Evening star., 1936-06-12

in terms OF gold and convertible Into
gold" The platform made no mention
OF gold. But the Governor added, Il
recognize. however, that the second
requisite must not be made effective
until and unless 1t can be done with
out penalizing our domestic economy
and without injury TO our producers of
agricultural products and other raw
materials"
Here was q frm stand, taken by
Gov. Landon in advance of his nomi-
nation upon two of the most contro-
Versial planks in the Republican plat
form. over which the Resolutions
Committee OF the convention had
struggled for two days. There was
surprised silence, and then q burst
OF applause.
Landon further interpreted the
pis tform to mean that in supporting
the merit system in civil service, every
position in the Federal Government
should be included in that system be-
low the rank OF assistant secretary OF
the ma jor departments OF Govern
ment and the entire Post Once De-
psrtment.
With these reservations and inter-
preta tions clearly placed before them.
the convention went right ahead and
nominated Landon for President and
liked it.
Landon's telegram, declaring in favor
OF a gold standard eventually, pre-
vented an open fight. it Is reported, on
the floor OF the convention.
Chester Rowell, chairman OF the
California delegation, sat in his chair
on the floor Of the convention last
night, prepared to start the attack on
the platform plank dealing with cur
rency, as reported by the Resolutions
Committee. He had in his possession
q telegram from Herbert Hoover, de-
nouncing q platform plank that
omitted promise OF the gold standard
Hoover TO whom the convention had
given a great ovation the night before.
knowledge that LAndon had made
his own personal platform on currency
after the Resolutions Committee had
rejected his ideas, alone stopped q row
OF major proportions on the floor, it Is
said. Where that fight would have led
1t Is impossible to say. It probably
would have been bitter. At any rate 1t
would have smashed to smithereens the
harmony spirit that prevailed last
night.
Not Pleasing 10 BOrah.
However satisfactory Lsndon's tele-
gram may be to Mr. Hoover and his
friends. 1t Is not satisfactory 10 Ser
ator Borah Of Idaho, who has been
firm in his opposition TO a return to the
gold standard and in favor Of a man
aged currency. so-cslled. Borah. left
Cleveland at 10 pm. last night on his
way back to Washington.
Before he left he said that the
platform was generally satisfactory.
Many Of his own ideas has been en-
bodied in it, including those on for
elsn relations. currency and monop-
oily. He said nothing, however. as to
whether LAndon was satisfactory to
him ss q candidate or what part he
himself would play in the campaign.
Only Borah can say what his course
will be In the presidential campaign.
He won very considerable victory in
his fight to liberalize the platform.
That he will throw his support to
Roosevelt in the campaign Is not ex-
pected here. The only question ia
whether he will actively support Lam
don's candidacy.
Recalls Smiths Telegram.
Landon's action in telegrsphing the
convention his stand on these Ques-
tions was reminiscent of the telegram
sent by Alfred Il. Smith Of New York
to the Democratic National Conven-
ton in 1928 which nominated Smith
for President. Smiths telegram, which
wrote for him personal platform
against National prohibition. however,
was not read to the convention until
all the business of that body had been
completed, including the nomination
OF Smith and the drafting Of the party
platform and just before the conven-
ton finally adjourned.
Other precedents in q Republican
National Convention were smashed
last night. The opposing candidates
for the presidential nomination, with
the exception Of Borah, appeared on
the speakers platform and seconded
the nomination Of Landon- -Vanden.
berg, Knox, Dickinson, Taft and Nice.
All the candidates. including Borah,
had released their delegates early in
the day, 30 that they might vote for
Landon In o spirit Of party harmony.
II had been made clear that Landon
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