of the
delegates for record purposes on the
first ballot. Making due allowances for
extravagant claims and shrinkage, 1t
now seems there is substantial basis for
the belief that Mr.. Roosevelt will be
able to organize the convention; that
his friends win dominate the committee
which will decide on contested seats,
name the temporary officers Of the con-
vention and the committee to write the
platform. That Is exceedingly impor-
tant.
Especially Is 1t vital for his friends
to determine the merits of rival delega-
tions claiming the right to sit in the
convention. Minnesota Democrats have
a row on their hands, and the anti
Roosevelt faction in that State, which
bolted the regular convention this week,
threatens to send q protesting delega-
ton, which. If seated, would cast the
States ballot against the New York
Governor. Probably there will be sew
eral other similar situations. The Dem
ocrats nearly always have numerous
contests Of that character.
The impetus lent the Roosevelt cam
didacy by his sweep in New Hampshire,
followed the next day by the declaration
of Minnesota for his nomination, has
brought many undecided and wobbling
delegates into the Roosevelt camp. His
own managers insist they are confident
he will have well over 500 votes on the
first ballot. Others less partisan who
have made careful count estimate that
the Governor at the worst Is today
| within so votes Of a majority. Some
shade 1t down to 20 or 30 ANY OF these
figures show that the consensus OF pro-
fessional opinion is that Mr.. Roosevelt
is well on the way and Is more than
maintaining his lead.
Almost as important as the actual
gain which he has recorded is the mega
tive advantage which has come to him
in the loss sustained by Alfred E. Smith
both in New Hampshire and Minnesota.
In less than three days the conviction
has gone abroad through the party that
the AL Smith movement Is fading out;
that the former Governor cannot be
nominated, and that his loyal friends do
not owe it to him to give him the power
of attorney to carry on useless fight
which may be destructive in its results.
Even the die-hards in the party have
paused to think it over.
Great interest has attached to these
first primaries, and naturally So as
they are the first definite expression Of
Democratic preference at the polls. For
the better part of year Gov. Roosevelt
was far out in front for the reason
that he was the only candidate in the
field, and the prestige of his Office lent
his candidacy great strength. Then
came the uncertain period when Mr..
Smith hesitated about running and the
belief grew that II "Al" threw his brown
derby into the arena 1t would mean
the definite stopping" Of the Roose-
velt boom Mr. Smith did enter finally,
and far and wide the party leaders said
Roosevelt was through; that the Smith
legend still lived and that it would be
easy to form the coalition TO control
one-third Of the convention.
Firm in that belief, the favorite sons
began to emerge until nearly score
were in the race. That was designed
by State leaders to hold their delega-
tions in line pending developments.
This week the party has gone one step
further. Roosevelt has met Smith in
the latter's own territory and has won
so impressively that the Smith contin-
gent has suddenly suffered severe
chill. Mr. Smith unquestionably has
sustained loss Of prestige; the stop
Roosevelt" movement gives evidence Of
arisen as to Mr.. Smiths ability to head
of the New York Governor.
~ ~
Encouraged by the New Hampshire
victory, Mr. Roosevelt has decided to 60
into Massachusetts, and make an ag-
gressive battle for that States delega-
ton. That Is taken by his friends as
an evidence Of his own confidence, since
the Bay State is Smiths strongest ter
ritory and he is rated there as favor
ite-son candidate. The Roosevelt man.
ayers believe they will win IA or 16 Of
the States SO delegates and that will
be equal to another real victory
Some of Mr.. Roosevelt's friends have
been apprehensive concerning these New
England contests because of their fear
that the Governor would arouse the
opposition of the large body of Catholic
voters and ALLEVIATE that entire element
Of the party beyond the possibility Of
winning back It's support In the event
OF his being nominated. But that OBJ
jsction has bean met BY the statement