Evening star., 1932-02-08
: the Associated Press.

by the ASSOClateQ fTeSS.
The consensus of political comment
on Alfred E. Smiths statement was
as follows;
Many leaders believe the statement
likely will mean a deadlock of the
National Democratic Convention al
Chicago. Smith advocates pointed out
that ITO votes are necessary to nomi-
nate, and that 3S5 are enough tc
block nomination. Many viewed the
Smith statement as having the effect
of putting him forward as an actual
candidate. though the wording OF the
statement disavows this.
Republicans generally expressed Ella
ton, believing a fight within the Demo
cratic party would bolster Republican
chances at the election.
New York Press Differs.
In his home State of New York Smith
found the press comment mixed. The
New York Times said, 1t is not neceS-
sarv to infer that Alfred E. Smith is
suffering from a bad case of that
insidious and almost incurable disease,
presidentitis. His ambition is honor
able" and added: Even the most
blindly complacent champion of Gov.
Roosevelt must see that the entrance
of Mr.. Smith into the contest for the
presidency heavily clouds the Cover
nor's own prospects" The Times
further believes that Smiths nomlna-
ton will mark a revival OF those re-
ligious prejudices which so distressed
thoughtful men in 1928"
The Herald-Tribune noted Smiths
"frankness and directness" to be in
sharp contrast with the puSSyfootmg
and evasive tactics of Franklin D
Roosevelt
mo man." the Herald-Tribune said
will be nominated against his (Smith's)
wishes. That seems certain"
The Syracuse Post-Standard said
Smiths stand has split the Democratic
party so badly that 1t will be
able to present only the illusion of g
united front during the campaign" The
Knickerbocker Press of Albany thinks
the Smith statement will serve to rally
the Roosevelt opposition"
Sees Aid for Garner.
In the adjoining State of New Jersey
the Newark Ledger believes there can
be only one Interpretation of his
stand" and that is that Smith "is de-
termined to prevent Gov. Roosevelt
from obtaining the coveted
prize" The Ledger thinks the Smith
statement twill give great impetus to
the movement in favor of Speaker John
Garner"
In the South, where Democracy's
stronghold lies, much of the comment
was in a vein of regret that Smith
should have taken this course. 1T is
unfortunate for the Democratic party
said the Louisville Courier Journal, "for
1t certainly means a struggle between
Smith forces and Roosevelt forces
*" The statement of Smiths
availability" for the presidential can
didacy is, in the view of the Richmond
Va, Times-Dispatch, so unnecessary
as to be slightly pathetic"
The Roanoke Times said the mas
terful statement" will serve to enhance
Smiths influence and position in the
party. The Age-Herald of Birmingham
sees reason to regret Smiths pro
nouncement of receptivity' and says
the statement tears a wheel of the
Roosevelt band wagon"
If the Democrats lose the presidency
this year. says the Macon, Ga, Tele-
graph, they may date the beginning
of the end of their hopes from today
The Baltimore Sun, on the other hand
sees the statement as "a thing OF
health for the Democratic party and
for the Nation, because it promises
clash of opinion and the publication
of fire"
Held Good for Roosevelt.
At Fort Myers, Fla, the News-Press
comments: "Al does not choose tc
run, but will accept the nomination II
offered. What American would not?'
The Herald at Miami believes the
of Gov Roosevelt The great
est possible threat to his candidacy has
been lifted"
The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk notes
that the statement does not throw the
brown derby into the ring, but it does
the next thing to tit lays the derby
directly on the periphery, open side
up" The News of Greenville, S. c., is
convinced the Smith statement will be
received with satisfaction by
Democrats generally"
Press comment from other parts OF
the country is represented in the fol-
lowing widely scattered editorial ex-
cerpts:
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: mo one
can question the fact that the man
who received 100000 votes '
must be considered a serious contender
for the nomination"
Makes Race Confusing.
Des Moines Register: THE next
effect of the announcement Is to make
the Democratic race much more of a
free-for-all than it was before"
. st. Louis Globe Democrat: The
path to the nomination of Gov. Roose-
welt ought to be made easy"
Los Angeles Times: 1T (the Smith
announcemen) knocks into a cooked
hat the chances Of Gov. Roosevelt tt
obtain the nomination ="
Compared to Mooring Mast.
Kansas City Star: The announce
ment means the beginning of a des-
perate drive of the anti-Roosevelt
forces to deadlock the next Demo
cratic convention under the two-thirds
rule"
The Portland Cregonian compares
Empire State Building of which Smith
nominating airship goes adrift anc
looks for a place to moor" the paper
says. why, there stands Al, prepared
to be the sturdy. experienced anchor
age"
Waterbury, Conn, Republican
Happy Warrior Smith transfers hap
piness to the Republican leaders will
the declaration of his candidacy"
Stand Still Uncertain.
Portland. Me, Press Herald: The
Smith announcement leaves thing!
pretty much where they were before, i
still isn't certain that Al" really want!
the presidential nomination of his party
He says merely that he will accept 1t i
it GENES his way, which Is plainly no
the way a man aas aggressive as A
Smith would be expected TO expires!
himself concerning anything which III
desires very keenly.
Philadelphia Public Ledger: The ne
result of Mr.. Smiths dramatic entrance
into the presidential race is TO add K
an already confused and dScordan