Evening star., 1932-06-22
in DEMOCRATIC SESSION CROWS AS LEADERS GATHER
SM|THF0R REPEAL .
AND FOR HIMSELF
Former Candidate Urges
straightforward" Plat
form on Prohibition.
Continued From First Page.)

CONTINUED From First Page)
posed that the legalization OF light wine
and beer should be carried in the Demo-
cratic prohibition plank, and that the
Democratic party should stand squarely
for repeal of the eighteenth amend
ment, with no strings tied to the decla-
ration.
Whether he would appear personally
before the Resolutions Committee to
urge the adoption of such plank, Mr.
Smith said he had not determined.
1T may not be necessary" he said.
who will be nominated for Presl-
dent?" Smith was asked.
The convention will decide, was
the quick rejoinder.
who is your own preference for the
nomination."
Alfred E. Smith of New York" said
the former Governor with broad smile
His sally brought loud laugh and the
candidate settled down TO enjoy the
conference.
He announced unequivocally that he
stood for the election Of Jouett Shouse,
chairman of the Democratic Executive
Committee. to be permanent chairman
of the Democratic National Convention.
will you take the floor and support
Mr. Shouse?"
IF necessary. I WILL" replied Smith.
Il do not think it will be necessary. /
expect his election"
Shouse is being opposed by the Roose-
welt leaders on the ground that he has
been inimical to the Roosevelt candi-
dacy and they are offering Senator
Walsh of Montana as their candidate.
Hague to Lead Forces.
Frank Hague, Democratic boss of New
JERSEY, will be the Smith floor manager
in the convention, Mr.. Smith said.
He leads the grand march said
the former Governor, with an expansive
smile
How many of the New York dele
gates will support your nomination."
Smith was asked.
Il don't know
Has Roosevelt a chance If you are
defeated" was another question.
Il never commence to think Of de-
feat" said Mr. Smith in a fighting
voice.
will you support the presidential
nominee of this convention" was fired
at Mr.. Smith His reply may have i'm
piled threat which it has been pre-
dicted he will make when the conven-
tion gets under way. threat not to
support Roosevelt If he be the choice Of
the convention. What Smith said was
Il don't think it necessary to talk
about that at this time"
How many ballots will it take to
nominate you?" was the next question
That depends on how fast the dele
oates ran seq " said Mr. Smith
Is Against Bonus.
Asked If he favored a plank for pay
rent Of the bonus, Smith promptly an
swered No"
When some one inquired why. he
added: I'm not making a political
speech, I'm answering a question. The
why would take too long"
A questiOner asked if re wanted to
comment on the Republican prohibi-
tion plank.
No Smith answered, I'VE will have
plenty Of time to do that"
In response to an inquiry as to
whether he expected to address the
convention on any subject, Smith said
he could not tell about that at present,
because it depended on facts and sit
uations"
Senator Cordell Hull of Tennessee
supporter of Roosevelt and possible
choice for the Craftsmanship of the
Platform Committee Of the conven-
ton, also arrived here today. Hull
said that he believed the Democrats
viii get together on a prohibition
plank He himself has been a pro-
hibitionist in the past.
May Head Committee.
There is no reason for all this ex-
citement over prohibition" said the
Senator, 'or to make it a main issue
in the campaign. If the Democratic
party does not pay more attention to
the economic problems which confront
this country than the Republicans did
In their convention and platform, the
voters ought to kick the Democrats into
outer darkness"
Senator Hull would not say whether
he was to be chairman of the Resolu-
items Committee or not. but intimated
that he had it under serious considera-
ton.
Unless there Is some extraordinary
reason why he should be destroyed. q
said Senator Hull, and some other man
substituted for him. then Gov. Roose-
velt should be nominated. The disposi-
ton of the voters is that Roosevelt
should have the nomination for Presi-
dent"
He added: This convention should
not be another Madison Square Garden
affair. No man for personal reasons
or for other minor considerations
should cause the disruption of the
Democratic party
Another Roosevelt supporter who
reached Chicago today is Senator
Wheeler OF Montana.
Long Offers Plank.
Senator Huey Long of Louisiana, put
out his own prohibition plank. which
he will submit to the Resolutions Com
mittee for its consideration. 1t follows
The Democratic party favors SUBJ
mitting to the people Of the United
States in accordance with article OF
the Constitution of the United States
the proposition for the repeal Of the
eighteenth amendment, so that by such
processes described in the Constitution
OF the United States. the people may
have opportunity as they desire to set
tie the question"
James A. Farley, Roosevelt field
marshal, when informed Mr. Smith hal
predicted that Smith would be nomi-
mated merely reiterated his own fore
cast that Roosevelt would be the choice
Of the convention on the first ballot.
Farley, who is Democratic State
chairman of New York and a delegate
at large to the convention, said he
would meet Curry at the train, when
he arrives tonight.
He said that he himself would have
no objection to Mayor Jimmy" Walker
on the Resolutions Committee as New
York's representative if the delegation
wants to put the mayor in that posi-
ton. Farley again said that the Roose-
velt forces would fight Shouse for per-
manent chairman.