Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-04-21
DEMOCRATS
Continued From First Page

L
in the election campaign.
Mrs. Clara Shirpser. Demo-
cratic National Committee
woman from California, laid be-
fore the committee a proposal
to amend the national conven-
ton rules to limit "demonstra-
tons" for presidential candi-
dates to not more than Is min
Iutes. Coupled with the pro-
posal was suggestion that each
candidate vino received Is per
cent or more of the delegate
vote on the first ballot be per-
mitted to address the national
convention tor Is minutes.
My amendment" Mrs. Shirp-
ser told the committee. will
save the time of the conven-
ton by eliminating the long.
drawn out demonstrations of
the past. 1t would also prevent
Iparading in the aisles in these
IdemonStra ton.
II think the delegates should
have an opportunity to hear the
candidates and to make judg-
ment on them. after the first
ballot p"
Referred to Committee
Her proposal was referred to
the committee on rules. She
said she had offered such an
amendment for the 1852 ma
tlonal convention, but nothing
had been done about it.
Mrs. Shirpser is a leading
supporter of Senator Kefauver
of Tennessee for the presidential
nomination. Her proposal, she
said after the committee meet
ing. had nothing to do with
Senator Kefauver's candidacy.
Chairman Butler. in impas-
stoned tones. told the committee
he bitterly resented charges that
he and the national committee
staff were favoring any candi-
date for the nomination. Such
charges have been made by
Senator Kefauver and his cam
palgn manager. F. Joseph (Jlggs)
Donohue, who said Mr.. Steven
son was getting special treat
ment at the hands of Mr.. But
ler and the committee.
II deeply resent" said Mr..
Butler. that any member of the
national committee or Democrat
outside the committee. should
accuse us of favoring any presi-
dental candidate. We are build
ing up an organization that will
work for the nominee of the ma
tional convention, whoever he
may be. This kind of criticism
could destroy our effectiveness.
On motion of Mr.. Butler, the
committee accepted the pro-
posal of the executive COM
mittee that Speaker Rayburn be
recommended to the conven-
ton to serve a permanent
chairman of the convention.
This is an Office Mr.. Rayburn
has filled number of times in
the past.
KeynOter Decision Later
Recommendation of a tenn
porary chairman or keynote
speaker for the national conven-
ton was postponed. but the ex-
ecutive committee and Mr.. But
Ter were authorized to make such
a recommendation later. Gov
Clement of Tennessee and Sem
ator Humphrey of Minnesota
have been suggested for key
noter. Both are known to be for
the nomination Of Mr.. Steven
son.
The national committee also
made plans for an early meet.
ing of a tentative committee on
resolutions--with members from
each State and territory-to be-
gin work on party platform.
The date fixed was August 6. one
week before the national con-
vention opens in Chicago. Ar
rangements were made, too for
early meetings of other impor-
tant convention committees.
The national committee, itself.
will meet on Saturday, August
IL, two days before the opening
of the convention.
Heads of half a dozen di-
visions, set up by the national
committee chairman, were heard
by the committee, including
Richard Murphy of Maryland,
director of the Young Demo-
Gratis Division. Mr. Murphy
said great progress had been
made in organization of Young
Democrats Clubs throughout
the country, in colleges and
schools. He said that 1900 of
these clubs are in existence and