Evening star., 1932-06-26
LEWIS OUT OF RACE
FOR PRESIDENCY
Roosevelt Expects Support
of 20 of Released Illinois
Delegates.
tContinued From First Page.)

block of delegates. 80 in all, from Texas
and California, with the suggestion that
If Speaker Garner desired it the NOM
ination for Vice President would be his
A caucus of the Texas delegation was
held. 1t is known that some of The
Texans are anxious to get aboard the
Roosevelt band wagon, wind up the
convention and go home.
Undoubtedly Roosevelt scouts are out
seeking to get other favorite son dele
cations, among them the Virginia dele
cation and the Ohio delegation, per-
haps with the vice-presidential NOM
ination as bait.
Roosevelt headquarters made public
kilograms they had received from
Seattle. Utica, Kewanee. Ill, and Syra-
cuse saying a drive was on to get men
and women all over the country to send
100 900 kilograms to the convention de-
manding the nomination of Al Smith,
to impress the delegates when they are
delivered. Gov. Ely of Massachusetts
was reported to be back of the tele-
gram drive.
Tammany May Follow.
Rumors were circulated following a
visit to Mr.. Farley by John Carey,
former Tammany member of the House
and at present lieutenant Of John F.
Curry, Tammany head, to the effect
that Tammany saw the light at last
and that 1t would declare within short
time for Roosevelt, perhaps after the
meeting Of the New York delegation,
slated for tomorrow afternoon.
The number of delegate votes that
Roosevelt will get from the retirement
of Senator Lewis as a presidential
candidate, added to those already con-
ceeded to him, bring the Roosevelt
total close to the 700 mark, using the
estimates given out by the Smith nead-
quarters and over that mark If the
Roosevelt estimates are used. To nomi-
nate under a two-thirds rule ITO votes
are necessary.
Under the circumstances, two-thirds
rule or majority rule, it would take a
political miracle to prevent the nomi-
nation of the New York Governor. No
miracles are expected here. The an
nouncement of the withdrawal of
Senator Lewis may ease the embattled
democracy out of a difficult situation,
particularly If 1t is followed by band
wagon rush to Roosevelt. It may aid
In bringing about measure of harmony
in the party that has for "a hours ap-
peared an impossibility.
How much longer, under all the
circumstances, other favorite son can
didates will be able to hold their dele
gates in line is a problem. There IS
no doubt whatever that a majority Of
the Missouri delegation would be glad
to 90 to the New York Governor.
Senator James A. Reed, however, today
at a conference of the Missouri dele
gates, made them stand up and be
counted" and they all rose when he
asked how many would vote for him.
There are Roosevelt delegates in other
favorite son delegations, including
Texas, Ohio, Virginia and even Okla
homa.
Announcement by Lewis.
Senator Lewis made his announce
ment of withdrawal in a telegram to
V Y Dallman, Springfield publisher.
He said that his desire to obtain relief
for the people through legislation now
pending in Congress made his appear
ance at the convention impossible. He
continued:
please say to delegation that has
honored me with vote as choice for
President that I release each and all
from all obligations. I send my CRATE
ful acknowledgement Of their honors
done me. I will not assume to direct
or even suggest any individual or joint
action for the delegation. I beg them
to carefully weigh their responsibility
and do everything that can serve the
true demands of the democracy Of
America and meet the needs of the
people of our Nation. I am your
humble and obedient servant"
Immediately Mr.. Farley issued q
brief statement saying that he was, OF
course, very much pleased" and added
he was confident that this would give
opportunity to friends of Gov. Roosevelt
in the Illinois delegation who were
loyal to Senator Lewis, now to vote
for Roosevelt on the first ballot.
Two-Thirds Rule War Goes On.
Although overshadowed in interest
here by the Lewis announcement, the
projected fight over the old two-thlrdS
rule is waged briskly tonight. The
anti Roosevelt Democrats, opposing the
adoption of a majority rule for election
of candidates for President and Vice
President, are planning to throw an
array of Democratic talent into the
debate on the rule, If 1t reaches the
convention floor, including Alfred E.
Smith, John w. Davis, James M. Cox,
If he is here, not to mention Senator
Carter Glass Of Virginia. They hope
by sheer weight Of argument, coming
from the foremost leaders of the party
in the past, to sway the delegates to
vote down a majority rule and vote up
the old two-thirds rule.
Appeals are being made to the dele
gates from the Southern States, on the
ground that the two-thirds rule has
been the safeguards of that section of
the country for many years. But so far
there have been few II any defections
in the Roosevelt ranks In the South.
Senator Glass was reported TO be send
ing word to leaders in the South ask
ing them to get in touch with the dele
gates and to demand that they vote
against abrogation of the old rule.
Statements for and against the dis
card of the two-thirds rule flew fast
and furious during the day.
Roosevelt Views Expressed.
In support of the proposed majority
rule a statement was issued by James
M. Farley, representing the views Of
the Roosevelt camp Mr.. Farley made
It clear that the statement had been
submitted to Gov. Roosevelt before it
was made public. It had been ap-
proved by two Of the Roosevelt leaders,
Senator Thomas j. Walsh OF Montana
the Roosevelt choice for permanent
chairman, and Senator Hull OF Ten
nessee, one from the West and the
other from the South. In his stfSs-
ment Mr.. Farley said it was grossly
inaccurate" to say that the friends OF
Roosevelt have decided to "abrogate"
the two-thirds rule. He argued that
there Is no two-thirds rule at present
binding the convention which opens
here Monday He continued:
THE two-thirds rule can only be I'M
posed upon the convention by de-
liberate and affirmative action OF the
convention itself Our contention Is
that this affirmative action should not
be taken-that the two-thirds rule mas
been outgrown and has been proouc-
tive of disruption even to the extent OF
undoubtedly running all chance OF
Democratic success in 1924.
That We should again deliberately
lay ourselves open to the disaster OF
hTy n6nrlfinr the