Evening star., 1932-01-31
BY GEORGE VAN SLYKE.

NEW YORK, January 30.-Gov.
Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York
has held his lead through his first
week in the open as an avowed can
didate for the Democratic nomination
for President, even though he has
come into direct conflict with the de-
termined opposition of the allied forces
in the national organization which are
bent on halting his boom as quickly
as possible.
Since informing the North Dl+ota
Democrats last week that he Would
enter their primaries, Vermont and
Wisconsin have declared for him and
Washington has indicated its prefer
enCe. Both Vermont and Wisconsin
we're credited with leaning strongly to
Alfred E Smith and their indorse-
ment without reservation has had an
impressive effect on other States. Fully
a dozen Roosevelt States have made
known they are preparing to take a
stand for the New Yorker within the
next few weeks.
Seemingly well satisfied with the
drift his way. Gov. Roosevelt gives no
hint of altering his plan Of action,
although being urged to go forth on
a Nation wide pre-convention battle
for delegates. If the policy now pre-
vailing is followed. the country is TO
witness a new brand of presidential
campaigning.
X
The old ballyhoo methods are out OF
date, it seems. The Roosevelt man
ayers are content to wait for States
to come to him instead of following
the old system Of engaging upon ma
tional scramble for delegates. The
plan has its advantages. The candl-
date avoids the risk of entangling local
alliances and faCtional disturbances.
He takes a position Of extreme con-
fidence, which inspires his following,
and he gets over the trouble OF having
to declare his stand on pressing ma
tional issues, such as the League OF
Nations and prohibition. Mr.. Roose-
welt has not yet declared himself on
any issue and yet his boom goes mer-
rily on its way.
Until the opposition shows signs OF
making more headWay than 1t has 10
date the Roosevelt managers propose
going along as they have been. 1helF
system appears to be battling to the
onposition. which is asking whether he
is a more skillful politician than mas
been recognized
The Governors strength is now put
down at about 500 delegates, maybe a
little more or less. At any rate, ne
now holds more than one-third OF the
voting power of the National ConVen-
tion and therefore has the veto. HIS
opponents have yet to get that veto IL
they are to block Roosevelt. In other
words. he is in a position already 10
block the nomination of any candldate
who stands up against him and tnoSe
opposing him have fight ahead 10
get their ohe-third.
Mr.. Roosevelt has reached TINS en-
yiable position, his managers point OUT
without going after delegate, entering
a State or making promise. Inc
movement for his nomination has come
from the State organizations, acting on
their own and not as a result OF propa- :
Uanda and solicitation, If his method
has been good enough to carry him half
Wav without a struggle, his friends insist
it should have a further try-out.
x
There is no present intention OF Or
panizing a national RooSeVelt-tor-PreS-
ident Committee, as many have de-
manded since the Governor stepped out
a week ago as a candidate. Hlgh-poW-
cred salesmen are not to be sent on tie
road At the most, the intention is not
to 90 into more than three or four
State contests. His candidacy ana MS
future are to be entrusted TO the StaIe
organizations. Pleased with the con-
fidence shown in them and delighted not
tn have a super authority set up over
them. the State leaders who favor
Roosevelt are straining every nerve 10
make good, apparently with success. 1t
is a new system, but it may work. Even
woodrow Wilson and Champ Clark,
John w. Davis and Al Smith mad 10
be sold to the country by elaborate
and expensive committees and sWarms
of workers"
AS the Roosevelt plan Of campaign
has unfolded, the strategy OF the oppo-
sition to his nomination has been re-
vealed in several moves this week. The
party is to be split into as many units
and faVorite-Son delegations as possible
in the effort to stop the Governor. Mr.
Roosevelt is going forth on a new ad-
venture; his political enemies are re-
viving the old-time tactics which dis
rupted the Democratic conventions III
1912, 1920 and 1924.
Newton D. Baker hastily took the leap
necessary to keep him in the race this
week when he renounced the League OF
Nations as controversial issue 1or tne
campaign; offered himself as rally
ing point for wavering state leaders
who like him but hate the League, and
took his stand with the allied forces
His re-entry as an available candidate
is distinctly an anti-Roosevelt move
ment. He is now counted as the run
ner-up in the race; the possible favorite
if Roosevelt can be blocked and a COM
promise or dark horse candidate chosen
| To reach that position Mr. Baker had
| to get rid of the League. which he has
| championed for years as successor tt
| Woodrow Wilson and which lies close tc
his heart. But he did it. He Is back
| in the race.
Gov. Ritchie of Maryland the other
candidate already in the field, has be-
/ gun to speed up this weel through his
big committee and his objective is said
to be 100 delegates. He has his own
Gtatp a Drornise of a handful nf SeIe-