Evening star., 1944-07-17
Democrats
Continued From First Page

ton, including potential nominees,
are today campaigning vigorously
for a dozen or more candidates,
nearly all of them unannounced.
| Nothing could be more conclusive
evidence that this convention lies
in the hollow of President Roose-
velt's hand than the attitude of the
leaders of the party toward the
vice presidential nomination. They
admit that Mr.. Wallace may be re-
nominated, if the President says
fatty he wants him, even though
the opposition to him is widespread.
Senator Guffey of Pennsylvania,
one of Mr.. Wallaces floor managers,
said he was awaiting the arrival to-
morrow Of the Iowa delegation be-
fore opening headquarters and be-
ginning an active campaign.
Predicts Second Ballot Choice.
Senator Guf1ey said the Vice
President would have $50 votes on
the first ballot and would be a sec
ond ballot winner. A total of $50
votes will be required to nominate.
There was much talk that If the
convention does not take Mr.. Wal
lace. it ought to nominate a COM
paratively young man for Vice
President to offset the accent put
on youth by the Republicans with
the Choice of 42-year-old Thomas
E. Dewey as their standard bearer.
Mr. Roosevelt is g..
This may leave the way open for
younger man of the caliber Of
Senator Lucas of Illinois, Senator
Jackson. Gov. Robert S. Kerr of
Oklahoma. the keynoter, and others
The President has already. on his
own account, agreed to accept re-
nomination at the hands of the
convention. This was done in a
letter to Chairman Hannegan last
week. The effect of the President s
declaration has been to obliterate
almost all expected resistance in
the convention to fourth term
nomination. The attitude of some
Of the antifourth termers has be-
come: What's the use, he has the
nomination anyway"
Wishes to Be Followed.
From Chairman Hannegan it was
gathered also that the President S
wishes regarding the party platform
will be followed. Mr.. Hannegan said
he had discussed the platform with
the President and his advisers. He
said, however, he had not brought
a draft of the platform with him.
My own idea of the platform. y
said Mr.. Hannegan, can be summed
up In one word-Roosevelt. The
President record of accomplish
ment is all We need for a platform. u
/ This, Mr.. Hannegan admitted
makes for brief platform. another
expressed desire of the President.
The Democratic chairman ex-
pressed the opinion that President
Roosevelt probably will deliver. an
acceptance speech to the National
Convention over the radio after his
denomination has been accom-
plished. He does not expect the
President to come to Chicago to
address the delegates, as Gov. Dew
ey did during the Republican Con-
vention.
Mrs. Roosevelt will not come to
the convention either, Mr.. Hanne-
gan said. She visited the Demo-
cratic National Convention of 1910
in Chicago and addressed it.
speculative Question
Mr.. Hannegan at first was reluc-
tant to admit a presidential letter
existed dealing with the vice presi-
Dental nomination. He left no doubt
In the minds of his interviewers,
after a dozen questions had been
shot at him. that the letter was ex-
pected, He said that the letter would
set forth the personal views of
Mr.. Roosevelt, when he was asked
whether the Chief Executive was
writing it as candidate for Office
or "as commander in chief
DO you think a renominat ton of
MI. Wallace would hurt the ticket"
he was asked.
MI. Hannegan replied that was
speculative question" and he
had no comment.
Did you tell the Vice President
he could not be renominated?" A
reporter persisted
You'll have to ask the Vice
President, said Mr.. Hannesan, who
refused TO deny such a conversa-
ton, adding he had no comment, :"
Pledges Lined Up.
Mr.. Hannegan said Mr.. Wallce
mad several State delegations
pledged to his support. among them
Iowa. Minnesota, Wisconsin and
possibly Washington, Oregon and
Wyoming. He also recalled that the
Virginia delegation had been in
structed to vote against Wallace.
His attention was called to the
fact that War Mobiliza ton Director
Byrnes had arrived in Chicago
He was asked If Mr.. Byrnes
India Mokes Own Druos