Evening star., 1952-07-16
Kefauver and Russell
Z
Head for Chicago for
ree-Swinging Battle
By ReImon Morin
Associated Pres. SioH Writer

CHICAGO, July l6.-The two
leading contenders for the Demo-
cratic presidential nomination
according to current estimates
were heading for Chicago today,
Iplunging into free-swinging bat
tie royal unlike anything the
party has seen in 20 years.
Senator Kefauver of Tennessee
and Senator Russell Of Georgia
were both due on the scene of
the convention.
It opens formally Monday. but
the preconvention pace already
has reached a high point in claims
and counter-claims, accusations
and denials. The situation-in-
lvolving five avowed candidates
seven "favorite sons and num-
ber Of other probables-looks
lriotously confused.
Spokesman for two of the sup
posed "probables," President Tru-
man and Adlai Stevenson, Gov
Iernor of Illinois. issued state
ments yesterday that should re-
move both from the list.
Repeats Truman's Words.
Regarding the President-Na-
tional Committee Chairman Frank
Mckinney said he had two-houl
conference in the White House
last Sunday, and that President
Truman told him. IT meant what
said about not running I've
served my time" Moreover, Mr.
Mckinney continued. he would
consider it his duty to discourage
any attempts, from the convention
floor, to start draft movement
aimed at the President.
Regarding Gov. Stevenson his
first and biggest booster, Jacob M
Arvey, Illinois national commit
teeman, said "the Governor has
tied my hands. AS a matter OF
practical politics it is almost i'm
possible to nominate a man under
these circumstances. I doubt thai
it will be done now"
But if these two statements
dashed the hopes of many Demo-
Gratis by eliminating two wished
for candidates, the party still hao
several choices left.
They include Averell Hartman
Of New York. Senator Kerr OF
oklahoma and Vice President
Barkley.
Roosevelt on Hand.
Mr.. Harriman's campaign man.
ager. Representative Franklin D
Roosevelt. jr., of New York
reached Chicago last night. Like
the spokesman of all the other
front-running candidates, Mr.
Roosevelt said he was very con-
fident" that Mr.. Hartman event.
ually would win the nomination
But he said, as the others are
saying. that he would not attempt
to forecast the ballot when his
man would be chosen.
He said no-"with an exclama-
tion point" that Mr.. Hartman is
not interested in a vice presi-
Dental position. And when re-
porters asked if he. himself, would
consider it, Mr.. Roosevelt
snapped: "That's a silly question. /"
Senator Kefauver steps into q
whirling cyclone Of accusations
and denials. He is the pivotal
point Of the storm.
Claims StOp-Kefauver Move.
His campaign manager, Gael
Sullivan, claims that some of the
other Democrats are teaming to-
gether to stop the Senator, and
said he had reports" of efforts
to bribe some Of Senator Ke-
fauver's California delegates.
Mr.. Sullivan named no names in
his charge Of a gang up" He
said it might be going ahead with
out the knowledge Of the candi-
dates themselves. but that their
hackers were in on the plot.
He said he had heard, second
hand, about the California bribe
story and mentioned the name of
Senator Kerr.
Senator Kerr lost no time in
denying the story and called it an
"alibi" for what he said was SEN
Iator Kefauver's impending defeat.
Senator Russell's campaign man
ager. Senator Edwin c. johnson
of Colorado. expressed the opinion
that Gael must be getting jittery
and seeing things under the bed
Mr.. Roosevelt. speaking for Mr..
Hartman, simply replied: "We're
mot in on any conspiracy"