Evening star., 1932-02-01

ceedingly difficult, if not impossible. TO
defeat If put forward by the Democratic
party as its candidate for President.
| The times call for courage. frankness
| and ability in those who occupy high
offices of trust and responsibility, and
Mr.. Baker possesses all three qualities
in abundant measure"
With a tribute to the winning per-
sonahty and sound grasp of public
questions" possessed by former Gov.
Byrd, the Roanoke World-New Demo
cratiC) says: The invitation extended
to him to address a Joint session of the
Kentucky Legislature at some future
date constitutes significant recognition
OF the Virginian's status as a candidate
for the Democratic presidential nomi-
nation, an honor for which he has been
put forward by official action Of the
General Assembly of Virginia"
While some view the position of for
mer Gov. Smith of New York as a mys-
terry, the Minneapolis Journal Cindepen-
dent Republican, advises: IF he really
wants Gov. Roosevelt nominated. Mr.
Smith will have to say so in plain Ian
guage soon. If he does not say so. the
Democrats Of the Nation must conclude
that he prefers another nomination
The draft Smith promoters will have
license to assume that their efforts are
not running counter to their fayorite's
wishes"
Giving attention to the prices being
received by public men for their literary
contributions, the San Francisco Chron-
icle independent Republican, con-
cludes: Some of the genial ex-gov-
ernor's words are priceless What for
instance, would not any one Of the can
didateS for the Democratic nomination
pay for word Of Endorsement from
Alp"
Roosevelt is far in the lead" ac-
cording to the Charleston (S. c. Eve
ming Post (Democratic). but he is not
making the progress toward the neces-
sary two-thirdS vote Of the convention
which he made In the early stages of
his acclaim. That Smith can stop him
is reasonably certain. That he will in
the end break his former close associate
and friend is not yet certain. Al Smith
Is an able politician, and more. He
ought to be able to see that the presi-
dency will never be his, and perhaps he
does. But 1t is not easy for any man
who has looked close range at the gilt
tering prize to take his eyes from 1t,
and he may think that he could win on
a second trial If he has that belief,
he will make a tremendous fight in the
convention, but he will fail in the end,
leaving some deep wounds"
Smiths power within the party is so
great that his opposition would easily
upset the New Workers. chances" AYERS
the Youngstown Vindicator Gndepen-
dent DemOcratic), while the Providence
Journal independently concludes 1T
is too soon to predict how New Eng
land will line up at Chicago but AIS
enthusiastic friends in this corner of
the country evidently do not propose to
let Gov. Roosevelt walk Off unopposed
with the nomination under his arm"
Smiths hope of getting elected"
states the Dallas Journal independent
Democratic), would depend upon other
States than those Of the South, which
Is less solid than it used to be. That
Is true, II regrettable. Smith might be
able to win the presidency without the
support Of the South. His personality
still appeals and he still has a way
that wins and holds followers"