Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-13
Feverish Nominee Struggle
Marks Convention Start
Democratic
Dark Horses
Ir LimeIight
BY GOULD LINCOLN

STAR CONVENTION BU-
REAU, CHICAGO. Aug. 13.-The
Democratic National Convention
opened here today amid the ex-
element of titanic struggle
for the party's presidential NOM
ination.
AS delegates started for
their quadrennial session, Adlal
E. Stevenson of Illinois con-
tinued to pace the field of can
didates for the top honor. but
he faced a serious challenge by
Gov. Averell Hartman of New
York.
Thanks to former President
Harry Truman, who dramatically
announced support of Gov. Har-
riman late Saturday, the con-
vention has been opened wide
and it appeared today that al
most anything might happen.
Ozark Horses" Active
1t was by no means certain that
either Mr.. Stevenson or Gov.
Hartman would clinch the
nomination, for a number of
dark horse" candidates, mostly
favorite sons of State delega-
tions, were holding their sup
porterS in line.
One of the dark horses, Senate
Majority Leader Lyndon B. john
son of Texas. said he planned to
get out my knife and whittle
all day long" in talks with key
Democrats.
/ Another, Senator Stuart Sy-
Imington of Missouri, has con-
Iferred with Mr.. Truman private
Ily, since the former President
declared that Gov. Hartman is
the man best qualified" to be
President. There was specula-
jtion whether Mr.. Truman hoped
ito push Senator Symington into
the nomination in the event of a
deadlock between Mr.. Stevenson
and Gov. Hartman.
Truman Makes Denial
! This was suggested by Mrs.
Franklin D. Roosevelt in a news
conference yesterday-and was
denied by Mr.. Truman on an
early morning walk today.
II don't play that way" Mr.
Truman said. I'm for Mr.. Harri-
man straight through"
/ Several times during his windy
morning walk, Mr.. Truman was
asked if he would support Mr..
Stevenson if the Illinoisan is
Nominated.
4 III support the nominee of
the Democratic Party-let's put
1t that way" Mr.. Truman replied.
Secret Maneuvering
4 Stevenson spokesman declared
they were holding the line as
lieutenants of all the other as
pirants Unanswered secretly to
cut down the lead he commands
by previously committed votes.
With $685. delegate votes
needed for nomination, Mr.. Ste
venson is given a total of 538 by
the latest count. Gov. Hartman
is conceded 213. favorite son
candidates claim a total of 277I2
and there are 3431a votes not yet
committed. The latter block was
being courted feverishly.
Democratic Chairman Paul M
Butler called the convention to
order at 1903 pm. washington
time) at the International Am
phitheater in the Chicago stock
yards. This was the first time
in many years that a convention
started on time, and many of
the delegates were absent.
Almost without exception, ora
tors at the first session were adj
vising party unity, while the
contestant is downtown we're
Scrounging around for more
votes.
Douglas Urges Unity
(, Senator Paul Douglas of Illi-
nois pleaded with his fellow
Democrats to resolve our diff
terences and hammer out COM
parative unity" He made no
mention Of civil rights, one of
the most explosive of platform
issues. but he cited Chicago as
a city in which many races and
nationalities live together as a
successful experiment in Amer
icanism.
Senator George Smathers OF
Florida told the delegates the
party has some difficult fights
ahead to retain control of Con-
gress but he predicted. never
See CONVENTION, Page "A
INJURED ANIMALS