Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-22

delegations will be at the democratic
national convention with the Underwood
boom well to the fore.
The past week has witnessed notable
expansion OF the efforts. Of the Wilson
boomers. The headquarters at 42 Broad
way. New York, has been enlarged, the
office staff increased and the literary OUT
put almost doubled. The dope" as the
newspaper men irreverently but not in
vidiously denominate all such emanations,
now comes out IN printed sheets
Mr.. McCOmbS is opening headquarters
here in anticipation Of the approaching
meeting of the democratic national COM
mittee, January 8. His idea is to have
place where the friends Of Gov. VIII
son can assemble and exchange views.
Mr. McCombs insists that If the conven-
ton were held now. Gov. Wilson would
be chosen. He claims that Gov. Wilson
has more than a majority of the conven-
ton in sight, although not the necessary
twO-thirds.
. Other friends of Gov. Wilson realize
that his nomination is by no means GER
tain. They understand the danger spot
in his prospects, which is that while he
file of the democrats, he does not possess
assurances from the great democratic
leaders throughout the country of their
willingness to nominate him.
Democrats Are Calculating.
The point is this, that when the demo-
cratic convention meets there will be a
number of conferences among the lead
ers from the different states with the
object of deciding upon the man who Is
likely to make the most successful CAM
paign.
There never has been time when the
democratic leaders were more cold
blooded and calculating than at present.
There is no hero worship in this cam
paign, and it Is believed there will be no
stampede in the convention.
There will be a showdown of actual po-
ltical assets in the conferences to be
held, and the man who can demonstrate
litical assets will, it is said, be given
the nomination. 1t is this cynical and
business.ike mood actuating the real lead
ers of the democratic party which is
concern. Naturally, they insist that Gov.
Wilson can make the desired showing.
but they know it will have to be DEM
onStrated.
Champ Clarks boom has reached the
Notwithstanding stage, but has not at
tanned the practical dimension of possess
ing headquarters or active managers.
Speaker Clark is still playing the role
of receptive candidate. His friends say
that his position as Speaker of the House
necessarily hampers his political activi-
ties They expect his star to begin its
ascendancy at the national convention,
however.
Harmon's Handicap.
The Harmon boomers are still strug-
Cling with the handicap of ultra conserv-
atism charged against the Ohio governor
and the open and active hostility of Will
liam J. Bryan. This allegation of Har-
mons alleged Overconservatism is an IN
definite thing, never brought down to
specific charges, but which hangs in the
political air as cloud overshadoWlng
him everywhere.
The dark horses are still under blanket;
Dix of New York. Foss of Massachusetts
and Carter Harrison of Illinois. Gov.
Marshall of Indiana is not classed as a
dark horse, but the avowed candidate of
the Indiana delegation. Yet, as recently
pointed out in these columns, the rumor
has gone forth that Indiana will not die
in the last ditch for Gov. Marshall. and
for that reason democratic politicians are
not at this time placing the governor
of the Hoosier state in the class of prime
favorites.