National Affairs: Conventionale

Gore. The laborious effort of Senator James A. Reed to get nominated at the convention took a surprising turn when onetime (1907-21) Senator Thomas Pryor Gore of Oklahoma stood up to second. Mr. Gore is blind but Mr. Gore is cheerful. Excerpts from the Gore speech: "Four years ago the Republican Party went to New England to pick a candidate. This year they have to go to old England." "Republicans already have begun to sing 'My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean.'" "Mr. Hoover went too far and stayed too long." "Let us all make up, no matter whom we have to kiss. . . . We shall, as Democrats, have at least one advantage—we won't have to kiss in the dark. You see, we haven't revoked the segregation law." "There was one piece of sardonic humor in the events at the Republican Convention at Kansas City. I refer to that plank in the Republican platform in which they say, 'We stand for honesty in Government.' Now, why bring that up?" "Senator Borah wants to refund the wages of sin, but how in hell does Borah know they ain't gonna steal no more?" "Hays improved on Patrick Henry. He strikes an attitude, with hand on heart and says, 'Give me Liberty Bonds or cash!": "The Republican party has done much to relieve the farmer—of his farm." Listeners, observing that the Gore technique closely resembled that of Funnyman Will Rogers, who is also an Oklahoman, wondered what it is that makes Oklahomans funny. Heflin. James Thomas ("Tom Tom") Heflin, senior Senator from Alabama, who mortally hates and fears the Roman Pope and who loudly and repeatedly predicted that Smith would not be nominated, was speechmaking to Ku Klux Klan audiences in the East during convention week. He sent a $22 telegram urging the Alabama delegation to cast no votes for Smith at any time. All but one Alabama delegate obeyed him. He was Heffling in Towanda, Pa., when he learned that Smith was nominated. He said: "I am shocked, grieved and dumbfounded. . . . He will, of course, be defeated in November."

Walsh. Another who did not go to Houston was Thomas James Walsh, senior Senator from Montana, who withdrew his candidacy in favor of Smith after the latter won the California primary. Senator Walsh's comment on the nomination was: "Governor Smith is the most striking figure that has appeared on the political stage since Roosevelt."

Rickard. George L. ("Tex") Rickard, Manhattan prizefight promoter, who was indigent when he left Texas years ago, went to Houston in a private car. His opinion was sought on some holes in the glass of an elevator door in the Rice Hotel. They were supposed to be bullet holes made by a Texan impatient for an elevator. Opined Promoter Rickard: "They were made by some fellow with his cane."

World's Champion Fisticuffer James Joseph ("Gene") Tunney, training in New York for a title bout with Thomas Heeney of New Zealand at Promoter Rickard's Madison Square Garden in July, was reported vexed at Mr. Rickard's Houston visit. Tunney was said to have said: "Why doesn't he stay here and mind his own business? I need him worse than the Democrats."