Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-04
HARMON HOLDSLEAD
Champ Clark Second Choice
of Maryland Democrats.
TAFT CHOICE OF LEADERS
Now Regarded Certain He Will Get
@@ Instructed Delegates.
TEMPERANCE FIGHT IS ON
Bill Pending in Legislature Destined
to Meet Stubborn Opposition.
Convention Plans.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Star
BALTIMORE, Nd, February 3, 1912.
The Harmon sentiment continues to
grow here, owing to the fact that the
large financial and business interests
seem to favor the Ohio governor The
big political leaders have not and will
not come out into the open until the con-
vention is under way, but they are new
ertheless for Harmon almost to q man.
The democratic machine Is in sore
straits financially, and realizes that in
order to get the sinews Of war in the
coming national contest a man acceptable
to the business interests must be backed
Hence the favorable attitude toward the
Buckeye executive. There is no DOUBT
that the second choice of the Maryland
democracy is Speaker Clark. and it is
not at all unlikely the delegation will go
into the convention unpledged, but with
a strong hint to favor Harmon first and
then Clark in the vent that the nominal
ton of the Ohioan becomes impossible.
Republicans for Taft.
On the republican side there is hot a
scintilla of doubt about Taft-pledged
delegation going to Chicago. The big lead
ers-Gov. Goldsborough, State Chairman
Hanna. City Chairman Hanson and Col
lector of the Port Stone-have all openly
declared themselves in favor of the re.
nomination of Taft, and the general feel
ing among the rank and file of the po-
litical workers is that the President
should be renominated. There is not a
single republican of influence here who is
favorable to Roosevelt, Willie Cumnlins
and La Toilette are practically unknown
as candidates for the presidency.
The legislature is occupying great
deal of the attention of the politicians,
and there are signs that there is trouble
brewing over the local option bill ie
agetn of the Anti-Saloon League has had
lively epistolary combat with the chair
man OF the temperance committee OF the
house. and the agent has been named by
the speaker to cease his activities on the
floor of the house. The Independent Cit
liens Union is preparing to make a big
fight against the bill, and there are other
interests that will vigorously oppose the
measure as drawn by the Anti-Saloon
League The bill, IT is claimed, is un.
fair on its face, inasmuch as the I'VE.
counties are to vote on the local option
issue, while the dry counties are not &c
be given a like privilege.
Arguments of Opposition.
Opponents of the bill will bring this
fact forth In their arguments against the
measure, ana set forth that under the
provisions of the bill a county that votes
to become dry may never again, un.
less the law shall be amended, vote upon
the issue Of local option. The temperance
forces. too. are split. the prohibitionist.
pulling against the Anti-Saloon League
The tactics pursued by the advocates ant
lobbyists for the bill have aroused the en-
nifty Of the regular organization demo
Gratis. and 1t Is not at all likely that tn,
bill Will be passed by either house.
The various committees which will have
! charge of the arrangements for the
democratic national convention are rapid
| ly organizing and getting under way with
| their respective work. National Chair
| man Norman f. Mack will arrive here
| Monday and attend meeting of the
| convention executive committee. The
| most important matter to come up q,
| this meeting will be the approving OF
| the plans for the changes necessary to BIZ
made at the Fifth Regiment Armory t.
i accommodate the delegates to the con
/ vention. AS soon as the national chair
man and sergeant-at-arms shall approve
I, the plans the work of remodeling thu
| galleries arSd making additional exit.
| will be begun. meeting of the rep
resentatives of the telegraph and tele
phone companies will also be held OF