Evening star., 1932-01-03
DEMOCRATIC SIGNS
POINT TO HARMONY
National Committee Meeting
ACCeptanCes Show Party
in ExuItant Mood.

The exultant mood In which Demo-
Gratis are approaching the 1882 presi-
Dental campaign has been disclosed in
practical fashion weeks before the Ma
tional Committee meeting here January
to select the convention city.
1t Is evident In the volume of &C
ceptances poured in on the committee
secretariat on receipt Of invitations to
the Jackson day dinner on the night Of
January 8, the traditional feast Of po-
litical oratory with which the party
ushers in each campaign season.
1t Is discernible in the widespread
talk of party harmony among Demo-
Gratis and congressional leaders, big and
little, illustrated b. references to the
success of House Democrats in organiz-
ing that body under their narrow mar
gin of control without shadow of dis
cord over such matters as committee
assignment and patronage marrtng
their partial return to political power.
Ten months ago, when the Demo-
cratic National Committee last met on
CdD Vi SIldl IluL1 OOALA u ASeoRASbb AN
adjourned in an uproar Of fiery debate
over Raskobs proposal that the COM
nittee recommend to the coming con-
yention a definite course of action as
to prohibition.
Almost on the eve of the regular COM
mittee session this month to pave the
way for that convention, it is freely
intimated that whatever further data
as to prohibition the chairman may sub
NIT. he will not, in the interests of
harmony, press for committee action.
Aside from that possible revival Of the
prohibition question as storm center
there seems little more than party
love feast in prospect as the National
Committee members gather.
Several cities seek the honor OF play
ing host to the 1882 convention, but
Chicago, with the Republican conven-
ton already bagged for late June, is &C
corded advantageous position by most
observers.
Practical questions Of dollars and
cents are apt to determine the COM
mittee's decision.
The body has had before it tentatively
fol long time counter claims OF san
Francisco on the West Coast, Atlantic
CITY on the East Coast and Cleveland
OH the lake front for preferment.
Whether any of these contenders, or
a dark horse from the Middle West like
Kansas City, will be able to outbid Chl-
cago is uncertain as final proffers from
all are awaited.
Should Chicago triumph, serious
question will present itself for the Ma
tional Committee in fixing the date OF
the convention. The Republicans are
to nominate in the latter part OF June.
There has been evident a feeling among
some Democratic leaders that If they,
too, are going to Chicago, their con-
vention should precede, not follow, that
of their political opponents.
Judgment of Democratic leaders IN
House and Senate as to when it might
be possible to complete an essential
legislative program and adjourn for
the conventions probably will have
much to do with the committees final
action. Should they believe it impos-
sible to close up ION the Hill by June
l, some othsr city than Chicago may
benefit from that fact.
There is always renewal at these pre-
convention National COMMITTEES sessions
of the Democrats of the argument ia
voring abolition of the two-thirds ma
jority nominating rule at the conven-
fiOnS