"Traveling Cabinet"

Midlanders wondered about the people Nominee Smith had around him as he passed through the land on the private car "St. Nicholas" (called "Santa Claus" by the newsmen). Most of the people who accompany Hoover have national reputations. Most of the Smith "traveling cabinet" needed introduction.

Judge Joseph M. Proskauer of the New York Supreme Courtis a tall, scholarly-looking, soft-spoken Jew, originally from Mobile. He plays golf, goes to the opera, wears a cropped mustache. The criticism against his indulging in politics during a judicial career is four years old. He has assisted every Smith campaign since he received his Smith appointment. Astute, suave, he strives especially to dignify and represent the "New Tammany."

Bernard L. Shientag is another Smith-appointed judge, of the New York City Court. Less conspicuous than the Hon.

Proskauer, he functions in much the same way.

James J. Hoey was another outstanding figure on the "Santa Claus." He rose to his present position of vice chairman of the national executive committee via the New York Legislature, where he and the Nominee worked together as young men. Big-framed, self-confident, breezy, generous. 50 years old but much younger in looks, he reflects his Western upbringing more clearly than his New York nativity. His Tammany connection has not overshadowed his reputation as a humanitarian, a framer of public school legislation, a philanthropist whose chief work is the Boys Club Federation, of which he is the national president. He educated himself at night school, after he was 20. His insurance agency is said to be the largest in the U. S. "I'm in politics just to help my friends," he says. He is credited with knowing more about national politics than any one else in the Brown Derby's home office.

Contractor William F. Kenny, owner of the "Santa Claus," burly, bluff, unpolitical, is the prime exemplar of what is meant by friendship with the Smith circle. He would give "his shirt" (estimated to be worth 40 millions) but no advice to the man whom he has known since they played together in the late Kenny Sr.'s firehouse.

Representing the Nominee's family, besides plumply placid Mrs. Smith, is the Nominee's eldest daughter, trim, slim Mrs. Emily Smith Warner. At El Reno, Okla., last week, she substituted for him when Governor Johnston and a welcoming party boarded the Smith Special at 8 a. m. "My father was up very late preparing for his speech tonight," she said. "I know you will excuse him. We thought it best not to wake him early."

Another spokesman is Mrs. Caroline O'Day, a vigorous, socially smart lady from Rye, N. Y., who has long been active in the New York Democracy and now is acting state chairman. Leaving Oklahoma City, she stepped to the observation car railing and explained: "Mrs. Smith is so modest that she doesn't like to make speeches. ... She hopes to see you all again when, we all hope, she will be the First Lady of the Land."

Another "traveling cabinet" member, Charles W. Berry, is Comptroller of New York City. An M. D., he functions as the Nominee's physician. Passing through Kansas, he denied a rumor that the Nominee's nerves were frayed.

The most widely known figures in the "cabinet" are stalwart, striking J. Bruce Kremer, National Committeeman from Montana, and grey, square-jawed Gilbert Monell Hitchcock, onetime (1911-23) Senator from Nebraska, publisher of the Omaha World-Herald.