The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-06-23
TAKES own Time IN
MAKING DEC|SIONON
PRESIDENTIAL RACE
Roosevelt Camp Claims Major.
ity Without Empire State
Contingent
preliminary FIGHT RACES
Strenuous Battle to Break An.
Gent TWo-Thirds Rule is
Declared in Prospect

Chicago, June 23.-(P-With Tam
many taking its own time inf deciding
whom it will back for the Democratic
presidential nomination, the support
ers of Franklin D. Roosevelt looked
more and more favorably Thursday
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
81 votes, the Roosevelt camp claims
a majority of the delegates. But
whether it could hold this strength
in a battle to lay the old rule aside
was a question that aroused much
speculation.
ponement of Tammanys decision
until the New York delegation can
gather in caucus Sunday spurred the
Roosevelt forces to peak of activ-
ity. 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.
The situation was much to Tam
many's liking. AS the Jig saw puz-
zle of convention voting was fitted
together, New York's "a ballots made
UP the key piece. With them Roose-
welt might reasonably hope to gather
behind him the two-thirds vote nee
essary in past conventions to NOM
mate candidate. But if they should
go elsewhere, the anti-Roosevelt
leaders were confident they could de-
feat the New York executive.
Roosevelt Group Active
Even before Currys caucus an
nouncement was made, the Roosevelt
group had placed itself in strategic
position to wage battle against the
two-thirds rule. LouiSiana'S Huey
Long, who unlike most southern
Democrats Is anxious to see the old
rule go, was shifted from the resolu-
tions to the rules committee on the
tentative slate drawn at Roosevelt
headquarters.
southern wing of the party that In
the past has insisted upon retaining
the two-thirds rule.
This was factor of much concern
to the Roosevelt camps considera-
ton of getting behind an attack up
on the rule. The New York COVER
nor's bare majority includes virtually !
all the southern delegates. How
many of these would vote to retain |
the rule, although supporting Roose- |
welt for the nominal, On. was QueS- |
ton receiving much attention.
Another doubtful question was how
large a vote would be necessary to
discard the rule. The Rooseveltians
claimed simple majority would be
sufficient. The opposition contended
a two-thirds vote must be cast to
do so.
Plan Craftsmanship Fight
While this deep-seated controversy
was piling up troubles for the Demo- !
Gratis, leaders of both factions were |
making preparations for the impend-
ing battle over the position of perma-
nent chairman. The Roosevelt group |
wants Senator Walsh of Montana.
who presided in 1924. 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
which gave Senator Barley of Ken
lucky, Roosevelt supporter, the post
of keynote speaker.
This is row involving all the an
taeonism bound up in the battle for
and against Roosevelt. It will be
settled almost at the outset of the
convention and may provide a test
vote by which the important ballots
to follow may be gagged. l.
Tentatively chosen members OF the
resolutions committee, which Will
draft the party platform were called
together Thursday to begin that I'M
portant work.
AS the platform sizes up now. it
will include a declaration for sub
mission to the people OF constitu-
tional amendment to repeal the 18th
amendment. A row looms on wheth-
er the convention should simply vote
to give the nation an opportunity to
consider the repeater or take stand
itself against the prohibition amend
ment. |,
Some controversy is expected. toe !,
on the tariff plank.