Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-29
FACED DOUBLE TASK
Clark Men Had TWofoId Prob.
lem This Morning.
TO HOLD LINES AND TO GAIN
Reassembling Of Conferences and
Caucuses Today.
PLANNING TO REACH A RESULT
Belief Expressed That the Baltimore
Convention Would Finish Its
Labors Tonight.
TO HOLD LINES AND TO GAIN
PLANNING TO REACH A RESULT

BALTIMORE. June 29.-wearied with
their second struggle lasting practically
all night, the leaders and main body OF
delegates were late in making their re-
appearance at the main centers Of activ-
ity this morning, and 1t was we'll toward
noon before the work Of consultation,
conference and caucus was In full swing.
The early birds, which included Chairman
James, were again sanguine that q de-
cisive ballot would be reached today, and
that the convention would end Its labors
tonight. Already the exodus from Balti-
more had begun, and piacards at every
hand announced special trains carrying
away large parties which had come to
see candidate chosen.
1t was the general feeling that II Clark
was to win he had to win quickly. It
was believed that continued deadlock
was the one thing which might eat away
the commanding lead he had already es-
tablished.
Twofold Problem.
The problem before the Clark forces
was twofold: First, to hold their present
strength intact against defections, and,
second. to add 1854 votes to his $40
shown in the twelfth ballot to give him
the necessary two-thirds majority. The
first problem was not a menacing one,
but it had it's difficulties. The ninety
New York votes with Clark from the
tenth to the twelfth ballot were not re-
garded as a dependable quantity IL the
struggle was prolonged, as the New York
ers were still feeling their way, ready to
stand by Clark il his forces could show
an ability to concentrate the field, but
not to remain with him indefinitely in
prolonged contest. Outside the New York
acquisition. the main body Of Clark men
were holding together we'll, although it
was said some OF them who. formerly
have had strong Bryan Affiliations might
develop tendency to try Wilson, IL the
contest was prolonged.
These considerations led the Clark men
to bend all their energies to finishing
the contest quickly.
Underwood's Strategic Position.
The Underwood forces were looked
upon as playing an important part in the
present critical stage Of the balloting.
They were standing solidly, with no evil
dence of wavering during tho early
hours. But their 123 votes on the twelfth
ballot made them in a sense the key to
the Clark situetion, for with them the
Clark total would be augmented we'll
along toward. the necessary two-thirds.
But at the Underwood headquarters there
was not the slightest indication OF direct
ing the vote as balance Of power among
the other candidates. The sole idea was
to keep the Underwood force together in
the belief that it would gather strength
from all quarters In case a break came
from the candidates now in the lead.
Reports were current early today that
If Underwood would step aside for Clark
the majority leader Of the House would
be named for the speakership. Clark
supporters would not say whether these
reports had any basis, but admitted that
the Underwood people now held the key
to the situation.
Plan to Swing Vote to Clark.
Information was forthcoming this morn
irg that one Of the leaders OF the move
ment for Mr.. Underwood in one Of the
southern delegations would urge that the
time had come to turn Mr.. Underwood's
vote over to Mr.. Clark on the ground that
the floor leaders chances were only slight
at the best In the face Of Mr.. Bryan's
onposition and that the logical nominee
at this hour was Speaker Clark. Whether
the effort to swing the Underwood vote
to Clark would be successful, however,
was a matter Of grave doubt.
There is authority for a statement made
TODAY by a member Of Tammany Hall and
concurred in by leaders OF Speaker
Clark's campaign that the New York vote
will never 60 to Wilson, and that Tam
many Hall would even prefer Bryan to
the New Jersey governor.
Senator Bankhead's Announcement.
Senator Bankhead of Alabama, chair
man of the Underwood campaign COM
mittee, declared with emphasis this morn
ing that the Underwood forces would not
go over into the Clark camp.
Why should we go to Clarke asked
Senator Bankhead Our votes would
not nominate Mr.. Clark, il we joined his
forces. And l can say the same regard
ing Gov. Wilson's movement Our vote