Evening star., 1953-09-06
Big Democratic Rally
In Chicago 10 Look
Over '56 Candidates
By Gould Lincoln


Adlai Stevenson, titular head
of the Democratic Party, and
former President Truman are
billed as the main attractions
at the big Democratic gathering
in Chicago next week-but most,
if not all of the potential candi-
dates for the party's presidential
nomination in 1856 will be on
hand.
According to Democratic Ma
tional Chairman Mitchell. the
1856 campaign will be very much
in the background. It's safe
bet, however, that party leaders
from every section will be assay
ing, first Of all, the strength
and availability of Mr.. Steven
son, former governor of Illinois.
In addition, the friends of other
probable aspirants for the presi-
dental nomination will be can
vassing the field.
A strong Democratic leader
from the Midwest yesterday esti-
mated that as of today Mr..
Stevenson has the inside track
for the nomination. although he
was defeated last year by Gen.
Eisenhower. He added, however.
that it is too early to nail the
nomination down.
williams Mentioned.
Among the others he listed as
potential candidates were Gov.
Mennen Williams, who has won
three straight terms in Republi-
can Michigan: Senator Syming-
ton of Missouri, who held many
important posts in the Truman
administration before he was
elected to the Senate last year;
and Senator Kefauver of Ten
nessee. runner-up to Mr.. Ste
venson in the 1852 Democratic
National Convention.
He mentioned also two New
Yorkers-Representative Frank
lin D. Roosevelt, jr., son of the
late President. and former Am
bassador w. Averall Hartman,
a candidate for the 1852 presi-
Dental nomination. The leader
attached one condition to the
Roosevelt candidacy-that Mr..
Roosevelt win the governorship
of New York. It now appears al
most certain that the former
Presidents son will be candi-
date-and a formidable one
for the Democratic gubernato-
rial nomination next year. His
chances conceivably would rise
or fall with the decision of Gov.
Thomas E. Dewey to seek or not
reelection. The Republican gov
ernor has yet to announce his
decision.
Hinges on GOvernOrship.
Election to the governorship
of New York would automat-
ically place Mr.. Roosevelt in the
presidential candidates cate
gory," this leader commented.
A Democrat who can carry New
York with the greatest number
of votes in the Electoral College,
has always been potential
Democratic presidential nominee
and many such governors have
been the party's choice Tor the
presidency.
Senator Symington already
has his following for the 1856
nomination. He comes from what
is considered a border State and
makes a strong appeal to many
of the Southern Democrats. They
wish to have a say on the Selec-
ton of the next presidential
nominee"
Senator Kefauver won many
friends in his active campaign
for the 1852 presidential nomi-
nation. In the estimation OF
this Democratic leader, however.
Senator Kefauver will be less
strong if he runs in 1856.
IF Adlai Stevenson makes a
fine impression at the Chicago
meeting and continues to reg
ister with the voters with his
public speeches during the next
three years, in my opinion he
will not be beaten for the presi-
Dental nomination." he con-
cluded.
Off-the Cuff Speeches.
The interest in Mr.. Stevenson
and the Democratic Chicago
gathering has continued to grow
amazingly, according to those in
charge of the arrangements. 1t
is estimated that upwards OF
1,5OO paying guests will attend
the $1OO-a-plate dinner, which
is to be given the night OF Mon
day, September IA, and the de-
mands for tickets for the Ste
venson meeting in the Chicago
Opera House the following night
have far exceeded the capacity
of that hall. 1t seats about $500.
Mr.. Stevenson and former
President Truman both will
speak at the fund-raising din
ner. Their speeches will be of
the cuff, it is said. Mr.. Steven
sons main speech will be deliv-
cred Tuesday night and is ex-
pected to deal with world affairs
his conception of affairs gained
in a recently completed around
the world trip. Senator Douglas
of Illinois will be the principal
speaker at the Monday night
dinner, when he is expected to