Evening star., 1955-11-20

there were good many persons
who thought he was the man to
lead the party. II was clear that
he believed Q one-time loser would
have to be vigorous and fortnight
in order to get q second chance.
He named a supporting team that
indicated he meant business. His
campaign manager win be the sue
cessful old pro. James A. Finnegan
OF Philadelphia. Working under Mr..
Finnegan will be Stephen A. Mitch
ell, former Democratic national
chairman; Hyman RaSkin. former
deputy chairman Of the National
COMMITTEES. and Wilson. Wyatt,
former Mayor Of Louisville and Ma
tional Housing Authority admin
istrator.
No Details Given
Mr.. Stevenson did not give any
details OF his coming campaign
except to say he would enter the
Minnesota preferential primary
March 20 and that he would not
make an issue Of President Eisen-
hower's health. His followers spec
ulated freely. however. that he
would enter several primaries and
would 60 after enough additional
delegates to make himself . first-
ballot nominee. He did not an
nounce for the New Hampshire
primary. March Is. This balloting.
traditionally first Of the Nations
popularity contests" set the stage
for the Eisenhower Taft Republi-
can battle Of 1854.
Mr.. Stevenson outlined his plat
form in bread strokes last night at
. Chicago Democratic rally and
punched as many holes as he could
In the Republican slogan Of Peace.
Prosperity and Progress"
There were other key Democrats
In Chicago last week who were not
so sure Mr. Stevenson was the man
to lead the team. They had them
selves In mind.
Senator Estes Kefauver Of Ten
nessee said he would let the world
know In mid December II he would
seek the nomination. Meanwhile
he said polite things about Mr..
Stevenson. Gov. Averell Hartman
OF New York was polite. too, but
his supporters said he would work I
hackstage for delegates TO the con-
velltion.
When MI. Stevenson made his j
announcement Gov. Hartman OBJ Z
served that anyone who wanted the
Democratic nomination would have
to fight for ii. and that he (HarTi-
mani did not intend to fight Taken
literally this would have been
fortnight and startling announce
rnent that the New Yorker was out
Of the race. But. because IL Was
q politician taking, no one took
the statement literally -Cr seriously.
Stevenson Out Front
The picture among Democrats
seemed to be this: MIR. Stevenson
was front runner with an early
start, rather wide acceptance In
the party and little violent oppo-
gition. Mr.. Kefauver stu had wide
popular appeal and probably could
knock Mr.. Stevenson on by winning
@ few primaries. But the Tennes-
sean had only the mildest support
from the professionals. And Mr..
Hartman was q large. but un-
known. quantity. popular among
Hi1e Northern party men.
The Democrats did make 1t some
what easier for themselves to pick
q candidate next year. The Ma
tional Committee met In Chicago
to recommend ground rules for the
convention. They decided not to
ask for q loyalty cath. aimed at
Southerners who bolted their party
last time to support Mr.. Eisenhower.
So there won't be q credentials
fight unless some delegate takes It
upon himself TO challenge some
prominent boilers as Mr.. Mitchell
said last week he would do.
In one welcome streamlining move
restrictions were recommended on
the practice Of polling d delegation
during balioting. But the conven-
ton was made somewhat more ul1-
wieldy by 4 recommendation that
the number of delegates be in
creased from I,576 TO more than
1000.