Evening star., 1948-06-16
ID. {. Democrats
place on Ballot
Central Committee
Authorizes Porley
With ADA Group
By ChoImers M. Roberts

committee appeared ready 10 reverse
itself today and allow the names
of four rival candidates on the
ballot for delegates to the Demo-
cratic National Convention.
In a peace move, the committee
last night announced. after a closed
meeting, that certain numbers of
our delegation have agreed to with
draw and in their place will be
substituted the names of Others"
The committee said its counsel
was authorized to talk over the
situation with the rival group,
backed by the liberal, anti-Com-
munist Americans for Democratic
Action and including an of11cial OF
the CLOS Political Action Com
mittee.
Committee Explains Move.
The Central Committee said IT
was acting "in response to sug-
gestions to the counsel for ADA
and CIO-PAC," but a spokesman
for that group said today there
had been mo suggestion of deal
or any other arrangement than
that the Central Committee live
up to its published advertisements
and put on the ballot the names OF
those who legally filed for the posi-
tions."
This spokesman made 1t clear
the ADA-backed group would with
draw its court action against the
Central Committee only if names Of
its candidates for both delegates
and Central Committee members
are placed on the ballot.
The group filed four names for
delegate, and it appeared today that
If an agreement is reached they
will be the minority among II dele
gates, with each casting one-half
vote at the Philadelphia convention
beginning July IL.
Unit Rule One Question.
One question on the local primary
ballot is whether the delegates shall
be bound by a unit rule-that is,
could the organizations eight men,
bers bind the ADA-group's four to
vote for President Truman. The
ADA group is opposed to the rule
but it is willing to submit to the
decision Of the local primary.
This group also filed for seven OF
the % posts on the, Central Com
mittee, headed by Melvin D. Hill
dreth.
Just when a discussion between
the two groups will take place was
uncertain today due to the absence
from the city of the ADA groups at
torney, Wallace M. Cohen. The
matter is due to be heard on Friday
morning before District Court JUS
tice Alan T. Goldsborough. The
Judge on Monday continued re-
straining order which blocked the
election scheduled for that day.
Committee Issues Statement.
The Central Committees state
ment:
For Sc years the Democratic
Central Committee Of the District
of Columbia has placed the cause
Of our community before the ma
tional conventions.
TN 1892 our committee succeeded
In having placed in the platform
a plank concerning the problems OF
the District.
These planks were repeated at
intervals. In 1896, 1908, 1912 and
in 1910 and 1914 our committee
succeeded in having placed In the
Democratic platform pledges favor
ing the extension of the right OF
suffrage to the people OF the Dis
trict of Columbia.
I'm the matter Immediately be-
fore us, our only thought was to
have a delegation proceed to Phila-
delphia which would be primarily
concerned with the problems OF the
District. It is also our belief that
the Representatives of outside organ
izations would be more concerned
with our own policies and program
than with the problems Of the Dis
trict. To be . Democrat Is more
than the mere assertion Of belief. 1t
Is best evidenced by service to the
party.
Wants United Front.
However, we do not desire to con-
tribute to controversy or to inspire
dissension. We feel that In the diff
ficult days of the campaign before
us we must present a united front.
For that reason certain numbers OF
our delegation have agreed to with
draw and in their place will be sub
stituted the names of Others
I'VE. in passing. pay tribute to
the unselfishness Of those who de-
voted to Democratic principles, agree
to forego the honor of representing
the District of Columbia in order
that this matter may be adjusted.
In the meantime, in response to
of the counsel for ADA
and CIO-PAC, our counsel for the
committee have been authorized to
confer with them to the end of Sc
lecting other names to be included
~, thu hoflof