Evening star., 1940-02-05
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

In the midst of a wave of Roose-
velt third-term excitement, the
Democratic National Committee met
at the Willard Hotel today to make
plans for the Democratic National
Convention, which is to be held some
time next summer.
Chairman Farley, Postmaster Gen.
eral and the man who has twice
managed presidential campaigns for
Franklin D. Roosevelt, made an ap-
peal for Democratic harmony and
united effort to carry the coming
election by big vote
In the prepared copy of his ad-
dress, the national chairman praised
highly the accomplishments of the
Roosevelt administration.
In eulogizing the work Of the
Democratic national organization,
reaching down to the very roots of
the party, Mr.. Farley took oc-
casion to thank Vice President
Garner, vice chairman of the Ma
tional Committee, referring to
him as "Stalwart John Nance Gar
ner." The Vice President attended
the meeting of the National Com
mittee, on which he is a repre-
sentative of Texas.
Seeks to Avert Demonstrations.
Apparently in an effort to head
off any third-term demonstrations,
Chairman Farley said during his
address:
"Oficially, the Democratic Ma
tional Committee can, of course,
take no part in the preliminary
struggles. We all have, of course,
our individual preference and preju-
dices. But the guiding principle
must always be that the Demo-
cratic National Committee is for
the candidates selected by the Ma
tional Convention. unoualifiedly en-
Enthusiastically, militantly."
This was interpreted as a plea
for support of whatever presidential
nominee the convention produces
A major question at today's meet
ing was the selection Of a conven-
ton city. Philadelphia, San Fran
cisco and Chicago are leading con-
tenders.
The national committee will select
the convention city at its meeting
today, but will leave to Chairman
Farley the job of fixing a date fol
the convention A resolution au.
thorizing the chairman to fix the date
will be submitted, along with al
other resolutions referred to a com.
mittee on resolutions One of tht
first acts of the committee today
was to adopt resolution providing
for the reference of all resolutions
to a committee on resolutions.
With Chairman Farley authorized
to fix the date for the national con.
vention, it is confidently expected
that the convention date will follow
the Republican National Conven
ton 1t may be fixed by Mr.. Farley
as late as the middle of August.
Philadelphia, the scene of tn,
Democratic National Convention O.
1886, was regarded as likely con.
vention choice. unless Chicago come'
forward with substantial monetary
bid.
Vice President Garner, vice chair.
man of the committee, introducing
Chairman Farley, said:
Fellow members of the commit
tee, it is my privilege to present II
you one OF the most distinguished
and one of the most efficient ma
tional chairmen OF any politica
party in the last half century. L
is almost impossible for me to intro.
duce him to you. You know him a.
we'll as I. I doubt, however, whether
any of us knows him completely. HI
is a real American, most efficien
and one of the most agreeable fel
lows I ever knew-Jim Farley"
Mr.. Farley's speech was frequentl!
interrupted by applause. At its con
clusion the committee took recess
for luncheon, to meet again a
2 pm.
Third Term Talk.
AS the committee members as
sembled, the corridors were fillet
with Roosevelt third-term talk. 1
was on the lips of representative
from the South, the North, the Eas
and the West. Whether it will bt
(see DEMOCRATS, Page A-4)