Evening star., 1932-02-08
Smith Opposition Seen
Leaders From South and West Feel He Was Given
Fall Recognition in 192S-Easferners
Indicate Support.

and impartial statement. Mr.. Smith
says plainly he will make no move to
secure delegates, To have gone fur
ther would have been to say he did not
wish to be President. and no American.
believe, can truthfully say that He
could not in his position support any
one candidate"
Sees Roosevelt Block.
Senator George. Democrat, Georgia:
1t must be obvious to Mr.. Smith that
he will not be nominated by the next
Democratic convention. That being the
case. it is no longer possible to escape
the conclusion that his stated willing
ness to lead the party in le32 is part
of definite campaign TO block the
nomination of other candidates
especially Gov. Roosevelt.
Senator Coolidge, Democrat. Massa-
chuSettS: Gov. Smiths statement
clearly indicates that he is q receptive
candidate for denomination and leaves
his candidacy in the hands OF his
friends. If Gov. Smiths name is before
the convention, Massachusetts can be
counted on to support him Loyalty as
in the past"
Senator Fess of Ohio. chairman of
the Republican National Committee:
The statement was not unexpected.
1t set the stage for the free piay of
those forces which in recent years have
attempted with increasing emphasis
and with some success to dominate the
Democratic party. A convention
OF Democrats so constituted that their
leader II he cannot win the nomina-
ton for himself nevertheless can name
the candidate, will provide a show
worth seeing"
Gov. George White of Ohio: Mr.
smith has done only what is the
privilege OF every American citizen. I
feel that his statement has cleared the
atmosphere regarding his position in
the forthcoming campaign"
Gov. Pollard of Virginia: Mr.. Smith
mas made q great mistake"
James Farley. New York State Demo-
cratic chairman: Gov. Smith has a
perfect right to issue the statement" >"
In New York Tammany leaders
were uncommunicative. John F. Curry
leader of Tammany. said he would not
comment until he saw the statement
in the paper. Edward ]. Flynn. secre-
tary of State and Bronx Democrats
leader, smiled and said nothing.
Norris Foresees Failure.
Senator George W. Norris, RepubIi-
can. Nebraska: The Democratic marty
has remarkable record for making n
damn fool of itself at a crucial time
when it has the world by the tail and
a downhill pull. 1t is expected to
repeat its usual performance. This is
truly Democratic year and the cleo
ton would be a cinch for the Demo-
Gratis II they could be harmonious"
lsidore B. DOckweiler, Democratic
national committeeman for Cali
fornia: The announcement of for
mer Gov Alfred E. Smith of New York
VIII cause no change in the plan for
delegation from California pledged
to support Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The organization men who are sup
porting Roosevelt are the same ones
who supported Smith four years ago."
Michael L. Igoe, Democratic national
committeeman from Illinois: "Al Smith
would sweep the State if he were to
file in the Illinois preferential primary.
Smith is the outstanding man in
America today who speaks the Ian
guage Of the people. He's always been
for the underdog and this campaign is
fight for the underdog. Long before
he was generally mentioned as a candi-
date I found them talking about him.
Mayor Anton J. Cermak of Chicago:
We have agreed to support Senator
Lewis, and 1 think the delegation from
Illinois will be pledged to him.
Cox Sees Chance for fest.
Former Gov James NJ. Cox of Ohio:
Gov. Smith, of course. is moved by the
urge of his friends. No man in public
life since Blaine and Bryan has had
such large personal following. Natu-
rally there is a feeling that he is en-
titled to another chance. He has opened
the way to determine just how wide
spread that is.
Samuel l. Kessler, State committee
man of Essex County, N. J.: If Smith
is nominated, 1 believe he will have a
ss,lendid chance of being elected l do
not believe he has lost the support of a
single one of the 5000, 900 people who
voted for him in 1928, and their votes
alone will be sufficient to elect him this
time
Col. William ii. Kelly, chairman of
the Essex County Democratic Commit
tee: If Alfred E. Smith is nominated, I
feel certain that he will carry New Jer-
sey and the Nation.
o. G. Christgau, assistant TO DR.. F..
Scott Mcbride. general superintendent
of the Anti-Saloon League: The Anti
Saloon League will oppose the nomina-
ton or election of Smith or any other
wet candidate. Undoubtedly Mr.. Raskob
and other strong vets will be for Smith
in the Democratic Convention. They
may get him on the ticket, but will
never get him in the White House.
The people have too much common
sense to elect any presidential candidate
who favors liquor. Better business and
more jobs cannot be brought back by
the return of their greatest enemy,
booze.