Evening star., 1935-10-27
FOLLOWERS GIVE
TOWNSEND VOTES
Six to Seven Millions
Pledged at First Conven-
ton on Plan.
Nv the Associated Press.

Dy TIC ASoONIdtCu EICoos
CHICAGO. October 26-Dr. Francis
E. Townsend's pension plan followers
today conferred on the slight 6S-year-
old California doctor and his princi.
pal aide authority to place their votes
in the next congressional and national
elections wherever they wish.
The action, voted in the first ma
tional convention of Townsend plan"
enthusiasts. gave the Long Beach ply
sician and r. E. Clements. 42-year-old
secretary of the campaign, political
army estimated by their associates at
between six and seven million men
and women.
Sheridan Downey Of California,
Upton Sinclair's running mate on the
ill-starred "E. P. l. c." ticket in the
1884 elections, told the 6,067 registered
delegates nobody can indorse any
congressional candidates except ma
tional headquarters"
Adopted With Whoops.
The resolution Downey proposed was
adopted with whoops. Only a few
scattered noes" came from the crowd
of oldsters, many of them over 60,
the age at which under the plan they
would retire on 5000 a month from
the Government. The money would
be raised by 20 per cent transactions
tax"
The final right of Endorsement and
support of any candidates must rest
with the national headquarters, whose
approval shall carry with it the full
Townsend support, and precludes any
Townsend club or organization or Of
flee from supporting any one else, -
the resolution said.
Followers of the doctor voted at the
same time to steer clear of any EN-
barrassing alliances" with either po-
litical party, or ANY new political
party"
10-Cent Levy Voted.
How to finance the drive brought a
stormy dispute, but the convention
voted to levy dues of 10 cents per
member monthly, on each club, rather
than on individuals.
Under their political marching or
ders the Townsendites would stay en-
tirely out Of municipal or county elec-
tions.
The mild hammered, gray haired
physician who proposes the Townsend
plan as cure for unemployment and
crime took no part in the business
session of his first national conven-
tion. Clements spoke once, urging
passage Of resolution by which the
Townsend Clubs voted not to buy any
literature on the subject except from
national Offices.
A third resolution left 1t to the re-
gional directors to certify official
speakers. Judge A. c. Routhe of Los
Angeles urged it so the clubs won't
be drawn into political traps"
Leaders of the campaign DR.. Town.
send launched in his Long Beach,
Calf, home less than two years ago
assured the convention delegates to-
day that the system of 5000 per month
pensions would be put across" no
later than 1886.
mo power on earth can stop the
Townsend plan." Representative Mar
tin S. Smith, Democratic Represent
ative from Washingtons third district,
proclaimed before the crowded hall.
The Townsendites, with 6,067 regis
tered delegates, met in the ball room
of a downtown hotel, an6 made it ring
with old-time hymns, patriotic airs,
special Townsend choruses and the old
favorites and cheers for their leaders.
Roth Smith and CjilmOlIr Young a
Townsend organizer in Los Angeles.
told the hopeful grandparents and
great-grandparents the next Congress
could be pursuaded to enact the Town
send bill.
Smith drew cheers when he said
"the greatest Of humanitarian Presi-
dents, President Roosevelt" would
sign the bill. in Smiths opinion, II
Congress passes it.