Evening star., 1955-02-05
The Political Mill
Stevenson-Eisenhower
Lineup Seen in 1856
Both National Conventions
Probably Will Be in Chicago

Both National Conventions
ProbobIy Will Be in Chicago
By Gould Lincoln
The stage is being set for a return
race between President Eisenhower and
Adlai Stevenson Chicago, where both
men were nominated for President in
1852, has been chosen by the site COM
mittee of the Democratic National
Committee for the party's 1856 national
convention.
The Republican National Committee
is meeting here February II to make
its decision regarding q convention site.
While Philadelphia, the other contest
ing city, has not been ruled out, the
likelihood is the G. o. P. will pick Chi
cago. too. Neither Mr.. Eisenhower nor
Mr.. Stevenson has said he will be a
presidential candidate next year. But
if poll of leaders were taken today in
both parties, Mr.. Eisenhower and Mr..
Stevenson would emerge as the top
choices for the presidential nomina-
tions.
Philadelphia, which has sought both
national conventions, has its pulling
power for the Democrats as well as the
Republicans. For the first time in
score of years the Democrats elected a
Governor of Pennsylvania. George Lea
der, last November. They also made
a significant gain of three House seats
which in the last Congress were held
by Republicans-making the count in
the States congressional delegation 16
Republicans and IA Democrats. instead
of 19 and II. The Pennsylvania Demo-
Gratis strongly urged they were entitled
to the further encouragement the Selec-
ton of Philadelphia for the party's 1855
national convention would bring. The
convention, they contended. would help
them to consolidate their gains.
TwO-PrOnged Appeal.
For the Republicans, the appeal Of
the Philadelphians Is two-pronged.
First, the G. o. P. in Philadelphia needs
the stimulation it might get from a
national convention. Second, Philadel-
phia next year will be celebrating the
Tooth anniversary of the first Repub-
lican National Convention, which nom.
mated Fremont for President. Cbvi-
ously, the Republicans could well pre-
fer Philadelphia, where much OF the
history of the country was made In
it's early days. initiating in favor Of
the Chicago site is the advantage OF
larger number of hotel accommoda-
tions, easier transportation facilities
for many parts of the country, and
more adequate television and radio
facilities.
Republicans and Democrats alike
have announced their desire to shorten
the national political campaign next
year-through the means of holding
their nominating conventions later in
the year. With this in mind Democratic
National Chairman Paul M. Butler
announced several weeks ago the DEM
ocrats would start their convention
August 26, and Republican National
Chairman Leonard w. Hall let it be
known he had discussed with Mr.. Eli
senhower soon after the November
elections the advisability Of holding
late convention and shortening the
campaign materially.
Butler Changes Mind.
He won the Presidents support for
the proposal. Mr.. Butler has retreated
from the August 27 date to August 13-
because, he explains, Of some State laws
requiring the early filing of the states
of presidential elector cadidates. The
Republicans had talked Of date in
September. They will probably have
to pick date in August, too, for the
same reason as that given by Mr.. But
Ter. However, there is still sentiment
among the Republicans for later con-
vention date than that of the Demo-
Gratis. For many years the G. o. P.
national conventions have been held
before the Democratic conventions, en-
abling the Democrats to take look at
the Republican presidential and vice
presidential candidates and the Re-
publican platforms before acting them
selves. With Mr.. Eisenhower as their
likely candidate, the Republicans be-
lieve that this is the year to reverse
the schedule of party conventions. They
don't have to advertise Mr.. Eisenhower
to the electorate.
Requirements for space for delegates
and alternateS, for the press, radio and
television, and for visitors at national
political conventions have grown enor-
mously in the last quarter century. So
have the costs of putting on these con-
ventions. Few cities vie for them. and
this year only Chicago and Philadelphia
have competed Atlantic City was will
ing to take both or either Of the con-
ventions. if held in June or September,
but dropped out when August was
selected. Its bid could be revived if
the Republicans figured they could get
State laws amended to permit them to
accept filing of candidates after Sep
tember convention. However, the Re-
publican National Committee is to meet
here February II to make a decision
on site, and it looks as though it
would be Chicago for the G. o. P. too.
The Democratic National Committee Is
voting by mail-but is expected to ac-
cept the recommendation of the site
committee.