| Show Battle to Block Roosevelt lt Ebbing Politicians Regard Chances of Nomination for N. N Y V. Governor as Better By RAYMOND CLAPPER Copyright 1932 by United Press W WASHINGTON June 4 The fight Ight to lock block Governor Franklin D. D Roosevelt loosevelt appeared to be ebbing to- to day ay Chances that he would be nominal nominal- ed cd d at the Democratic national con con- which meets in Chicago June June 27 7 were regarded by insiders as im im- im proving i Some of the more optimistic Roosevelt Roose Roose- velt elt supporters have again swung back ack to the thc expectation that he willo will Willi go o across on n the thc first ballot A few weeks ago when former Governor Aired Alfred Ai Al- fred red E. E Smith was pounding at him with sledge hammer blows they were less ess optimistic Newton D D. Baker of Ohio stands as asic the ic man most favored in event Roose Roose- velt elt should be blocked There is some some talk alk of Governor Ritchie of Maryland Mary- Mary land and land but it is scattered One well informed Roosevelt anti Democrat puts it this wa way It uIt is about an even bet bel that Roosevelt loosevelt will be nominated If It he heis hes is s stopped it is better than an even I bet et that Baker will get set it If Roosevelt Roose- Roose velt elt is not nominated within three ballots allots he wont won't be nominated at atalL all OPPOSITION DISPIRITED The Roosevelt anti forces are arc somewhat somewhat some some- what hat dispirited They are still however however howver how- how ever ver pushing their fight for a real referendum plank in the platform and nd they have reasonable expectation i of f winning out over the drier wheel- wheel horses among the thc western and south south- ern cm rn Roosevelt leaders THere ere is much speculation as to the possibility of Roosevelt taking some I spectacular action with reference to Mayor layor Walker of New York against whom charges are being brought Some say Roosevelt could clinch nomination and get a start toward election lection by strong action here Oth Oth- ers rs more cautious suggest he should avoid void any appearance of using the situation to his own political advantage tage age by appointing a board of unquestionable standing to consider the evi- evi dence ence and report to him later The fight against Roosevelt has sag sagged ed for want of a leader Former Governor Smith attempted it but failed ailed to rally lar large c sections of the party arty Though he has commanded reject respect re re- re of many of the most influential Democrats as a courageous figure he helas has las failed to strike any contagious sparks Darks of enthusiasm comparable to those lose he set of off In 1928 He has encountered encountered en- en countered stubborn feeling that he head I had ad his chance four years ago and should step aside now I Speaker Garner was projected into I the le early race with spectacular trum trum- eting But the difficulties in the house louse of representatives have sapped his ils strength as a presidential figure despite a victory over Roosevelt Roose Roose- velt elt and Smith in California due to William Villiam G. G McAdoo BAKER BAKEE CHECKS MOVE Baker might have been the leading possibility at the moment that he permitted per his friends to put on an aggressive ag- ag campaign He not only discouraged dis dis- them from special activity but Ut assisted in bringing an agreement under inder the Ohio delegation will back jack Governor White While as a favorite son on White is rated chiefly as a possible pos pos- sible ible vice presidential candidate in invent event vent of Roosevelt's nomination though hough many Democrats would pre pre- fer er Senator Bulkley of Ohio Whites White's name will be put before the convention and Bakers Baker's probably will not ot Baker probably wall un draw a sizable siz siz- able ble scattered vote at the outset but owing wing to lack of first choice dele dele- gates ates he cannot get as good a running run run- ing ning start as he would after several ballots allots The advantage Roosevelt has in this situation is that as the first ballot roll roll- call call all nears its end Roosevelt will be beo beso beso so o overwhelmingly ahead of everyne everyone every every- one ne else that it will be difficult to prevent a stampede He has many second choice choice pledges scattered around round in favorite son delegations delegations- such uch as the Texas block block so so that the temptation will be strong for these delegates to break for tor the bandwagon There here is nothing so important to a politician as getting on the winner as soon soen as possible I |
