Evening star., 1932-06-23
ROOSEVELT'S AIDES
BEGIN MANEUVERS
Tammany's Attitude of Un.
certainty Also Spurs
Goveuor's Backers.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
CHICAGO, June 23.-With Tammany
taking its own time In deciding whom
it will back for the Democratic presi-
dental nomination, the supporters of
Franklin D. Roosevelt looked more and
more favorably today upon an effort
to kick the ancient and revered two
thirds rule right out of the coming
convention.
With or without New York's potent
"a votes, the Roosevelt camp claims a
majority OF the delegates. But whether
it could hold this strength in a battle
and a rousing fight 1t would be-to lay
the old rule aside was a question that
aroused much speculation.
Certain 1t is, however, that the post
ponement of Tammanys decision until
the New York delegation can gather in
caucus on Sunday spurred the Roose-
welt forces to peak of activity. James
A. Farley, manager of the New York
Governors campaign, set aside the first
few hours of busy day for talk with
John F., Curry. Tammany lord, who had
just arrived to take position smilingly
at the cccter OF the pre-convention
whirl.
Tammany Likes Situation.
The situation was much to TAM
many's liking. As the jig saw puzzle
OF convention voting was fitted to-
gether New York's "a ballots made uu
the key piece With them Roosevelt
might reasonably hope to gather be-
hind him the two-thirds vote necessary
in past conventions to nominate a can
didate. But, If they should go else.
where. the Roosevelt leaders were
confident they could defeat the New
York Executive.
Even befofe Curry's caucus announce
ment was made, the Roosevelt group
had placed itself in strategic posi-
ton to wage a battle against the two
thirds rule. Louisianas Huey Long
who unlike most Southern Democrats
Is anxious to see the old rule go, was
shifted from the Resolutions to the
Rules Committee on the tentative slate
drawn up at Roosevelt headquarters.
Generally speaking. it has been the
Southern wing Of the party that in
the past has insisted upon retaining
the two-thirds rule. Unable to COM
mand a sectional majority the Dixie
delegates through it have held power
. full veto power in the selection Of presi-
dental nominees.
South Presents Question.
This was factor Of much concern
to the Roosevelt camps consideration
of getting behind an attack upon the
rule The New York Governors bare
majority includes virtually all the
Southern delegates. How many OF
these would vote to retain the rule
although supporting Roosevelt for the
nomination, was question receiving
much attention.
Another doubtful question was how
large vote would be necessary to dis
card the rule The Rooseveltians claimed
a simple majority would be sufficient
The opposition contended twO-third:
vote must be cast to do so.
While this deep-seated controversy
was piling up troubles for the Demo
Gratis. leaders of both factions were
making preparations for the impending
battle over the position Of permanent
chairman. The Roosevelt group wants
Senator Walsh Of Montana. who presid-
ed in 1924. to have the post. The Smith.
Raskob combine backs Jouett Shouse
chairman OF the National Executive
Committee. Smith and Raskob claim
Roosevelt agreed upon Shouse some
months ago as part of compromise