The Bismarck Tribune

Nebraska Senator Made Unwilling Candidate at Chicago Convention

SOCIALIST IS DEFEATED National Prohibitionists Decline to Merge with Farmer-Labor Group

Washington, July 12.—(R)—Announcement was made at the office of Senator Norris of Nebraska this morning that he would head no third party movement. The statement was made in connection with his nomination for the presidency at Chicago last night by the Farmer-Labor party.

Atlanta, Ga., July 12-(AP)—His nomination as a candidate for vice president on the Farm Labor ticket at the Chicago convention is "absurd so far as I am concerned." Will J. Vereen, of Moultrie, Ga., said here today.

"Of course under no consideration would I accept or even consider the nomination," Mr. Vereen declared.

Chicago, July 12.—(AP)—United States Senator George W. Norris, of Nebraska, today had become an unwilling candidate for presidency of the United States on the Farmer-Labor ticket.

Despite his reported refusal to head any third party slate, the Nebraska senator was placed in nomination at last night's session of the convention. He was chosen on the third ballot, receiving 16 ballots to 14 for Norman Thomas, the Socialist nominee for president.

For vice president the Farmer-Laborites named Will Vereen of Moultrie, Ga., a cotton mill owner.

Platform Puzzles Drys

While the Farmer-Labor party was going ahead with the selection of standard bearers, the prohibition party, also in session here, centered discussion on platform problems.

With adoption of the platform today, nominations for president and vice president were next in order.

Possibility of a merger of the prohibition party and the Farmer-Labor group ended last night when both vetoed the proposal.

Nomination of Vereen created a controversy in the Farmer-Labor camp when it was charged that he had operated a non-union plant, and had never been a farmer or laboring man.

The platform of the Farmer-Laborites, adopted before nominations were made, did not make a specific declaration on the prohibition question, but declared for "enforcement of all laws."

Norris Unwilling

Norris' nomination was made after a report had been received from a correspondent, who had been directed to ascertain if the senator would accept. The reply read:

"Negative absolute. Reconsideration impossible."

Other planks in the Farmer-Labor platform declared for farm relief with the equalization fee; abolition of injunctions in labor disputes; public ownership of Boulder Dam and Muscle Shoals; scrapping of all armaments, and a policy of non-interference in Latin-American disputes. A deep waterway from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic was also approved.