Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-25
OHIO AND JERSEY CLASH
Close Race Believed to Forecast De-
feat of Both.
CHAMP CLARK Is HOPEFUL
William Jennings Bryan Also
Classed Among the Willing.
Situation Gives Concern.

Will Harmon and Wilson deadlock the
democratic national convention and throw
the presidential nomination to dark
horse?
This question is being suggested to poll
ticians by the present status of the cam
paiSn for the nomination, largely by the
fact that these two aspirants only are
making an active canvass They alone
have literary bureaus and agents in the
field and are conducting vigorous cam
paign to mold public opinion and sway
democratic leaders.
The Wilson literary bureau is particu
larly in evidence. 1t is located at AZ
Broadway. New York city, and is sending
out mass of material. Every mornings
mail brings to newspapers manifolded
copies of extracts from papers through
out the country praising Gov. Wilson and
commenting upon his prospects.
The Harmon bureau is working in Co
lumbus. Ohio. along the same lines, but
even more extensively, for its output is
the country press in boiler plate shape
for easy reproduction.
Wilson's Side Line.
A side line of the Wilson campaign ef-
fort consists Of attempts to popularize
the suggestion that the delegates to the
national convention shall be elected by
direct vote at the primaries. Gov. Will
sons campaign managers are eager to
have this plan adopted, and by the same
token other prospective aspirantS are
!ukewarm toward it.
The Wilson managers, it is said. feel
that Gov. Wilson is strong with the rank
and file of the democrats and weak with
the political managers in the several sec
tions of the country. They fear to have
his chances for the nomination submitted
70 the conferences and powwows of the
bosses and think he has better prospect
with the plain people.
This is regarded as but a demonstration
of the claim that Harmon is the favorite
of the conservatives and Wilson of the
radicals among the democrats, and con-
likely to prevail in council than the other
faction. So the Wilson men aim to have
it settled at the primaries If possible,
and before the leaders get into council.
Old Way Probable.
think. however, that the primary plan
will be adopted by the national commit
tee at it's meeting here next winter and
the weight of opinion appears to incline
at this time to nominating in the old
way.
In that event it IS thought that the VIII
sen and Harmon delegates to the conven-
tion will line up pretty evenly. and un-
doubted1y very stubbornly, opening the
question at once of possible deadlock.
a compromise candidate acceptable to
both factions would then be in order of
acceptance.
Champ Clarks friends are saving very
little at this time, and there is no sign
of campaign by them. Some politicians
think this is sure sign that the Clark
men are playing a waiting game and
grooming their candidate for the afore-
said compromise result.
1t is observed that the Clark men are
not antagonizing either the Harmon or
Wilson booms. nor saying aught in de-
traction of either candidate. They are
rather seeking to make friends in both
camps, and for the present, at least, are
keeping strictly in the middle Of the
road. all of which is regarded aS very
significant
Bryan Has Dreams.
IL may surprise some democrats to
know that William j. Bryan still has the
idea in the back of his mind that the
nomination may Yet come his way, al
though his public utterances do not lend
color to the suggestion. However, in
formation coming from some of his
friends with whom he has talked re-
Gently leads To no other conclusion.
His nope. II is said Is based upon the
deadlock theory. also. 1t is not ex-
planned, however. in what way he expects
10 overcome the opposition of the con-
servatives to be able to commend him
self to them.
Folk. Foss and Dix are still in the
back ground as dark horses and Car.
ter Harrison of Chicago is said to be
entertaining hopes.