Los Angeles herald., 1910-04-09
DEMOCRATS WARY
OF MACHINE MEN
Uncertain as to Attitude of San
Francisco Delegation Is
Cause of Suspicion
HOPE FOR SMOOTH MEETING
Endorsement of Bell and Change
of State Headquarters
Are Issues
fonntInned from Pnre onel

CONTINUED from Page OneD
gives the conference a legitimate func-
ton we'll within the rights Of the
party and without violating the spirit
Of the primary law, 1t was insistently
reported by the machine members, who
desired to prevent the conference be-
cause 1t is claimed they feared Theo-
dore Bell would be nominated, that
the conference would be packed" for
Bell bv the Los Angeles delegation.
To prove to doubters that he was not
"in'' on any slate method, or machine
pre-arrangement, Mr.. BELL politely in
formed the Los Angeles delegates he
would not ask, nor accept, an 1ndorSe-
ment from them.
This again, it Is said, for the time,
blocked the game of the northern
regulars" but in their opposition TO
the reform element of the party, of
which Mr.. Bell is the leader, they cir
culated further reports that this de-
nial YVES issued to deceive the dele
gates at large, and that at the last
moment Mr.. Bell would accept the In
dorsement. The rumors were traced TO
their source, and properly labeled, aft
er which the Democrats went smoothly
on their way, and Chairman Albert
Norton of the Los Angeles central
committee received hundreds of letters
informing him that nearly all of the
northern counties would send full dele
cations to the conference.
Last night Mr.. Norton stated 1t
could be positively assured the pend
ing conference will be the greatest,
most successful and best attended of
any Democratic assemblage in recent
history.
The day before the caucus in San
Francisco wednesday, the Demo-
Gratis there issued a call for the meet
ing, and on their summons said:
'rYour presence is requested, as bus
mess of great importance will be tran
sacted. The local Democratic leaders
have been preparing either to send
delegation or to repudiate the confer
ence by refusing to send delegates to
it. Which course will be followed. Is
for the county committee to deter
NINE"
II was reported that the San Fran
cisco delegation was in favor of run
ming James V. Coleman against Bell,
but later decided not to indorse any
one. which means that so far as now
can be known they will not indorse
even Mr.. Bell.
Chairman Norton recently stated
that If Mr. Bell would not accept the
Endorsement, the Los Angeles delega-
tion would give its support to Sena-
tor George w. Cartwright, but the
latter, it is said, refused to run.
CRITICIsEs BELL
One of the leading San Francisco
newspapers says:
"Bell says that he will go to Los
Angeles to oppose the Endorsement of
any candidate, but that If the con-
ference insists upon indorsing Bell 1t
would be idle for Bell to refuse that in
dorsement. All of which seems rea-
sonable from any practical political
view point.
IF the Los Angeles conference of
Democrats chooses to indorse Theo-
dore A. Bell for governor 1t will in
dorse with or without the consent of
Bell. All Bell could expect to gain by
flouting such an Endorsement would be
a flock of new enemies and a primary
"If l said that 1 would not accept
the Endorsement of the Los Angeles
conference" said Bell. ''I spoke with
out regard to the nature of that con-
ference. 1t is not nominating con-
yention. I am not in a position to say
that / will accept or refuse anything
from it.
IF it were a nominating convention
and it's members should see fit to nomi-
nate me l could accept or decline to
accept it's nomination. This is diff
ferent matter. l am a candidate, for
mally announced. l am in the race, re-
gardless of the action of the Los An
geles conference. 1 shall go to the con-
ference to oppose the Endorsement of
any candidate.
II have no doubt that Norton said
the conference would indorse another
If I did not accept its Endorsement;
nevertheless I shall ask the confer
ence not to indorse any candidate"
THE PROGRAM
The progrom for the conference fol-
lows:
Opening address of conference, John
f. Raker, chairman state central COM
mittee.
Address of welcome to visiting Dem
ocrats, Cyrus f. McNutt, president
Democratic league.
Insurgency" Thomas Lee Wool
wine of Los Angeles.
"Why Democrats Should Vote for
Constitutional Amendment Number
tor 18th senatorial district Discus
sion led by Richmond Plant of Los
Angeles.
'The High Cost of Living" L. A.
Handley of Los Angeles
'Why the Next Board of Railroad
Commissioners Should Be Democratic,
Hon. A. Caminetti, state senator 10th
senatorial district.
Discussion led by Hon. A. e. Camp
bell, 31st senatorial district.
Labor and Democracy" Walter
Macarthur, San Francisco.
Legislation Enacted by a Demo-
cratic Legislature" Frank Gould og
San Francisco formerly speaker of the
state assembly.
"The Newspaper and Its Relation to
Politics." w. l.. Porterfield, president
and editor-in-chief of the California
Scripps papers,