Evening star., 1944-04-23

conventions IN that period ever rot to
first base--although 1t. Comdr. Harold
g. Stassen, who was temporary chair.
man of the Republican National Con.
vention in 1910 and at that time Gov.
ernor of Minnesota, is now, through his
friends, a contender for the presidential
nomination.
For one reason or another the two
major parties have turned with sreat
regularity to Congress for presiding ON.
GERS and Keynote speakers at their ma
tional conventions. Until the selection
OF Gov. Warren to preside over the
opening OF. the coming Republican con-
vention, Mr.. Stassen was the only Gov
ernor of State picked by either party
to be either temporary or permanent
chairman. This year the new crop Of
Republican Governors-26 In all-has
collectively and individually insisted on
greater recognition from the party. The
present revival OF Republican strength,
they contend, has been led in large part
by them. So 1t is not uniting that
one OF their number has been chosen to
deliver the keynote speech at the ma
tional convention. Particularly as the
Republican leader of the House, Repre-
sentative Joe" Martin of Massachusetts,,
Is the choice OF the Committee on Ar
raneements to be permanent chairman
OF the convention-an ofice he filled In
the 1910 convention.
The selection of both Gov. Warren and
OF Representative Martin by the Com
nlittee on ArrAnsenaents has stilI to be
ratified by the national convention it
SELF As b rule these recommendation
are accepted by the national conyen-
tions without struggle. Occasionally.
however, the temporary chairmanship
or the permanent Craftsmanship has
been OF vital Importance. Take the case
OF the late Senator Elihu Root Of New
York. He was picked by, the. regular
Republicans supporting President Taft
for denomination in 1912 for temporary
chairman. The Theodore Roosevelt
forces were violently opposed to Root for.
the temporary chairrnanship hip-with good
cause. Mr.. Root was elected by mar
row margin. He then ruled In favor Of
seating all those Taft delegates whose
seats were contested.
In the same year the Committee on
Arrangements for the Democratic Ma.
tioiiai Convention had selected Alton B.
Parker for temporary chairman and
keynoter. Mr.. Parker had been the
party's nominee for President in 1904
against Theodore Roosevelt. william
jennings Bryan, charging that Mr..
Parker was representative Of the 're.
actsonary' element in the party, ran
against him for the office but was de-
feated. He Was supported by the Wilson
forces il, the convention and later BRYAN
used his influence to turn the presiden.
tial nomination to woodrow Wilson.
Charged Dosblecross.
The Democratic National COMMITTEES
in the 1882 convention proposed Jouett
Shouse for permanent chairman, with
Senator Barkley of Kentucky for tempo
rary chairman. Mr.. Shouse was a
Smith supporter. The supporters Of
Franklin D. Roosevelt fought his elec-
zion and forced that Of the late Senator
Thomas j. Walsh of Montana. Upon
that election may have turned the presi-
Dental nomination, which finally went
to Mr.. Roosevelt. The Smith canp
insisted the Roosevelt people had dou.
bie-crossed them. The latter. however,
charged that Shouse, if elected chair
man, would have double-crossed Mr..
Roosevelt.
Much is made of the keynote speech
at national conventions. Some are
good and some are very dreary. The
speech. however, is supposed to sound
the battle charge. Gov Warren speaks
well but is no rabble rouser. The Re-
publicans will be looking for laudatory
comments on what the COP has done
and is prepared to do, and for drastic
(See WARREN, Page C-3)