The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-02-25
BY CLAPPER
United Press stan Correspondent
(CopvriQht. 1922. hv unIted pressl

NEW YORK, Feb. 25.-Former
Governor Alfred E. Smith revealed
in conversation with the United
Press today that he intends to 60
TO the Democratic national con-
vention at Chicago in June.
There, this man who is casting
a rapidly growing shadow along the
Democratic path, will be in position
to take personal leadership of his
forces now organizing to prevent
nomination Of Governor Franklin
D. Roosevelt of New York.
Smiths decision forecasts a fin
ish fight between these two popular
sons of New York state. They have
been political friends and allies for
years, but now they face each other
in a struggle that may become his
toric.
Smith is putting on again his
war paint.
Silence in AIS Office
He is about to make an important
political utterance on prohibition,
the first isnce he recently announced
he was willing to make the fight
if the Democratic convention so
desired.
He is preparing to speak for the
Raskob home-rule plan to return
liquor control to the states, before
the National Democratic Club here
Saturday.
There is an ominous silence in
Smiths th~irty-second floor office of
the Empire state building. I was
the first newspaper correspondent
he had received since he announced
his willingness to be a candidate
more than two weeks ago. He re-
fuses under any circumstances to
elaborate that announcement.
Smith, in 1923, stayed in Albany
instead of attending the Houston
convention, where he was nominated
on the first ballot. His decision to
attend the Chicago convention vas
taken as indicating he foreseeS a
hard fight both over the candidate
and over prohibition, and wishes to
be on hand to lead his forces per-
sonally.
Doesn't Attack Roosevelt
Smiths attitude toward Roose-
welt is one of the most mysterious
chapters in Democratic politics. re
did not discuss it with me. What
l report on this subject was gath
cred entirely from some of his close
friends.
They believe Smith regards
Roosevelt as an unWise presiden-
tial choice. One of them told me
that in numerous conversations he
had never heard Smith utter an UNI
kind word about Roosevelt, and that
he bears no personal i'll will to-
ward the man who placed him in
nomination before two national
conventions, and who gave him the
title of "the happy warrior"
The explanation advanced by
most of Smiths friends is that he
does not regard Roosevelt as the
strongest man the party could
name. They do not believe Smith
himself expects to be nominated.
Some expect him, at the proper
time, to forswear all claim and name
his preference. They think this
may be either Newton D. Baker of
Ohio or Speaker John N. Garner of
Texas.
Like Garner and Baker
Some of the Smith group are
watching Garner closely as a new
potential figure. They like his easy
personality which some of them sug-
gest is somewhat like Smiths.
On the other hand, they regard
Baker as having one of the finest
minds in America.
They would be happy with either
as a candidate. Both are rated in
their minds as the two who today
stand nearest the nomination.
If Roosevelt fails Of nomination,
"a - .-.T