Democrats Prepare To Pick Candidate

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29251, 8 July 1960, Page 13

Democrats Prepare To Pick Candidate

(Rec. 10 p.m.) LOS ANGELES, July The. Democratic Party chairman, Mr Paul Butler, today faced charges from fellow-Democrats that he was trying to block a “draft Stevenson for President” movement at next week’s party nominating convention. •

The charge came as political pulses all over the nation quickened to the last-minute bickering and manoeuvring in the race for the Democratic nomination.

Supporters of Mr Adlai Stevenson made their complaints in the wake of the charges by the former President, Mr Harry Truman, at the week-end that the convention, opening on Monday was "rigged” in favour of Seator John Kennedy.

The Stevenson supporters drew up a “bill of particulars” to support Mr Truman’s contentions, but also claimed that Mr Butler was playing petty politics in a deliberate effort to stop Mr Stevenson.

Mr James Doyle, campaign manager of the Stevenson-for-Presi-dent movement, charged that Mr Butler was denying "equal rights” with suporters of other candidates for getting floor passes, reserved seats and gallery seats. The latest unofficial first-ballot tally of committed delegates at the convention today gave Senator Kennedy 540} votes. Senator

Lyndon Johnson 231, Senator Stuart Symington 77} and Mr Stevenson 36.

The number of votes required to capture the nomination is 761. Hundreds of political signs were hoisted in the city today as the Democratic delegates gathered. Some said:

“Drive safely—the life you save may be a vote for Stevenson.” “Madly for Adlai” and “We Need Adlai badly.” The backers of the man who twice failed to defeat President Eisenhower say they have not got as much money as the others, so they are using placards and banners left over from 1956.

“All the way with LBJ.” (Senator Lyndon B. Johnson, of Texas, who declared himself a candidate yesterday and who is running second in the Democratic race so far).

“Let’s back Jack” (Senator John Kennedy, of Massachusetts, who leads). “I’m for Stu—how about you?” (Senator Stuart Symington, of Missouri, who is Mr Truman’s choice).