Evening star., 1932-06-20
ROOSEVELT FORCES
CLAIM NEW YORK
Decision Expected Wednes-
day Focuses Interest
of Entire Party.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
CHICAGO, June 20.-New York with
her 81 votes became the sudden focal
point Of Democratic preconvention
skirmishing here today as leaders o.
Gov. Roosevelt looked to the Empire
State to make choice for him in the
quarrel with Alfred E. Smith.
The Roosevelt captains say the New
York decision, expected to be an
nounced soon after the arrival Of the
delegation heads here Wednesday, will
put their man lover the top"
James A. Farley of New York. head
Of the newly established Roosevelt
camp here, won't comment on the
probable decision in his State, but he
smiles and insists Roosevelt will win
on the first ballot mean that"
But there are about as many claims
as there are candidates. in Democracy s
swiftly gathering convention conflict on
this historic battle-ground, and a lot of
milling around is in prospect before the
gavel falls next Monday.
Wet Issue EclipSed.
The prohibition dispute which d.
vided the recent Republican conclave
is losing the spotlight to the presiden-
tial race among the Democrats.
Friends of Roosevelt are swapping up
the repeal substitute rejected by the
Republicans as their banner for the
1882 campaign. This proposes sub
mission of repeal amendment to the
States with control of the liquor traffic
to be returned to the States in event
Of repeal.
In the melee over the presidency, the
ancient two-thirds nomination rule Of
the Democrats is up again for its Gus
tomary round Of speculation. There
seem to be well founded reports that
some high in the Roosevelt council
would eliminate this rule in favor of a
majority nomination If their candidate
goes over the majority line and dead
lock ensues.
But that decision IS going to wait the
last minute developments on the con-
vention scene here this week-develop-
ments particularly in the New York
delegation.
John Curry. Tammany chieftain. ar
rives Wednesday Edward J. Flynn,
New York secretary of State, accom-
panied Farley here yesterday. He is a
Bronx leader where there are several
New York delegation votes. Reports OF
conference between Gov. Roosevelt
and Curry prior to the announcement
of selection Of John Mack of Pough-
keepsie as the man to place the Gov
ernor IN nomination added significance
to the speculation here over New York.
Today Rooseve't had 563 pledged and
claimed votes. Ildianas 80 will be
picked late in tha day or tomorrow. A
majority of the convention is 578 and
two-thirds is ITO.
The whirl of preconvention activity
has brought decisions on many routine
affairs. For Roosevelt, 1t was announced
that Arthur F. Mullen, NebraSka's S hard
fisted national committeeman, would be
the floor manager and Mack the NOM
mating speaker Mack placed Roose-
welt in nomination % years ago for his
first public Office, State Senator.
For Gov. Ritchie of Maryland, 1t was
announced by his campaign manager,
Robert B. Ennis of Baltimore, that Sem
ator Tydings of Maryland would place
the Governor in nomination and that
Richard F. Cleveland of Baltimore, son
of the former President would make a
seconding speech Howard Bruce, ma
tlonal committeeman of Maryland, will
be the floor manager.
William G. McAdoo, a leader Of the
advocates of Speaker Garner, is due
here tomorrow or Wednesday to join in
an active campaign. Senator Tom Con-
nally OF Texas already has been named
as the man to nominate the Speaker.
Meanwhile headquarters are taking on
plenty Of color and activity. Daily press
conferences have been arranged for by
both Farley and Jouett Shouse, chair
man Of the Democratic Executive Com
mittee, whose recommendation for post
OF permanent chairman Is being con-
tested by the Roosevelt people, with
Senator Walsh of Montana as their
candidate.
Hearings Set for Thursday.
Hearings before the Resolutions Com
mittee are planned for Thursday. On
Friday the National Committee will go
into session.
The Resolutions Committee will frame
the platform. Farley said: II do not
believe the Democratic convention will
pussyfoot on prohibition"
Sydney Flag Dedicated.
For the first time in the history of
Sydney, New South Wales, the official
nag OF the city was flown from the mast