Evening star., 1936-06-14
DEMOCRATS CHECK
CONVENTION PLANS
Senator Barley Begins
Writing Keynote for
Next Week.
6y the Associated Press.


Democratic chieftains checked
H1ings over yesterday and said they
were just about ready for their party's
national convention at Philadelphia
which opens June % to renominate
President Roosevelt.
AS they worked long into the after
noon to make sure nothing was over
looked, Senator Barkley of Kentucky
retired to his home to begin writing
the keynote speech he will make as
temporary chairman Of the conven-
ton.
Surrounded by a corps of party
workers and stenographers, Emil
Hurja, assistant to Chairman James
A. Farley Of the National Committee,
and Charles Michaelson, publicity d.
rector. sent out hundreds Of letters
and kilograms about seating arrange
ments and hotel accommodations.
They dispatched hundreds of other
letters that had to do with such things
as Liberty Bell souvenirs, a memorial
breakfast for william Jennings Bryan,
a prize fight. scrapple breakfast, an
ice skating carnival, and the outdoor
demonstration at Franklin Field, at
which President Roosevelt will make
his acceptance speech June 81.
Two Other Experiences.
In writing his address, Barkley had
two other experiences as keynoter on
which to draw. He was the temporary
chairman in Chicago four years ago
when Mr.. Roosevelt was first nomi-
mated for the presidency. Sixteen
years ago he served in the same ca
pacity at the San Francisco conven-
ton, which chose Gov. Cox Of Ohio
as the party's nominee.
The permanent chairman Of the
Philadelphia convention will be Sena-
tor Robinson of Arkansas, who also
presided over the Chicago meeting in
1882.
To date 1882 of the 1,l00 delegates
have been chosen. The others will be
picked Tuesday by Indiana, Virginia
and Mississippi. All delegates thus
far selected either have been in
structed or are on rectrd as favoring
Mr.. RooSevelt's renomK ltion.
There was some speculation in the
partys councils as to whether any real
fights would develop over the adop-
ton of a platform and over the pro-
posal to abolish the two-thirds rule
for the naming of the nominee. Both
Farley and President Roosevelt have
favored its abolition and adoption of
the majority rule.
Chairman Ashhurst Of the Senate
Judiciary Committee said he thought
it possible that the convention would
consider proposals to amend the Con-
stitution so wages and working hours
may be regulated.
Regulation Proposal.
He is author of such a proposal, sub-
mitted to the Senate week ago, to
give Congress power to make laws to
regulate agriculture, industry, labor
and commerce. He insists, however,
he acted independently and not for
the administration or any one else.
He has never attended q national con-
vention and does not plan to go to
Philadelphia.
"It seems to me they have got to
advocate an amendment such as mine
or an amendment to give the States
power to regulate working hours and
wages or else Just write few flowery
words meaning nothing" he said.
Senator Connally, Democrat. Of
Texas said he was considering the ad-
visibility of urging take-the-profits-
out-of-war plank.
Farley has promised the platform
will be short. Planks are expected
on money, labor, agriculture, banking,
spending and a balanced budget, gov
ernmental reorganization, foreign
trade, foreign policy. power and hous-
ing.
CITY IN PREPARATION.