The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-04-14
Mystery Conference,
 Of Alfred E.. Smith
tContinued From Page 1)

telegram excusing himself on the ground of state business brought only a brief burst of applause.
 Though in delegate strength Roosevelt is far ahead of anyone else and is gaining daily, his ab- sence from the Washington gath ering left Smith as the central fig ure. Smith, whose importance in the democratic situation has been regarded as-steadily declining of late, appeared to have rehabili- tated himself to some extent by his boldness in striking out on a cancellation plan in fact of over- whelming opposition.
 Furthermore his apparent yelled challenge to fight Roosevelt to the bitter end instantly conjured new possibilities in the minds. of dem- ocratic politicians. Many privately discussed the possibility of Smith leading a desperate fight against Roosevelt on the floor of the con- vention, openly appealing to the delegates to defeat the man who had placed him in nomination at two previous conventions.
 Several other potential party candidates paraded their wares be- fore the assembled democrats.
 Former Governor James M. Cox of Ohio said that conditions might not improve until public officials were willing to risk their jobs to save the nation, declaration which brought heavy applause and low-voiced references to the bonus from the guests.
 U.ore,or no1,nrrn,. rJorrv E, E2vrd of Virginia outlined a new prohi- bition plan involving an elaborate program calling for two constitu- tional amendments. He proposed an amendment to the constitution which would provide a way of amending the 18th amendment by holding a popular referendum in which a majority vote in three- fourths of the states would be necessary for approval. Prohibi- tion however attracted less atten- tion among the democrats meet ing here than, did some. other questions.
 Governor Ritchie of Maryland defended the party against criti- cism arising out of the conduct of house democrats during the tax bill fight
 Smiths war debt plan Is the first direct or indirect cancellationtsts proposal to come from an impor- tant political leader. President Hoover and practically all respon- sible leaders in both parties have insisted publicly that the war debts must not be cancelled, though many of them in private have se- rious doubts that the $10,000,- 100000 or so ever will be paid. Congress declared against cancel lation last December. It has been regarded as. bad politics to admit the faintest suspicion that the United States would lose a single dollar of the war debts.
 Smith on the other hand openly declared the debts could not be paid, so he proposed cutting through the red tape.
 "Let us say to the nations of Europe who owe us money that we will forget all about it for 20 years and not only will we do that, but we will write off as paid each year 25 per, cent of the gross value of American products which they buy from ts," Smith said.
 This, in effect, is to say to any nation which owes us money, if it purchases $100. 100000 of our cot ton, we will forget $25,000,000 of its indebtedness. If it will buy $100, 100000 of our wheat, our fruit, our tobacco or any of our manufactured (, products. we will forget s25,000,000 of its indebted ness. Figures here used are arbi- trary and are intended only to ex- press the principle.
 "This will help the farmer and the labor; 1t will help the mill owner, the manufactures, railroads. transportation industries, all vari- ous lines dependent upon the rail- roads, and will help solve unem- pioyment generally"
 Smith did not discuss the method by which he would put his plan into effect.
 Roosevelt Smiles
 Albany. N. F., April 14-(U. p Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt smilingly refused to comment to- day on former Governor Alfred E. Smiths address last night at . Jef- fersonian day dinner in Washing ton.
 LITTLE BOY DIES