Los Angeles herald., 1910-06-20
c. 0. P. DISRUPTION
PEARSCOMPLETE
Machine Men Falling in Line With
LincoIn-RooSeveIt League
Wing
S. P. KEEPING OWN COUNSEL
Republican Leader Says Some
GubernatoriaI Candidates
Have Been SidetraCked
!. P. KEEPING OWN COUNSEL
by II. SHELLEY SUTTON

BY T. SHELLEY SUTTON
That the Republican party in Cali
fornia is absolutely without an or
ganization, except for that dominant
reform branch known as the Lincoln
Roosevelt wing. and that the machine
members are rapidly falling into line
with the league movement, seems to
be the consensus of opinion among
many old-time regulars of Los An
geles, who unhesitatingly state that
the direct primary law has disrupted
the old guard and placed the reins
of the party in the hands OF the Lin
oln-RooseVelt leaders.
With the exception of Boss Herrin,
Boss Parker and few municipal
henchmen like Champ Vance Of Los
Angeles, the regulars are now con-
ceded to be without a guiding head;
but while this Is true, 1t must be re-
membered that these bosses are ex-
erting a tremendous influence, seldom
before brought to bear in a state
campaign, to regain control of the Sit
uation in California.
The principal reason for the disor-
ganization of the machine is believed
by many former adherents Of the old
1uggernaut to be due mainly to the
litical executives refuse to entrust
their present secrets and Vaccinations
to too many subordinates, for back or
the chaotic conditions now seeming to
prevail In the G.. o. p. of California
is believed to lie a clever scheme which
will evolve order from discord If the
money and method Of VIII Herrin can
achieve 1t.
"It is not to be presumed" said a
J. ointment Republican yesterday, that
we are asleep or disorganized. The
fact that the regulars have no polit-
ical headquarters in Los Angeles is
not significant of our inactivity, and
the presence of so many of our cam
didates in the various contests for
nomination does not indicate disagree
ment or dissension. 1t Is the spirit of
the direct primary law that as many
men as desire shall become candidates
for office and the voters shall nomi-
nate their choice by majority vote. But
in this campaign 1 am confident a
number of men were actually induced
to enter the fight for the guberna-
torial nomination because some of our
leaders wanted to get rid of them un-
til after the primaries.
WILL GET BACKING
"The report that Edwin A. Meserve
will get the backing of the northern
regulars seems plausible to me, for
several weeks ago I heard that he
was in line for the Republican nomina-
tion in the event that Senator Flint
decided definitely to retire.
"It seems to me there has been a
great deal of unnecessary mystery in
connection with Senator Flint's plans
and purposes. I don't know what is
back Of it, but in view of the fact that
Senator Flint made no positive an
nouncement until recently, while for
mer President Roosevelt was in Eu-
rope, and observing that Meserve re-
mained peculiarly silent until after
Senator I.int's refusal to seek re-elec-
tion, it seems credible that the report
of the pending dismissal of Secretary
Ballinger and the appointment of Flint
to succeed him is we'll founded, and
that, indeed, we will be asked to join
forces in support of Ed. Meserve as a
part of the national program.
1.-THE rumor that Senator Flint would
succeed Secretary Ballinger has been
heard frequently in Los angeles, where
believe we know as much If not
moro. of the plan than they do in
Washington, outside of the cabinet cir
Gle.
Senator Flint is a national charac-
w
ton and one of President Ta4. strong
est supporters. At the same time he
is a close personal friend of Colonel
Roosevelt, and as such, I understand,
has frequently been called into consul
tation with the president, especially in
regard to conservation policies, con-
cerning which Senator Flint is unusu-
ally well informed.
TAFT WATCHING
"Those who have followed the con-
servation controversy closely know
that since the dismissal of Clifford
Pinchot the president has had his eyes
opened to many aspects of the case
with which he did not seem previously
familiar. In Los Angeles, we believe.
from letters that have been received
from Washington, that Mr.. Roosevelt
was in touch with the president while
in Europe and that the Ballinger- Pin
chot affair was subject of their COM
munications. The attack made by the
outlook of New York. of which Mr..
Roosevelt is an associate editor, also
appeared significant.
But the present program may mis-
carry. Some of the leading Republi-
cans of Los Angeles are asking them
selves what reason Edwin Meserve has
to solicit our support in his candidacy
for the United states senate. we could
all unite on Flint, but 1t viii be i'm
possible for us to unite on Flint's
choice. Many of us believe Meserve
was selected by Flint, himself, to take
T'lint's place in the senate; but If this
is so Flint has overlooked the fact
that there are other good men in Cal
ifornia, number of whom we consider
more deserving than Meserve, to be in
dorsed for F1int's position.
"Meserve is a good man; 1 am not
discussing that; but whether or not
he is in line for the United States SEN
atorship is another question. We will
be profoundly pleased. it is true, that
Ballinger is to be ousted and Senator
Flint appointed as his successor. On
that we can agree; but how about the
good men who are In the race for
governor, and three or all of whom
will be defeated? I refer to Nathan
Ellery, Charles Curry Alden Ander-
son and Phil A. Stanton. If Hiram
Johnson gets the nomination, what will
become of the loyal party leaders who
have waged such a strenuous battle,
under the most difficult conditions?
STAY ANNOUNCEMENT
"I, like many others, believe that
our candidates for the United States
senate should not announce themselves
until after the election. Then, 1 be-