HUMPHREY IS FAVOURED FOR NUMBER 2

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30528, 25 August 1964, Page 15

HUMPHREY IS FAVOURED FOR NUMBER 2

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) ATLANTIC CITY, August 24. The Democratic Party convention, moved towards its opening in Atlantic City tonight with President Johnson’s running mate still unnamed and the fight over credentials of two Southern delegations unresolved.

Senator Hubert Humphrey was a strong favourite in the Vice-Presidential stakes, with his fellow Senator from Minnesota, Eugene McCarthy, next.

Both said yesterday they had received nd word from the President, but they talked with him by telephone last night after appearing together on television. Later Senator McCarthy left Atlantic City and was reported to have gone to Washington. He is one of three Roman Catholics believed to be in the running. Before the delegates and alternates gather in the huge Oceanside . convention hall, the credentials committee must grapple with challenges to delegations from the Southern States of Mississippi and Alabama.

There is a strong possibility of the issue being taken to the convention floor, although Senator Humphrey said on television he was sure •the conference would be “harmonious” and “I don’t expect any delegation to leave the hall.”

The Mississippi case, in particular, could have wideranging political repercussions for President Johnson. A predominantly - Negro group from the State’s. Democratic Freedom Party is challenging the regular all-white delegation for the convention seat.

If it is seated at the expense of the whites, a Southern walk-out could be started off to hurt the President’s standing in the Southern

States. On the other hand rejection of the Negroes would anger Negro civil rights workers and hurt the President in the North.

The “freedom delegation” leader, Dr. Aaron Henry, yesterday rejected any possible “back of the bus” compromise which would seat both groups but with his in the position of observers without votes. ‘Go Fishing’ And Dr. Martin . Luther King, the Negro civil rights leader, said the natural reaction of Negro voters to such a compromise would be “to go fishing on election day.” The Alabama delegation has been challenged because its State’s Presidential electors are not pledged to support Mr Johnson if the State votes Democratic. Last night all but four of

the 36 Alabamans refused to sign a party loyalty pledge as the price of their being seated. They vowed to take the matter to the floor tonight. in spite of • these troubles, the Democrats seem to be more relaxed than were the Republicans at San Francisco. With ■ bright sunshine and temperatures in the 70s, the blue Atlantic is inviting, and it has been rumoured that the organisers have had a hard time ensuring the airconditioned hall will be filled for all public sessions. Although he is 188 miles away in Washington, the President dominates the hall and.the city. “L.B.J. for the U.S.A.” posters, with his portrait superimposed on a map of the nation, appear everywhere. President Johnson is not expected until Wednesday or Thursday. The nominations—and certain endorsement—will come on Wednesday night. ' One of Congress’s best “give ’em hell” orators, Senator John Pastore, of Rhode Island, will deliver the keynote address tonight. Party unity, peace and responsibility are expected to be his major themes.