The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-06-23
By RODNEY BUTCHER
 NEA Service Writer

NEA Service Writer
 Chicago.-The position of per- manent chairman. at a national po- litical convention, which will pro- vide the first floor fight between the forces of Governor Roosevelt and Al Smith at the democratic meeting, is one of dignity, con. spicuousness and importance.
 Hard boiled Bert" Shell, dem- onstrated as much when he ably filled the job TOT the republicans. Either Senator Thomas J. Walsh of Montana and Democratic Ex- ccutive Chairman Jouett Shouse, Roosevelt and Smith choices re- spectiveiy, probably will have a much more exciting time presiding over the democrats. Their battle will probably usher In the conven- ton.
 The Chalrman's Chance
 Although the temporary chair man delivers the party's keynote speech and the keynote speech is theoretically the convention's prize gem of partisan oratory, 1t is quite possible for the permanent chair IUdtt tV kAhc bhO AhVDVko RWefy AeSss' l the keynoter when he subsequent lly delivers his own speech before business really begins. Many thought Shell outdid Sen- ator Dickinson of Iowa, the repub- lican keynoter. His voice and his presence were superior: he gave the democrats q terrible lacing, which was whnt the. delegates rknA tr hnae
 After the Roosevelt faction had supported Shouse for permanent chairman. in fa deal which closed on Senator Barkley of Kentucky for keynoter, they learned that he was working on a speech which he refused to submit to the gov ernor and his men. Realizing Shouse's anti-Rooseveit leanings. they were partly influenced by that fact when they declared war on him and announced their support of Walsh. Yo Recognition Important
 Keeping the convention and gall lcries in order is another job of the chairman which either Shouse or Walsh can do as wcll as any one. Each can affect nn impress. sive Prussian manner with gavel In his hand. Y.
 So can Shell, who showed 1t when he handled the galleries dur ing the wholc-hearted booinR or James R. Garheld's speech against the repeal plank. Shell almost had the gallery vets eating out of his hand. .
 Recognition of delegates who want the floor occasionally be- comes of enormous importance. It did in 1912, when Chairman Ollie James recognized William Jen- ninrs Bryan, perhaps improperly, in the middle of q roll call So Fry mn could announce and explain his breaking of instructions for Champ Clark after Tammapy had suddenly, given Clark the biz New York vote. Bryan thus was al- lowed to step in against what might. well have been a stampede to Clark on that ballot. The France Example
 A permanent chairman can hardly suppress a majority hut he can he ruthless with minority. The effectiveness of his power of recognition or non-recognition was seen when Sncli refused to recog- nize ex-Senator France of Mary land, who wanted to withdraw his candidacy in favor of Coolidge.
 Shell was technically correct. no doubt, but there was Q man trying to stampede the convention and even though his chances were slim in any event he was dragged away and never had q chance, thanks to the permanent chair man.
 disputes break out among delc- gates which require rulings from the chair. Walsh, though he ac- auitted himself well. had terrible time of 1t at Madison Square Gar den in 1924. what with recogni- tions, gaveling and 'nnumerable rulings.
 The Unit Rule Battle ;
 He had to pass on various at' tempts to attack the unit rme'