Evening Star Newspaper, February 8, 1932, Page 4

A—q FEF SMITH STATEMENT - SPURS ROOSEVELT New York Governor’s Back- {4 ers Say Opponents Have 2 Played Ace. » (Continued From First Page.) Smith declared that he was head of the Democratic party today, in view of the action of the Democratic national convention which nominated him in 1928, and that he did not intend, as head of his party either to favor or to oppose any of the candidates who have been put forward. ‘This leaves him free, if he desires. to throw his support at the convention or after it to any candidate he desires, even Roose- velt At the same time, if he had come forward with a declaration against Franklin D. Roosevelt, who he persuaded to run for Governor of New York in 1928 in order to help strengthen the Smith candidacy for President in the Empire State, he_would have been ac- cused by many Democrats of ingrati- tude. Nor could he declare himself for any other candldate than Roosevelt without subjecting himself to similar criticism. He could, however, with pro- priety declare himself either a receptive or an active candidate for the nomina- tion. Opponents of Roosevelt among the Democrats insist that there is no ques- tion of gratitude on the part of Smith to Roosevelt: that Gov. Smith owes as much or more to Gov. Ritchie, who voluntarily took himself out of the race in 1928 so that Gov. Smith might have the Maryland delegation to the national convention that vear. and such other support as the Marylander might other- wise have had at the convention. Three Outstanding Candidates. If Roosevelt is “stopped” at the com- ing convention, and neither he nor Smith can receive the necessary two- thirds vote, who will be the compromise candidate? Three men at least stand out as pos- sible compromise candidates—former Gov. Cox of Ohio, the party nominee in 1020; Speaker John N. Garner of Texas and Gov. Ritchie of Maryland. “There are plenty of others; for example, Newton D. Baker, also of Ohio, and Gov. George White of that State. How Roosevelt Democrats feel about the Smith entry into the presidential race is expressed by Senator Dill of ‘Washington, one of the original Roose- velt boosters. He said today “Democrats of the State of Washing- , ton on Saturday showed how to stop the ‘Stop Roosevelt’ movement when they selected 16 delegates to the Chicago convention and instructed them to vote and work for Roosevel “At that time, they didn’t know what Cov. Smith’s statement would contain, and they didn't care. They knew that with Roosevelt as the nominee, the party will win, and that when we do Wwin, the country will have a President who will lead the way back to prosperity by putting men to work, by serving America first, and by placing more of the burdens on the wealthy and the powerful. Have Played Trump Card. “With the announcement of Gov. Smith, the ‘Stop Roosevelt’ crowd of Jeaders have played their trump card: He was their ace in the hole. There aren't even any face cards left in their pack. “This is fortunate for the Roosevelt supporters. It is better to know now what must be overcome, than to con- tinue in doubt. When it becomes clear, «as it soon will, that even former Gov- Smith can't ‘stop Roosevelt’ at the Chi- cago convention, the opposition will crumble, and the certainty of his nomi- nation will be evident even sooner than it might otherwise have been. “It is Roosevelt against the field. He s away out in front because the people belicve in him, and the faith of the people in him will continue to grow week by week, until the hour for nomi- nation at Chicago.” Norris Sees Defeat. Senator George W. Norris of Ne- braska, Progressive Republican, who openly supported Gov. Smith for Presi- dent in the 1928 election, said today, according to an Associated Press dis- patch from Memphis, Tenn, that Smith's statement was the beginning of what may be the Democratic party’s defeat in an otherwise “cinch” elec- tion. Senator Norris was on his way back to Washington from the funeral of the late Representative Quin of Mississippi. Senator Norris, at the Progressive conference held here last March, declared that “what the coun- try needs is another Roosevelt.” In Memphis today he said: “The Democratic party has a remark- able record for making a damn fool of jtself at a crucial time when it has the world by the tail and downhill pull. It is expected to repeat its usual performance,” he added, as he pointed to Gov. Smith’s statement “This is truly a Democratic year and the election would be a cinch for the Democrats if they could be harmonious.” He said President Hoover would be the Republican nominee. but added “it ought to be Hiram Johnson, Senator Borah or Gov. Pinchot, or somebody like that.” Gov. Willlam H. Murray, Oklahoma's favorite son for the Democratic nomi- nation, ventured the opinion that Smith's announcement shows the “poli- ticlans have fallen out.” “The rank and file now has a chance’ Murray said. adding he believed Gov. Roose- velt's boom is “a pure combination of politicians in various States.” The Smith candidacy may defeat Gov. Roosevelt for the nomination, just | as it defeated William G. McAdoo for the nomination in 1924 and forced a compromise candidate, John W. Davis In that vear, however, Smith found it impossible to be nominated himself. In 1932 he is likely to find himself fac- ing the same strong opposition that he faced in 1924, Chances Seem Remote. He was handed the nomination in 2928, although many of the Democrats | no who were disgruntled. But they had yeal rallying post, no candidate gommanded a large number of dele- gates. With Gov &s a candidate to whom they may rally, the chances for a Smith ‘nomination | Roosevelt this year By the Associated Press. The consensus of political comment on Alfred E. Smith's statement was as follows: Many leaders believe the statement likely will mean a deadlock of the National Democratic Convention at Chicago. that 770 votes are necessary to nomi- nate, and that 385 are enough to block nomination. Many viewed the Smith statement as having the effect of putting him forward as an actual candidate, though the wording of the statement disavows this Republicans generally tion, believing a fight wit cratic party would bol chances at the electiol New York Press Differs. In his home State of New York Smith found the press comment mixed. The New York Times said, “it is not neces- to infer that Alfred E. Smith is fering from a bad case of that insidious and almost incurable disease, expressed ela- hin the Demo- er Republican | presidentitis. His ambition is honor- able,” and added: “Even the most blindly complacent champion of Gov. | Roosevelt must see that the entrance of Mr. Smith into the contest for the presidency heavily clouds the Gover- | nor's own prospects.” The Times | further believes that Smith’s nomina- | tion will mark a “revival of those re- ligious prejudices which so distressed thoughtful men in 1928." The Herald-Tribune noted Smith's “frankness and directness” to be “in sharp contrast with the pussyfooting and evasive tactics of Franklin D. Roosevelt.” “No man,” the Herald-Tribune said, “will be nominated against his (Smith'’s) wishes. That seems certain.” The Syracuse Post-Standard said Smith's stand “has split the Democratic party so badly * * * that it will be able to present only the illusion of a united front during the campaign.” The Knickerbocker Press of Albany thinks the Smith statement “will serve to rally the Roosevelt opposition.” Sees Aid for Garner. In the adjoining State of New Jersey | the Newark Ledger believes there can be “only one interpretation of his stand,” and that is that Smith “is de- termined to prevent Gov. Roosevelt * * * from obtaining the coveted prize.” The Ledger thinks the Smith statement ‘iwill give great impetus to the movement in favor of Speaker John Garner.” In the South, where Democracy's stronghold lies, much of the comment was in a vein of regret that Smith should have taken this course. “It is unfortunate for the Democratic party,” said the Loulsville Courier-Journal, “for it certainly means a struggle between Smith forces and Roosevelt forces. * * * The statement of Smith's “availability” for the presidential can- %lducyfll;!fi 1nDthe vle: of the Richmond, a., es-Dispatch, *so unnecessary as to be slightly pathetic.” | The Rognoke Times said the “mas- terful statement” will serve to enhance Smith's_influence and position in the | party. The Age-Herald of Birmingham sees reason to regret Smith's “pro- nouncement of receptivity” and says the statement “tears a wheel off the Roosevelt band wagon.” | | _“If the Democrats lose the presidency | this year,” says the Macon, Ga., Tele-| graph, “they may date the beginning of the end of their hopes from today.” The Baltimore Sun, on the othér hand, sees the statement as “a thing of health for the Democratic party and for the Nation, because it promises cl{a;}; L?f opinion and the purification of e.” Held Good for Roosevelt. At Fort Myers, Fla., the News-Press | comments: “Al does not choose to| run, but will accept the nomination if offered. What American would not?” The Herald at Miami believes the Smith statement will “remove the fears of Gov. Roosevelt. * * * The great- est possible threat to his candidacy has been lifted.” The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk notes that the statement does not throw the brown derby into the ring, “but it does | the next thing to it—it lays the derby | directly on the periphery, open side | up.” The News of Greenville, S. C., is convinced the Smith statement will be “received with satisfaction by * * * Democrats generally.” Press comment from other parts of the country is represented in the fol- lowing widely scattered editorial ex- cerpts: “Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: “No one can question the fact that the man who received 15.000,000 votes * * *| must be considered a serious contender | for the nomination.” Makes Race Confusirg. Des Moines Register: effect of the announcement is to make the Democratic race much more of a free-for-all than it was before.” St. Louis Globe Democrat: | path to the nomination of Go velt ought to be made easy.” Los Angeles Times: *“It (the Smith Roose- obtain the nomination * Compared to Mooring Mast. Kansas City Star: s drive of the perate to deadlock the next forces j cratic | rule.” | _The Smith Demo- Portland Cregonian compares is president. “If the nominating airship goes adrift and age.” Waterbury. “Happy piness.to the Republican leaders with |the declaration of his candidacy.” Stand Still Uncertain. Portland. Me., Press-Herald: The Smith announce leaves things | pretty much where they were before. It still isn't certain that “Al” really wants the presidential nomination of his party. He says merely that he will accept it if Conn Smith advocates pointed out Press Divided on Smith Southern Papers in General Regret Former Gov- ernor’s Stand—Division of Democratic Party Seen by Many. 1 | | him undoubtedly is made in z0od faith, | | “The next |the smoke “The | trust he will be Newton D. Baker. announcement) knocks into a cocked | polled 15.916.443 votes for President. hat the chances of Gov. Roosevelt to|Only three men in the history of the \ “The announce- | * i ment means the beginning of a des-|is an event second to none in current,; anti-Roosevelt | political history. Only the withdrawal convention under the two-thirds | of Calvin Coolidge could be of more | | to the mooring mast atop the |long been apparent to close political | Empire State Building of which Smith | observers that Mr. Smith has been Democratic | grooming himse] looks for a place to moor,” the paper he expects the convention to g> into a says, “why, there stands Al, prepared | deadlock and find it necessary to agree, to be the sturdy, experienced anchor-|upon a compromise candidate i Republican: | statement will be received with satisfac- Warrior Smith transfers hap- | tion by numerous friends and support- | | Millions who supported him in 1928 and | will devote his most vigorous efforts, in | any event, to the support of the party's seem remote to the point almost of | € AT Fiav Finich s plainly not | mpossibility There is no deubt about the s tion with which the Republic seen Gov. Smith cast his Ting been that the Democrats would get i a fight over the se dential nominee. In the Smith ti s have | e Their hope for some time has ection of a presi- andi- dacy they see now a great chance for {the way a man aas aggressive as Al Smith would be himself concerning anything which he | cesires very keenly | " Philadelphia Public Ledger: The net result of Mr. Smith's dramatic entrance esidential race is to add to nfused and discordant such a fight. = ; g ¥ g delphia Inquirer: He (Smith) " e mak- |5 nct thrown his hat into the ring, S sseveit bandw D3 ¢ has left it lying conveniently fciumphantly foryard B haty b A e candidates have been produced in a B muen e e number of States. But the tot ber of these favorite-son delega not sufficient to prevent a Roosevelt Of the 1,154 delegates to| & the National Convention, the favorite nomination sons could command, it was figured, only 254, including those from Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma Texas and Virginia, vanced as candidates Senator Le num- | es was | which have ad- Philadelp} grets the attitude taken by Alfred E. ! Smith. It can have only one practical ci, deadiock the convention between th and Roosevelt and nomination of —_— make Roosevelt's nomination impossible if all stand fast Roosevelt and Smith is likely to come Gov. Ritchie, former Senator Reed.|in New Hampshire, where both Smith Gov. White. Gov. Murray, Speaker|and Roosevelt delegates are seeking Garner and former Gov. Byrd, Te-|election to the national convention on spectively. March 8. First Test in New Hampshire. ‘With Smith in the race, the anti Roosevelt and Smith supporters will|to file his name. It is not likely that Smith will be a contender in North Dakota, though his - | friends would have until next Saturday In New York 86 dis- make bids for delegates in New York,!trict delegates of a total of 94 delegates Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Is. - will be chosen April 5. Prediction was land, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire. made today by some New York Demo- Conngeticut and mbine ‘Wisconsin. with the favorite son delegates. would in all probability be enough to gation for P expected 1o express | | of Smith. The first test of strength between tion, tco much to be swallowed easily | | | d 'crats that Smith would have at least!of a cut to 70 cents. there 30. and block a solid New York dele- however. will not agree to | but he might have made it clearer with | Democrat and the nominal leader of THE EVENIN( B i STAR, a pale, compromise conservative of the Garner-Robinson type, who would out- Hoover Hoover. The Montgomery (Ala) Advertiser— Of course, Mr. Smith has a right to be a candidate. He is well within his priv- fleges, but he is merely inviting an- other great disappointment for him- self, and is inviting a furious intra- party war that may leave some unfor- tunate scars. * * * There is something unpleasant about his candidacy in the circumstances. Roosevelt deserves a better deal at the hands of Smith. The Memphis Commercial-Appeal— Gov. Smith makes his position clear, the frank statement that he is a can- didate. * * * The fact appears that the undercurrent of his important an- nouncenrent is that he is a candidate for the nomination, that he would ac- cept it gladly, snd that althcugh he himself is not making a pre-convention campaign to secure it. he rather expects | his friends to work toward that end. | Boston Globe—He (Smith) may or may not prove to be the favorite son of New York, but there may be other Commonwealths in the Union which prefer him to any one else. In the field against Mr. Roosevelt Mr. Smith is cer- tainly the leader. Manchester, N. H., Union—The brief. statement is loaded with dynamite, fraught with potential destruction to the candidacy of Gov. Roosevelt. The im- mediate reaction in New Hampshire was not startling, probably because its tenure was anticipated Galveston (Tex.) Trib “Smith took the only position gflinble as a his party. He could not afford to come out openly against Gov. Roosevelt, especially since it 15 possible that he may have to support the New York Governor in the election campaign next Summer. Helena (Mont.) Independent: No one can object to his remaining on neutral ground during the pre-convention cam- paign. * * * The Independent is opposed to the nomination of former Gov. Smith. Boston Herald: “Al's” failure to say that he now looks with favor on the Roosevelt movement is =quivalent, un- der all the circumstances, to a declar- ation that he is tentatively against the Governor. Let it be noticed, however, that Mr. SmitH has so pbrased his statement that he may eventually be- come pro-Roosevelt or pro-anybody in order to avold a deadlock and a Mad- ison Square Garden ruction. Good News for Republicans. Denver Post: That is the best news the Republicans have had since Hoover polled 444 electoral votes to 87 for Smith in the 1928 campaign. His an- nouncement indicates he is determined to rule or ruin his party. Albuquerque Journal: We can think of nothing more fortunate for the Re- publican party. His candidacy will be accepted as an effort to kill off Gov. Roosevelt. © The voters decided four years ago against the Smith-Raskob leadership. Hartford (Conn.) Courant: His (Smith’s) announcement that he will accept the nomination if tendered to but he doubtless knows only too well the nature of the opposition that would inevitably raise itself against him, and in all likelihood he envisions himself less as the nominee of the convention than as its dictator, with the power to name a nominee other than himself. Damaging to Roosevelt. Providence Journal: The effect of the Smith statement is primarily damaging to the Roosevelt candidacy. It implies the election of a group of Smith dele- gates from New York itself, though ordinarily the incumbent Governor would be assured of the State’s undi- vided support. * * * The ex-Governor * * * may easily develop into a for- midable candidate before the winner of the prize secures the necessary two- thirds majority. If Mr. Smith fails to win the nomination, he may, neverthe- less, be able to dictate it. St. Louis Globe-Democrat: Its mean- ing for 15,000,000 Democrats can be appreciated by imagining that it was| of opposite effect and that he would make a fight, with the division of coun- sel and dissension a fight by Al Smith would engender. The path to the nom- ination of Gov. Roosevelt ought to be made easy. All things considered, it must be pronounced a very wise deci- sion on Mr. Smith’s part, one that again evidences his political astuteness and one also that will much improve she technical position of his party in the 1932 campaign. Cleveland Plain Dealer: Neither friends nor foes of the Roosevelt cause can get much comfort from the Smith statement. * * he Smith candi- dacy is no more a¥enace to the hopes of Roosevelt than it was before Mr. Smith made his statement. * * * When of battle clears, both are likely to be on the ground, with the prize being carpied away by one whose entrance has been less spectacular. We | 1928 Vote Cited. Boston Post: Alfred E. Smith in 1928 United States * * * ever received more emphatic indorsements from the elec- | torate. * * * Therefore, Gov. Smith’ * * entrance into the 1932 contest| of President Hoover or the candidacy far-reaching efTect. Boise (Idaho) Statesman: It has 1f as & dark horse can- He virtually admits that didate. Greenville (S. C.) News: Mr. Smith’s | ers in 1928 and by Democrats generally. who still hold him in the highest esteem are convinced that the party should select unother nominee this vear. They will receive Mr. Smith’s statement as| assurance that he will take no personal | initiative adverse to that course and | cause. Raleigh (N. C.) News and Observer— Cov. Smith has had his chance. The sastrous effects of his candidacy on e Democratic party are too well known to admit of argument. No counting of the popular ballots can temper the final | argument that the Democratic party | will not unitedly follow the leadership | Charlotte (N. C) News—The stage is | set for Smith, but it is also set for Roosevelt, or Baker, or Ritchie, or, for that matter, any good Democrat. The main thing is to select the candidate upon whom we all may unite for vic- tory. Al Smith is not that man. That r‘as proved beyond doubt in 1928, when ’he drys deserted him, when the anti- Catholics deserted him, when conserv- atives deserted him; when many ex- pressed their fear that his alliance with Tammany was, in spite of his whole- some infiuence in that body of corrup- by Democracy of the South. Stevedore Strike Ends. NEW YORK, February 8 () —Two hundred and fifty stevedores employed by the Grace Line will return to work immediately under a settlement reached today between union officials and the company. The stevedores will receive the old rate of 85 cents an hour instead e company, y this wage for a year. STAND SEEN BLOW ATGOV. ROOSEVELT Smith Statement Draws Wide Comment—Candidates Are Silent. By the Associated Press NEW YORK, February 8 —Alfred E. Smith looked significantly today at the sword of presidential candidacy, sheathed at the 1928 polls, and an- nounced himself willindto go again to the political wars. “If the Democratic National Conven- tion * * * should decide that it wants me to lead. I will make the fight,” he ;fijaid. in a terse statement published to- ay The statement itself was widely con- strued in editorial comment as in effect a thrust against the ‘candidacy of Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York— the man who nominated Smith for the presidential nomination at the 1928 Democratic National Convention and sent him forward to the contest of votes ! as the “Happy Warrior” of Democracy..1932. Candidates Are Silent. Gov. Roosevelt declined to comment. So also did Gov. Ritchie, an avowed candidate; Speaker Garner and New- ton D. Baker, each of whom has been mentioned as & presidential possibility. He was asked if he would forbid the use of his name in States that do not require the consent of a candidate for nomination. “I don’t see how I can stop any one | from doing anything,” he said. Loyalty for Party. “Will you support any candidate se- | lected by the convention?” “I am a Democrat. answer.” “Does this permit your friends to enter your name in various State pri- maries?” “I will answer that by repeating I'll make no pre-convention campaign.” Smith declined to discuss any party issues. Asked what he thought the principal issue of the campaign would be. he said: “I don’t know.” TAX ON LEE ESTATE SUSTAINED BY COURT Deficiency Levy of $8544 for Transfer by Will Upheld in District. That is your The estate of Robert E. Lee, jr., of Virginia, who died in 1922, must pay a deficiency tax of $8,544.39 for the transfer by will of his interest in the estate of his father, Gen. W. H. F. Lee, who died in 1891, according to an opin- ion of the District Court of Appeals rendered today by Chief Justice George E. Martin. The court affirmed the ac- tion of the Board of Tax Appeals, which had sustained the tax. _Gen. Lee's will had left everything to his widow, Mary Tabb Lee, for life and at her death to his sons, Robert E. Lee, jr., and George Bolling Lee. Robert E. Lee, jr., died before his mother and provided by will that his interest in the undivided estate of his father should go to his wife, Mary M. Lee, for life or widowhood and at her death or {emarflnge to his brother, George B. ee. The tax was laid under the authori- ty of section 402 of the revenue act of 1821 which imposes a transfer tax upon property passing under a general power of appointment, which the court holds may be exercised by will alone. FARM LOAN DEBENTURES 815,000,000 Left Unsold on February 15. By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, February 8.—The Fed- eral Reconstruction Finance Corpora- tion made its debut today as $15.000,- 000 worth of the Federal intermediate credit banks’ 5 per cent collateral trust debentures went on sale to the public. ‘The $2,000,000,000 Government credit | corporation will take all or any por- | tion of these debentures remaining un- sold on February 15, the beginning of a four-month period of maturity. The Federal intermediate credit banks were created under an act of Con- gress to provide credits for agriculture. ‘The four-month debentures which com- prise the present offering will be secured by loans and discounts repre- senting advances by the banks for pro- duction and marketing of crops and live stock. FUGITIVE INDICTED . IN ILSLEY SLAYING George Crawford, Colored, Ex-Con- vict, Accused of Killing Virginia Woman and Maid. Special Dispatch to The Star. LEESBURG, Va., February 8. —George | Crawford, colored ex-convict sought,.as a suspect in the murder of Mrs. Spencer Iisley and her maid at Middieburg January 13, was indicted today by the Loudoun County grand jury on a double charge of first-degree murder. The indictments were among the first returned by the grand jury on the open- ing day of the February term of court Crawford is formally charged on two separate counts with slaying Mrs. Illsley, widow of a retired banker and promi- nent socially in Virginia, and Mrs. Mina Buckner, 3 maid, at a cottage on the Ilisley estate. The women were beaten | to\death with a bootjack. ‘Since the murders a Nation-wide search has been conducted for the colored former employe, who is believed to have fled in a car stolen from the | Tisley garage on the night of the crime. | Laise: Rewards totaling $3,000 have been offered for the arrest and conviction of the slayer or slayers. dential Fight If the De By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, February 8—The statement by Alfred E. Smith on Sat- urday and made public today follow “So many inquiries have come to me trom friends throughout the country. who worked for and believe in me, as to my attitude in the present political situation that I feel that I owe it to my friends and to the millions of men and women who supported me so WASHINGTON, D. C., Text of Smith Statement Former Governor Says He Will Make the Presi- yention Decides It Wants Him to Lead. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1932. CANNON SEES DRY Bishop Says Smith Will Not Be Accepted by Six States in South. The political pronouncement of Al- fred E. Smith has made prohibition | once more an outstanding issue in the national political campaign, in the opipion of Bishop James Cannon, jr., leader of the opposition to Smith n the South in 1928. The text of the Southern Methodist bishop's statement follows: “Gov. Smith evidently believes that he can secure the support of all those | who voted for him in 1928 and sufficient | | added support in the South and North- | | east to change the overwhelming defeat | of 1928 into at least & small majority in tly desires the nomination and has adopted the very best method to secure it under existing conditions. | _“I belleve he is utterly mistaken if he thinks that the six Southern States which repudiated his wet Tammany leadership in 1928 will accept that leadership in 1932, If the issue be- comes once more moral principles and leadership versus party regularity—the | maintenance or repeal of the eight- | eenth amendment—the same people will be found in 1932 as in 1928 bat- tling for moral principles and the eighteenth amendment against wet Tammany partisan regularity. | _“Gov. Smith's statement has regret- | ably but necessarily made prohibition to be once more an outstanding issue in the national political campaign. “It is devoutedly to be desired, but hardly to be expected, that the Demo- | cratic party leaders will refuse to yield | to the evidently irrepressible longing of the wet Tammany sachem to remain the titular head of the Democratic party. “Will dry Southern Democratic party leaders again fail the Southern people as they did in 1928, or will they flatly refuse to follow this wet Tammany leader to another disgraceful defeat?"” 'HOUSE ORDERS PROBE ' OF LOW SILVER VALUE | Method of Stabilizing and Inter- national Parley Plan to Be Studied. By the Associated Press. An investigation into the depressed value of silver was ordered today by the House. The study will be made by the House Coinage Committee, under the direction of Chairman Somers. ‘The inquiry will be directed into the cause and effect of the depressed value of silver, the monetary policies ‘of all countries and their relation to the value of silver, methdds stabilizing the value cf silver and the advisability of | an international conference to con- |sider methods by which, by inter- naticnal co-operation, the value of silver | can be stabilized. | The resolution authorizing the study | was passed without a record vote. In explaining the need for the in- quiry to the House, Somers said the | committee would direct its “toward finding a solution which shall preserve the integrity of the gold | standard, because that system seems | best suited to the habits and customs of the people of the United States.” HOLDS POWE R TRUST Wheeler Tells Senate Problem Will | Be Vital Issue if New York Governor Is Named. By the Associated Press. | The Senate was told today by Senator | | candidat Wheeler, Democrat, Montana, that power interests are out to stop the | nomination of Gov. Roosevelt of New | York as the Democratic presidential | candidate. | | furiously over yesterday's announce | ment by Alfred E. Smith of his willing. | ness to accept the nomination again Wheeler, an avowed advocate of Roc velt, & senting a report on the Mus Ala., power and nitrate plant “The power question” he said, be a vital issue in the next camp | unless the power trust is successful i stopping the nomination of Gov velt. Wittingly or unwittingly are lending themselves to trust movement to stop Roosevelt.” | There no mention of Smith or of any other’ candidate. e Shoals, Roc 'WILL CONSIDER LIGHTING | Hyattsville Council to Study Pro- posed New Contract. Special Dispatch to The Star. | HYATTSVILLE, Md., February 8.— Consideration will be given to the pro- | posed new contract tor street lights { here at the regular monthly meeting of | the mayor and Common Council to- night at 8 o'clock in the Municipal Building. | A regular meeting of the Hyattsville | Fire Department also will be held to- night in the social room in the Munic- ipal Building at 8 o'clock. | | G. E. Henson Rites Held. WINCHESTER, Va, February (Special).—Funeral rites were heid at Bunker Hill, W. Va. today for George | E. Henson, 58, superintendent of the C | H. Musselman Co. fruit and vegctable | packing plant at Inwood, whose death |in a hospital here followed a surgical operation. A member of a prominent Berkeley County family, he T ved | by his widow, formerly Miss Mabel C. one daughter. Miss Elizabeth | Henson, #hd his mother, Mrs. Ji | Henson. He was a member of Methodist Episcopal Church. es th mocratic National Con- “If the Democratic National Conven- | tion, after careful consideration. should | decide that it wants me to lead, I will | make the fight; but I will not make a | pre-convention campaign to secure the | support of delegates. “By action of the Democratic Na- tional Convention of 1928 I am_the ‘l ader of my party in the Nation. With | a full sense of the responsibility thereby | imposed, I shall not in advance of the convention either suj oF oppose the candidacy of any aspirant for the nomination. efforts | As political leaders still speculated ought up the discussion in pre- | SSE REAROSED | < He therefore greatly, most ar-|in i | \ | | 8| der s From South and Indicate The declaration of férmer Gov. fred E. Smith of New York yesterday was almost unanimously accepted in political circles in the Capital today as definitely placing the 1928 Democratic presidential nominee in the forthcom- ing presidential race ‘The round of comment gathered here Al- Smith 1 Opposition Seen Full Recognition in 1928—FEasterners West Feel He Was Given Support. and impartial statement. .Mr. Smith says plainly he will make no move to secure delegates. To have gone fur- ther would have been to say he did not wish to be President, and no American, I believe, can truthfully say that. He | could not in his position support any one candidate.” on the statement disclosed no new calls | for the Democratic standard-bearer of 1928, and showed many of his old fol- | particularly in the South Northwest, now definitely a New York’s two Democratic Sen- ators-+Wagner and _ Copeland —w not here. Senator Walsh. Democrat, Massachusetts, declared for Smith Gov. Ritchie of Maryland. an an- nounced candidaté for the nomina- tion, who was in made no comment. Robinson Sees Wisdom. lowers. and nst him. Senator Robinson of Arkansas, the vice presidential nominee with Smith 1928, briefly observed that Smith was “wise in announcing that he will not campaign for the nomination or support or oppose other candidates for | that distinction.” Here is what they said about it Representative Rainey, of Hlinois, Democratic floor leader: “Mr. Smith has definitely thrown his hat into the ring. 1 expect to support whoever is nominated by the convention.” Senator Glass, Democrat, Virginia: “Most persons will interpret the state- ment to mean that Gov. Smith is de- termined to participate in a movement to stop Roosevelt. Beyond accomplish- ing this result. I am unable to see that the statement is particularly signifi- cant.” Senator Walsh, Democrat, Mas chusetts: “The members of his party who favor his renomination are now free to work to that end and, in the light of his statement. that is the clearly indicated course. Gov. Smith is by long odds the first choice of an overwhelming majorii of Massa- chusetts Democracy tods Sheppard Sees Danger. Senator Sheppard, Democrat, Texas: “Gov. Smith was given full recognition in 1928. I had hoped that he would not become a candidate this year and that he would thus aid in securing a united party at a time when Demo- cratic prospects are unusually bright. His nomination would again involve the party in dangerous controversy.” Senator Black, Democrat, Alabama: “I think the Democrats of my State will support some one else.” Senator Gore, Democrat, Oklahoma: “I believe the Democratic candidate this year should have ability and avail- ability. Gov. Smith has ability, any Democratic candidate who lost Texas, Florida, Virginia and North Carolina cannot be said to have availa- bility.” Senator Wheeler, Mon- tana: heartedly in the last campaign convinced, however, that he could not win this year if nominated. I am convinced that Gov. Roosevelt, if nom- inated. can win by an overwhelming majority.” McKellar Prefers Roosevelt. Senator McKellar, Democrat, Ten- nessee: “He had his chance in 1928 and I think it would now be wisest for the Democratic party and the big thing for him to do to stand aside and let the nomination go to another Dem- ocrat. I prefer Gov. Roosevelt.” Senator Watson of Indiana, Republi- can leader: “Gov. Smith got more votes in 1928 than were ever polled by any Democratic nominee for President. How many of his supporters have left him is conjectural, and how many of those who voted for Hoover for one reason or another have since been alienated from him is also problematical.” Senator Lewis, Democrat, “No doubt Gov. Smith has it to his attention that President Cleve- land, nominated in 1888 and beaten Democrat, | that year by President Harrison, was Corporation to Take Any Part ofi OPPOSES ROOSEVELT renominated in 1892 and on the same issues of 1888 President Cleveland was ted.” enator King, Democrat, Utah: “His t will be regarded as equiva- ish that he shall not be con- stat, lent to a w sidered a candidate and that some other person shall be chosen to lead the arty. P enator Conmally, Democrat, Texas: . Smith was honored in 192 ought now in the interest of the party efface himself from the picture. The times call for new leadership and a new Pittman Voices Approval. Senator Pittman, Democrat, Nevada: “There is another able and patriotic statesman added to the list of possible presidential candidates.” Representative _Dougless, His statement en- ables the chusetts delegation_to go to the convention pledged to Gov Smith.” Representative Stegall, Demoerat, Alabama: “I am not in favor of the nomination of Gov. Smith. He has a great many loyal Democrats supporting him and they are entitled to a candi- date as well as anybody else. Representative Bloom, Democrat, New York: I think it is a perfectly fair 1,000 REWARD SET - IN ILSLEY SLAYING 23,000 Circulars Will Extend Search for George Crawford Across Entire Country. Twenty-three thousand circulars of- ring a $1.000 reward for the capture of George Crawford, 32, colored. and an accomplice in connection with the mur- der January 18 of Mrs. Agnes Boeing Tisley ent Middleburg, Va., so- ciety woman, and her maid, Mrs. Nina ner, are to be distributed through- the country, it was announced to- The circulars have been printed un- the supervision of the common- wealth's a of Loudoun Count ington Police D Detective Se ned to go to Leesburg, V. 3 authorities there in_obtaining an in- dictment against Crawford. Grand jury acti it is pointed out. Crawford may ve readily extra he is arrested fingerprints and and give a de- They also describe to aid dited tailed description. the accomplice. PLANS RADIO LAW TALKS Dr. Hayden to Give Series of Lec- tures at Catholic U. A series of lectures on radio law will be given by Dr. James J. Hayden of the Catholic University School of Law on Mondays at 8 p.m., beginning tonight and continuing through the Spring ses sion. The first lecture will be on the radio act of 192 Dean John McDill Fox of the Law School has emphasized the study of air laws and the researches and lectures in both radio and aviation law are pub- lished in an annual Air Law Bulletin Teacher Named in St;:luy’-, LEONARDTOWN, Md., February 8 (Special).—Miss Dorsthy Beecherer just been appointed to teach the co mercial course at the St. Mary's Female loyally in 1928 to make my position clear. ALFRED E. SMITH. Seminary, at St. Marys City. the Capital today, | but | “I supported Gov. Smith whole- | Iam] Democrat, | Sces Roosevelt Block. Senator George, Democrat, Georgia: It must be obvious to Mr. Smith that he will not be nominated by the next Democratic convention. That being the | case, it is no longer possible to escape the conclusion that his stated willing- ness to lead the party in 1932 is part of a definite campaign to block the nomination of other candidates, especially Gov. Roosevelt Senator Coolidge, Democrat. Massa- chusetts: “Gov. Smith’s statement clearly indicates that he is a receptive candidate for renomination and leaves his candidacy in the hands of his friends. If Gov. Smith's name is before the convention, Massachusetts can be counted on to support him loyally as} in the past.” SR Senator Fess of Ohio, the Republican National Committee: “The statement was not unexpected It set the stage for the free piay of those forces which in recent years have | attempted wtih increasing = emphasis and with some success to dominate the Democratic party. * * * A convention of Democrats so constituted that their | leader if he cannot win the nomina- | t‘lgn Ioar é\ll;ns!d[ uc; ertheless can name e candidate, w i | il ill provide a show chairman of | Gov. George White of Ohio: “Mr. Smith has done only what s the privilege of every American citizen. I | feel that his statement has cleared the atmosphere regarding his poeition i the forthcoming campaign.’ Gov. Pollard of Virginia: “Mr. Smith has made a great mistake. James Farley, New York State Demo- cratic chairman: “Gov. Smith has a perfect right to issue the statement.” In New York Tammany leaders were uncommunicative. John F. Curry, leader of Tammany, said he would not | comment until_he ‘saw the statement in the paper. Edward J. Flynn, secre- | tary of State and Bronx Democratic | leader, smiled and said nothing. | Norris Foresees Failure. Senator George W. Norris, Republ can, Nebraska: “The Demn(‘n!lcpparltlv has a remarkable record for making a |damn fool of itself at a crucial time when it has the world by the tail and a downhill pull. It is expected to | repeat its usual performance. This is truly a Democratic year and the elec- tion would be a cinch for the Demo- crats if they could be harmonious.” Isidore B. Dockweiler, Democrat; national committeeman for Cllt |fornia: “The announcement of for- mer Gov. Alfred E. Smith of New York will cause no change in the plan for a_delegation from California pledged | to support Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt. | The organization men who are sup- ‘pnrl;ml Roosevelt are the same ones who supported Smith four years ago.” Michael L. Igoe, Democratic national | committeeman from Illinois: “Al Smith would sweep the State if he were to file in the Illinois preferential primary. Smith is the outstanding man in America today who speaks the lan- guage of the people. He’s always been for the underdog and this campaign is a fight for the underdog. Long before he was generally mentioned as a candi- date I found them talking about him.” Mayor Anton J. Cermak of Chicago: We have agreed to support Senator | Lewis, and I think the delegation from Illinois will be pledged to him. Cox Sees Chance for Test. Former Gov. James M. Cox of Ohio: Gov. Smith, of course, is moved by the urge of his friends. No man in public life since Blaine and Bryan has had such a large personal following. Natu- rally there is a feeling that he is en- | titled to another chance. He has opened the way to determine just how wide- spread that is. Samuel I Kessler, State committee- man of Essex County, N. J.: If Smith is nominated, I believe he will have a s.lendid chance of being elected. I do not believe he has lost the support of a single one of the 15,000,000 people who voted for him in 1928, and their votes alone will be sufficient to elect him this | time | Col. William M. Kelly, chairman of the Essex County Democratic Commit- | tee: If Alfred E. Smith is nominated, I | feel certain that he will carry New Jer- sey and the Nation 0. G. Christgau, assistant to Dr. F. Scott McBride, general superintendent | of the Anti-Saloon League: The Anti- Saloon League will oppose the nomina- tion or election of Smith or any other wet candidate. Undoubtedly Mr. Raskob | and other strong wets will be for Smith in the Democratic Convention. They may get him on the ticket, but will never get him in ‘the White House. The people have too much common sense to elect any presidential candidate | who favors liquor. Better business and | more jobs cannot be brought back by the return of their greatest enemy, | booze. EYESTRAIN BLAMED FOR ‘TIRED FEELING’ Cause of Nervous Exhaustion Told to Optometrists in Ses- sion Here. | Eyestrain was blamed today for “that | run-down feeling” by E. F. Tait, professor of optometry at the Pennsylvania State | Coilege of Optometry at the optome- trists’ convention at the Raleigh Hotel. | Prof. Tait declared that in thousands of cases unsuspected eyestrain deviate | the nervous system to the point of com- plete exhaustion without manifesting itself in the eye. Tomorrow, the last day of the con- | gress, Jerome Heather, D. O. 8, of the Northern Illinois College of Optometry, | at Chicago, will discuss “Campimetry |and Perimetry” and “Vicious View- | points, or Optometric _Strabismus.” Tonight the organization will put busi- | ness aside for the time being for the | annual banquet and dance of the soctety. | s A B e GIRLS’ COURSE TO VBEGIN | Scout Training at Headquarters Under Miss Philipson’s Direction. A Girl Scout leaders’ training course was opened today at Girl Scout head- | quarters by Miss Alice Philipson of New York, regional trainer for this district. | | Instructions will be given throughout | the week. Three other training courses are be- ing held this month in Girl Scout work | in this city. A course in advanced work | for leaders is being given Tuesday eve- | nings at Girl Scout headquarters. An- | other course in advanced work is being | given Tuesday mornings at the home ol | Mrs. W. L. New, 208 Primrose street, | Chevy Chase Md., while a Brownie training course is being given tomorrow |and Wednesday by Mr. Adolphus Sta- | ton. | | 150 Held in Berlin Clashes. BERLIN, Pebruary 8 (#).—One hun- BRITAIN HITS PLAN 10 ARM LEAGL Disputes Contention Wor! Police Are Necessary to Effect Peace. (Continued From First Page.) embodied in the general treaty forr lated at QGeneva, the British deleg continued. “We are ready to co-of ate in whatever methods are found m practical for an agreed reduction in size of ships and the maximum caliber,” he sald, “as well as n practical application of the princip! prohibiting land guns above a cert caliber. “Many peace conferences have fa before this,” he said, “and the cor quences of their failure are written (1 letters of blocd in the history of world, but failure now means noth short of unmeasured and fmmeasura calamity. We will have to proceed w our task through many weeks months, consclous of the doom wh is in store for mankind if some pr tical recults are not achieved. ‘We represent the mass of people all lands. the people who fight the and are hoping even agatnst hope Wise issue from our deliberations, I sunt quia posse videntur: Success cor to those who are resovled to succee Sums Up British Proposals. Sir John summed up the British } posals thus “We accept as a basis for our furt! discussions the general scheme of draft of the disarmament conventior “We accept. in general, the meth and limitations with reference to t establishment of maxima contained the convention. We support the est lishment of a permanent disarmam commission. We urge the abolition gas and chemical warfare, We press the abolition of submarmes “The abolition of conseription is we realize. a subject with controver aspects, but we seek and urge ur others the most practical course limiting by agreement the number effectives. “The temptation to resort to arm conflict is obviously reduced if defe: is strengthened at the expense of s tack and, since our common object not to increase, but to diminish sum total of armaments and their « pense, it follows that we must dire speclal attention to such limitations will weaken attack and so rem temptation.” e warlike activities in the East, he said, merely reinforce urgent necessity of achleving a red tion of armaments. Parley at Right Time. “A paradox is being pointed I said, “that while disarmament is. be discussed at Geneva, in the Far E: armaments are being employed, bom are dropping from the skies, troops now on the move and the ideals the Covenant are in jeopardy. “I don't agree with those who st gest that this paradox makes our me ing inopportune. Now is the accept time for the promotion of disarn ment; the work of effective inter: tional disarmament will not be r dered easier, but will become m. difficult as the years go ¢ . unless accomplish something now.” The memories of those who we ¢t through the horrors of the World War are fading, he said, and many men and women who are participating in :'?:l d;n*;tlon of D;Jblklc affairs have no nd personal know events of 1914-1918, TR Emphasizing the difference in arma- ments of victor and vanquished natio he proposed “a practical application a system of agreed limitation of arn ments by the establishment of a ! datum line as between states.” F “In seeking to fix the proper lin t in each case,” he sald, “we cannot ¢ pect to arrive at a mathematical cc respondence in actual figures, for cc siderations of size and geography arl special needs all introduce factors variation; natlonal circumstances v: and armaments may vary with the * * * A state that has been reduc: its armaments in recent years naturally and properly expect this f to be borne in mind and that W I dwell upon the importance of est lishing upon sound principles the cc ception of a datum line in order tk we may effectively enter upon the ta of further reduction of armaments t gether.” Strict Attention Paid Speech. All the delegates listened to the Br ish spokesman with keen attenti Only Chancellor Heinrich Bruening Germany had a copy of Sir Joh: manuscript. Dino Grandi, head of t Italian delegation; Maxim Litvino! head of the Russian delegation, a Andre Tardfeu, French spokesmen, = had telephone gear clamped upon the ears to get the translation as it w read. Gibson listened intently. Ti Japanese delegation’ made hasty nc as Sir John spoke In remarks which appeared directs especially toward the French declara tion, Sir John sharply declared “Disarmament is pursued first ar foremost as an effective method buttressing peace and limiting the risk and sufferings of sudden and devastat ing_war. “In this respect an immense chang has come over the judgment of ti world. The proposition that the peac of the world is to be secured by pre paring for war is no longer believed t anybody, for recent history manifestl disproves it. A high level of armamer is no substitute for security. At best cnly creates the illusion of security i one quarter, while at the same tim aggrevating the sense of insecurity ir another. “The security which we set before u as our ideal is security for all, and s¢ curity for all fundamentally depends ot armament reduction i of “Armaments are symp.oms pathological condition. Piling up arma ments is, at best, attempt to ri one's self of the plague by infecting one’s neighbors. A distracted mankinc may feel that armaments are inevita ble, but as an instrument for world peace we know that they are useless Our problem, therefore, is to de- liver the world from despair and to dc so, not by exhausting ourselves ove melancholy reflections, but by a reso- lute course of practical and applied energy. “Great Britain recognizes two prac- tical methods of limiting armaments by international agreement: One by fix ing maximum limits and the other by excluding certain methods or -instru ments of warfare from use. I desire to announce on behalf of the govern- ment of Great Britain that we advo- cate both these methods and will do our utmost, in loyal and friendly co- operation with other states, to help de- vise and bring into effect plans to apply them. Both methods are em- bodied in the draft of the Disarma- ment Convention.” MAN, 80, HURT IN FALL Henry C. Bascley, Bethesda, Re- ported in Serious Condition. By a Staff Correspondent of The Star. BETHESDA, Md., February 8—Fail- ing down stairs in a home here where he boarded, Henry C. Barcley, 80 years old, this morning received & broken lef: leg’ and severe shock. Because of his age, doctors consider his condition as serlous. 3 Mrs. C. Babenrein of Edson Lane and the Rockville pike, with whom Barcley boarded, folmcr him lying on the back porc] norning when she went to invy nolse in the rear of the gate dred and mg litical agitators were srrested by Berlin police yesterday as the result of clashes between Com- ! munists and National Socialists over the week end. /) e. The D tment ncy ho e squad of the Bethesda > nt gave him first aid then took him