A Washington Daybook By RODNEY ET DUTCHER W WASHINGTON April 13 A 13 A fundamental fun fun- factor in m Democratic presidential presidential politics which explains th the present trend and is likely to explain the he result of oi the convention contest Is s the contrast between the strength of Governor Roosevelt's position anc and the weakness of the position of A Al Smith There is some question whether v Smiths Smith's candidacy should be called a candidacy at all But whatever j jis it itis is S. S it is supposed to be the backbone of the movement to stop Roosevelt and if it Jt sa sags s to the point of collapse the stop Roosevelt movement will collapse along with it The apparent strength of th the Roosevelt Roosevell position as compared with the he weakness of the Smith position seems ems all the more remarkable when you ou recall their respective positions position four bur years ears ago Smith was the fair fair- haired laired hero of oi Democracy and Roosevelt Roosevelt Roose Roose- velt veil was the nice fellow who had th the privilege of placing him in nomination nomination nomina nomina- tion ion at the convention E e But today today- Roosevelt is so far in the lead as a contender for the nomination that al although although al- al though he is not certain of victory n none no noone noone one else Is more than mentioned as a serious possibility If he docs does no not enter the convention with a majority of delegates or enough to put him over on the first ballot he will a at least east come very close to a majority and if it he should lose the nomination he IB would certainly come near dictating ing n ng the eventual choice The distinguished political analysts analysis who were unanimous in reiterations reiteration a few months ago that Smith would control the nomination have all tossed that tune out the window oft A e N Roosevelt Is governor of New York and his party always looks to New NewYork NewYork York when it has a governor there He ie He is popular with the voters as wa waso was wasso wasso so well demonstrated in his 1930 re reelection reelection re- re election eJection majority of For years jears ears he has been in contact with party leaders leaders leaders-he he was once assistant as assistant assistant as- as secretary ry of the navy and h hlas he has las cultivated the contacts rather rathe than han let them lapse He has always alway been een progressive enough to appeal to the he the more forward looking element o of the he party now and to provide a contrast contrast con con- rast with the political philosophy o of President Hoover and most other aspirants His popularity extends through al all all sections He has few bitter enemies One does not mean to suggest that the masses of voters arc are rising up spontaneously spon spon- to io demand Roosevelt but bu his ils strength Is spread over the thc countr country coun coun- tr try ry and not sectional S A r Whether this common attitude to toward toward to- to ward ard Smith is entire entirely I fair is beside the he point It represents a distinct comedown for Smith which is accentuated accentuated by such events as his defeat in m the he New Hampshire primary in which smiths smith's name was entered after alter the leaders virtually had it rigged up for Roosevelt And whenever the political political cal stature of a rival leader such as Smith or Speaker Garner seems to diminish Roosevelt automatically looms larger in proportion o p His name is attractive to voters andas and as a former government official anc arid and lately governor of the largest state he ie is experienced in large public af af- falls fairs His general from almost any standpoint is obvious There is a debit side of ot the picture o of course but this summary coupled with the fact that Democrats arc are above all else anxious to pick a winner winner win winner win win- ner will help explain why Roosevelt Roosevel Is marching along to what looks more and nd more mor like victory Al Smith on the other hand has haslet haslet let Jet himself in for plenty of criticism and loss of He announced he appreciated the efforts of his I friends to elect Smith delegates but has done or said nothing to indicate that he considers himself a candidate or hopes to win vein The result Is that while Smiths Smith's friends are permitted to use his name they are arc very seriously seri seriously seri seri- handicapped in all their efforts by a widespread belief that Smith only entered the picture In order to help the movement to block Roosevelt Roose Roose- Roose-i Roose velt elt