Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-10
Stevenson Leads in Canvass
Of Democratic Leaders, Faces
Strong Fighter determination
Poll Shows Kefouver
As Firm Contender,
Hartman Backed
BY GOULD LINCOLN

Adlai Stevenson is out in front
for the Democratic presidential
nomination in 1856. but a poll Of
party leaders indicates he will
face plenty Of opposition.
Much more pronounced, in
answers and comments elected
by The Stars exclusive question:
aire. is opposition to the re-
nomination of the defeated 1852
vice presidential candidate. Sem
ator John j. Sparkman of Ala
bama.
So far. there appears to have
been no crystalization of senti-
ment in support of a single
potential candidate for the presi-
dental nomination to run
against the former Illinois gov
ernor Two possible opponents,
Gov. Averell Hartman of New
York and Senator Estes Kefauver
OF Tennessee, are revealed by the
poll as having real support.
Sent to Party Leaders.
The Star sent QUESTIONABLE
on presidential and vice presi-
dental preferences to 159 Demo-
cratic leaders-54 State Chair
men and los members of the
National Committee. There were
three vacancies in the National
Committee. Replies were re-
ceived from 70. Every State in
the Union, the District of CO.
!umbia and the Virgin Islands
were represented in the replies.
The score on Mr.. Stevenson
for the presidential nomination
stood as follows: 43 yes, II no,
and 10 undecided.
The score on Senator Spark
man for the vice-presidential
nomination stood as follows: 20
yes. 80 no. and 18 undecided.
Several of the replies pre-.
dicted that the vice-presidential
nomination will be decided, at
the time of the 1856 Democratic
National Convention, by the
presidential nominee. That Is
usually the case. Should Mr..
Stevenson be renominated, he
would be in position to insist on
the denomination of Senator
Sparkman as his running mate.
Questions Asked
The Star put these questions
to the Democratic leaders:
/. Do you favor the renomina-
ton of Adlai Stevenson for Pres
ident in 1856?
2. If not, who is your choice
for the presidential nomination?
3. If Mr.. Stevenson declines to
run, who is your choice for the
presidential nomination?
4. Do you favor the renomina-
ton of John j. Sparkman for
Vice-President in 1856?
S. If not, who is your choice
for the vice-presidential nomi-
nation?
Senator Kefauver was the
choice of six who opposed re-
nomination of Mr.. Stevenson.
Gov. Clement of Tennessee was
the choice of two.
Each of the following received
one choice: Gov. Hartman, Gov.
Shivers of Texas. Gov. Meyner Of
New Jersey, Gov Williams of
Michigan, Gov. johnson of Colo
RADIO. Speaker Rayburn of Texas,
Senator johnson of Texas, Sem
ator Symington of Missouri and
Senator Russell of Georgia.
Hartman Shows Up Well
That seemed to tag Senator
Kefauver as the outstanding
challenger. But Gov. Hartman
was the choice of II of those
who gave preference for the
presidential nomination in the
event Mr.. Stevenson declines to
run. In this list Senator Ke-
fauver got only seven choices.
Senator Kerr of Oklahoma
had three choices Gov. Williams
and Senator Barley of Ken
lucky each had two choices.
Each of the following received
one choice: Senator Morse Of
Oregon twho recently joined the
Democratic Party, = Senators
Russell and George of Georgia
and Stephen A. Mitchell of Illi-
nois, former Democratic National
Chairman.
Senator Kefauver led in the
choices for the vice-presidential
nomination by those who OPP
posed the denomination of Sem
ator Sparkman. He had six
See POLL, Page AS