Evening star., 1936-06-19

Democratic national conventions are
always more spectacular and Colorful
than their Republican counterparts.
Thus, despite its cut-and dried aspects
and absence of all elements of doubt,
next weeks Philadelphia conclave gives
promise of being an altogether livelier
performance than the one the G. o. p.
staged at Cleveland. That will be due
to superior Democratic showmanship, as
exemplif1ed by the plan to have Presi-
dent Roosevelt accept denomination at
monster Saturday night outdoor
demonstration, winding up things in
blaze Of party glory. With proceedings
just around the corner. there's no pros
pect of anything remotely resembling q
fiare-up at Philadelphia except discus
sion of the two-thirds rule. The New
Deal marines have the situation well in
hand, with ample votes for repeal of
the ancient practice. But the stage man
ayers rejoice over the outlook that from
Dixie and perhaps other quarters there
will be a species Of eloquent opposition,
which should provide entertainment and
relieve the convention of the atmosphere
of drab and dreary love feast.
+%H
From the public interest standpoint,
Rooseveltians probably would welcome
the appearance Of Al Smith at Phila-
delphia, even If the Governor were to
take q walk out Of the convention. Such
an event could only emphasize his isola-
ton and the ascendancy of the New
Dealers. Senator Copelands announce
ment that he will not be among those
present. although he was elected dele
gate. doubtless gives the Democratic
leadership more Of q headache than it's
willing to acknowledge. The physician
statesman vote-getter has big personal
following. particularly in upstate New
York. If he goes the length of boltings
the ticket in November, there will be q
real danger that large numbers of his
supporters would follow the Senator's
lead. Copeland's action is bound to
cause Chairman Farley and his fellow
strategists now to weigh anxiouSly the
question of just how many Democrats
who see eye to eye with Al Smith, Sem
ator Copeland, former Gov. Ely of Mas
sachusettS, former Gov Comstock of
Michigan. former Gov. Murray of Okla
homa, Henry Breckenridge. Bainbridge
Colby and Jim Reed are likely to leave
the reservation. Republican hopes of
victory notoriously are based largely on
Democratic insurgency of the brand
represented by the leaders just named.
While his opposition was never taken
very seriously, or accounted capable of
Turing Georgia out Of the Democratic
column, Gov. Eugene Talmadge's pledge
to support the Philadelphia nominees is
especially welcome to Rooseveltians at
the moment when walk-taking seems to
have set in. With Progressives, Repub-
lican, Farmer-Labor and otherwise, like
Senators Norris, La Toilette, johnson
and others, in support Of F. D. r., as they
are expected to be, New Dealers believe
that any likely Democratic bolt will be
more than Offset. What worries Messrs.
Farley & Co. far more Is how many
1882 Roosevelt Republicans" are going
to vote for Landon. This more or less
independent group of the electorate
comes close to holding the 1896 balance
Of power.
Nobody in either party is taking very
seriously the Coughlin- Townsend Share
the Wealth combination third party
threat. In the first place, third party
movements, as the record shows, don't
as q rule get anywhere. In the second
place, the projected three-way fusion
movement would sap strength. itS BE-