The San Francisco call., 1910-08-07
CURRY TO BE
VICTOR, SAY
POLITICIANS
johnson Expected to Be Close
Second in Race for Repub-
Iican Nomination
Anderson HOpeIessIy Tangled in
Bad Wreck of Herrin's
Machine
By GEORGE A. VAN SMITH


The last week Of California's first
state wide direct primary campaign
opens upon a situation that differs only
in degree from that generally recognized
by the public and politicians three
months ago There is radical division
of public opinion as to the probable
winner of the republican nomination
for governor. There is virtual una
nimity as to the contenders for that
nomination.
The general public has been con-
WINGED for months that the fight was
between Secretary of State Charles r.
Curry and Hiram w. Johnson. For a
long time that popular opinion has
been shared by the great majority OF
the practical politicians. The develop
ments Of the last two weeks have
served not alone to confirm that
opinion in the minds of the public
generally, but also TO remove the
doubts of those politicians who clung
10 the hope that the Herrin machine'
could exert some mysterious eleventh
hour power that would force the nomi-
nation of Alden Anderson.
In the public mind Alden Anderson.
put into the race for governor by the
Herrin machine. is esteemed not a con-
tender for the nomination, but, like
Phil stanton, as factor that may
influence the determination Of the con-
test between Curry and Johnson. The
general public did not arrive at that
conclusion any earlier than did thes
practical politicians. Unlike the pub
lie. the politicians looked for the de-
Velopment Of a positive and tangible
strength behind Anderson that would
make him an apparent contender. That
strength has not been developed. An
derson remains as he started, mega
tive candidate, and with his friends
who have estimated the situation in
cold blood, thoroughly discourage
BUREAU SMASHED
Anderson's managers are hopelessly
st sea. Some Of the men close 20 his
campaign and genuinely interested in
his success as affecting their own po-
liticai fortunes confess their inability
TO understand their complete failure.
They have ample explanations for va
Tious phases OF their campaign. but they
are unwilling or unable to furnish a
reason for Anderson's ina bility to make
even q vigorous start. The develop
ments OF last week including the ma
chimes failure to drive the working
railroadmen into an Endorsement of An
oerson completed the woes of the An
oerson men. Their failure TO secure
the Endorsement OF the railroadmen's
Joint legislative board did not mean so
much to them as an indication of rail-
roadmen's votes actually lost to them
as q demonstration OF the railroad po-
ntical bureaus impotency.
That Endorsement had been promised
as an exhibition Of the machines power
II was expected to result in starting
and loading the band wagon with the
thousands Of republicans who had come
70 consider the organization a figure of
speech. 1t was expected to convince
the voting public that Curry's sup
porters could be whipped into line by
the shrek Of the machine whistle. A
months campaign directed at the in
dividual members Of the joint legisla-
tive board and the eXertion Of the most
extraordinary personal pressure rang
ing from threats to promises failed to
line Up the railroadmen. They rejected
Anderson. They indorsed Curry
The worst fears Of the organization
men who had admitted Anderson's de-
feat six weeks ago, were confirmed
They had long been convinced that the
people were not with Anderson. The
railroad employees Endorsement hasco
convinced them that the machines
promises of a whirlwind finish were
idle. Some Of the machine men, who a
month ago admitted that Anderson
could not be expected to run better
than third, were of the opinion yes
terday that he would be fortunate if
he did finish third
NO SOFT PEDAL
The most marked change of opin-
ion developed last week was that
touching the relative strength of Curry
and Johnson. Naturally the men
charged with doing the talking for the
Johnson and Curry campaign did not
put the soft pedal on their assertions
Of assured victory for the respective
leaders. Some Of the men behind the
scenes in the Johnson fight developed
nerves that were exhibited by criticism
Of Johnson's personal campaign and
the efforts of the men directing his