The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-04-23
SMITH DOOMED
AS 1886 RIVAL
OF ROOSEVELT
Big Business Behind Move
to Get Brown Derby
Back Into Ring.
BY LYLE c. WILSOl,
United Press stan Correspondent

WASHINGTON. April 23.-Word
has reached We capital that some Of
the eastern ! hiking and brokerage
fraternity would like to see Alfred
E. Smith oppose Franklin d. Roose-
welt for President next year.
II probably would make no
difference 10 anti-R o o S I
fnanciers whether Mr.. Smith stopped
the New Deal in the Democratic
national convention or in the No
vember election. Wall Street has
many counts against the admins
tration. Among these are:
I. Substitution Of expensive work
relief for the cheap dole.
.. New Deal labor policies as de-
veloped so far and projected.
3. The Roosevelt effort to abolish
public utility holding companies and
the possibility that it may lead
finally to a compromise tax on
utility holding company income.
That. in turn, might lead TO special
taxation of all holding company in
come.
4. The EcCles bill to create
central or political bank on the
foundation of the Federal Reserve
System. That would take from
private banks control of credit in
this country.
Practical politicians do not con-
slider the Smith-fo President idea
feasible nor even remotely likely.
A realignment Of political parties
such as a Roosevelt-S Smith contest
would imply is more probable in
1940 than in 1886.
Formation of an anti-ROosevelt
coalition under leadership of
famous Democrat does not flt into
the plans of Republican leaders. A
group of midwesterners is Organiz-
ing to put the party right with the
Farm Belt and, perhaps, to gain the
1886 nomination for one who votes
west of the Alleghanies.
Midwest G. o. p. Hopeful
John d. M. Hamilton, Republican
national committeeman for Kansas;
Harrison Spangler, Iowa committee
man: Arthur M Hyde of Missouri,
and Patrick j. Hurley of Oklahoma,
both members of the Hoover cabinet,
and Col. Frank Knox, Chicago pub
Usher, are quietly arranging for
Midwest political pow WOW at which
it is hoped to achieve a reblrth OF
plains states RepublicaniSm.
As Republican presidential STRAIT
egg develops it is evident that the
party high command will incline to
limit its choice to the Midwest
Former President Hoover does not
figure in the prayers of most party
leaders for a 1886 miracle man.
If Mr.. Smith could be persuaded
to lead a conservative bolt from the
New Deal the Republicans probably
would profit less than if Senator
Huey P. Long or some other left
winger beckOned the radicals out
of the Roosevelt camp. Republican
strategy is to keep the compare
lively conservative elements which
remained loyal in 1882 and 1884,
and to gain some liberal support
which must be won away from Mr.
Roosevelt.
Smith Not BOlter
It is argued in behalf of Mr. Smith
that he would poll heavily in New
York and attract a big vote in other
great northern and eastern states.
Big business, big banking and the
brokers would be expected to regain
confidence at sight of the Brown
Derby.
But to expect Republican to &C
cept Mr.. Smiths leadership against
Roosevelt is too much, and, if Mr..
Smith led a Conservatiye-Demo-
cratic third party he probably
would improve New Deal chances
Anyway, Mr.. Smith has not been
party bolter.
Visitors gathered here for the an
nual meeting of the American So
ciety of Newspaper Editors reported
variOuSly on political prospects.
Some New Workers had heard Wall
Streets talk of Mr.. Smith. From
upstate New York came reports
that MIR. Roosevelt's prestige was
furnishing, but probably would shine
again next year because of relief
expenditures and Republican party
troubles.
Michigan Democrats Upset
Michigan editors reported the
Democratic party diSjointed there.
Kansas spokesman said their state
was anti-New Deal and hot for a
shot at Mr.. Roosevelt in 1886 Okla
Romans were critical of the kill-the-
pigs, plow- under he-cropS New Deal
farm economy.
Texas was more kindly and one
free-hand estimate was made that
in Houston Mr.. Roosevelt would poll
90 per cent of the electorate if an
election were held today.
Missouri was rather critical of the
New Deal. but deeply suspicious of
the EaStern-Conservative wing of
the Republican party An Old Guard
Republican nominee or even a
doubtful fastener would have hard
going in that part of the country.
HIGH BL000 PRESSURE