Evening star., 1936-06-24
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE,

Despite Democratic zeal in minimizing
the Smith-Ely Colby Reed -Cohalan re-
volt against President Roosevelt and the
New Deal. the "quintuplet" manifesto
has undoubtedly Jared the party high
command. 1t would have been a jolt
in any event. Coming on the heels Of
the Lemke third party threat, it is ac-
companied by augmented possibilities of
peril and woe. Chairman Farley and
his co-optimists can hardly escape reck-
oning with the prospect that the cross
fire to which the Democrats are now
subjected from both their right and left
f1anks may cause the loss of sufficient
strength at least to endanger F. D. r. S
situation in certain communities where
hitherto it has ranked as unaSSailable.
Estimates vary widely as to just what
the Smith and Lemke developments may
mean in terms of actual votes. Some au-
thorities think the number is altogether
negligible. Others say 1t might be just
big enough to have balance of power
Importance. Views are divergent, too,
as to whether a coalition of Lemke,
Coughlin, Townsend and Huey Longite
forces would damage Roosevelt or Lam
don more. Should the third ticket cut
heavily into the agricultural vote, the
New Deal would be hit in a vital spot,
for it is on holding the farming West
intact that the Presidents reelection
hopes largely rest.
Notably missing among the sponsors
of the Philadelphia Schism are "consti-
tutional" Democrats like John w. Davis,
Newton D. Baker, Bernard NJ Baruch
and Lewis w. Douglas. to mention only
a few of the eminent Their absence
buoys up the Rooseveltian belief that
the walktakers by no means embrace
all prominent Democrats who do not 60
along with the New Deal in every respect.
Another significant feature noted by
party regulars is the failure of the protest
to bracket the name of Woodrow Wilson
with those of Jefferson, Jackson and
Cleveland as Democratic patron saints.
1t would hardly have been possible for
ex-senator Jim Reed to sign document
that eulogized the World War President.
But Wilsonians are not likely to develop
any enthusiasm for a movement that
so conspicuously ignores their heros
place among the party immortals.
Nobody expects Philadelphias great
galaxy of dministration-contr dele
gates to be influenced to any effective
degree by the Smith revolt. The only
untoward possibility, from the stand
point of the convention bosses. is that
some delegate, either the Ex-Governor
himself or another, might bring up the
manifesto from the floor. That could
lead to demonstrations in the galleries
and an explosion that would mar the
picture of brotherly love and unalloyed
harmony which the New Dealers are
intent upon having the conclave present,
especially to the Nationwide radio au-
dience. Quaker City Democrats have
always been partial to Smith. Between
them and Philadelphia Republicans in
the bleachers it might be possible to
stage tempestuous tribute to the hero
of the sidewalks of New York.
Late events have probably impelled
President Roosevelt to alter in important
respects the general character of his
denomination speech of acceptance.
Until this weeks thunder on port and
starboard, the speech was expected to be
confined for the most part to recital
of New Deal achievements In the fields
Of recovery. relief and reform, with an