The Washington times., 1912-06-19
HARMON LEADER
JUB|LANT AFTER
SEEING MURPHY
Lieut.. Gov. Nichols Says
New York's Vote Will
Go to Ohioan.
UNDERWOOD MEN
MAKE SAME CLAIM
Tammany Chief Plans to Peel
Out" the Conven-
ton.
BY THEODORE TILLER.


BALTIMORE, June 1s-Fresh from a
conference with Charles F. Murphy, the
Tammany chief and custodian Of New
York's rinety votes. Lieut.. Gov. Hugh
Harmon campaign, reported in Balti-
more today and issued a statement, in
which he predicts the nomination Of
Taft and Harmon.
Tho aHrmon manager was reticent
concerning his talk with the all-power-
full Murphy, but his advent upon the
scene focused attention here upon the
conflicting claims of the Underwood and
Harmon managers.
1t can be stated upon highest author
ity that the Underwood people have been
confident for the past six weeks that on
the third or fourth ballot the ninety
votes from the Empire State would go
to the Alabama candidate. The Har-
mon boosters today wink one eye ard
ask not to be quoted and then make
practically the same claim for the Ohio
Democrat.
Both Underwood and Harmon en-
missaries have talked the matter over
with Murphy. The New York delega-
ton, 1t is learned, thinks highly OF
both Of the so-called conservative can
didates for the Democratic nomination,
and New York probably will support
one or the other of them in preference
to other candidates now in the race
until 1t may be shown that neither Har-
mon nor Underwood can have the nom-
ination.
May Alternate Votes.
There are well-srounded rumors aloat
today that New York will alternate in
its votes for Harmon and Underwood
after 1t shall have cast complimentary
votes for Judge Gaynor, until some-
thing like q definite idea of the re-
spective strength Of the candidates is
obtained by the New York contingent.
In other words Murphy's game is to be
to feel out the convention by switch
ing alternately from Gaynor, Harmon
and Underwood.
Even the most sanguine Woodrow
Wilson boomers do not expect New
York to cast it's vote for their candi.
date so long as the three candidates
above named and Speaker Clark, have a
chance. Murphy Is said to prefer the
Speaker to Wilson, and New York's
ninety ultimately may result in the
nomination Of the Missourian.
No Democratic politician here under
estimates the Importance of New York's s
action. Its votes thrown to Speaker
Clark at any stage in the game would
nomination and either the Harmon or
Underwood boom will be greatly accel-
Grated the moment the Tammany braves
switch.
Frankly speaking. no one here seri-
ously believes that Tammany has hope
OF nominating New York's favorite
son, Mayor Gaynor, who may receive
ninety votes on the first ballot or so.
It is generally recognized that the Gay
nor boomlet Is device behind which
Murphy and his trusty allies may play
politics unseen and may do their mys-
terious trading.
At the psychological moment Charles
Murphy, Thomas Taggart, and Roger
Sullivan, virtually controlling 17S votes
from three of the biggest States in the
Union. will take stock, swing without a
moments warning to some fortunate
man whom they have spotted as win
ner, and sentimental politics-if there
is any sentiment in the e, gameWll give ,s
now not expected to reach Baltimore
until Saturday, but from the moment
Of his arrival 1t Is expected that New
has at the majority of Democratic con-
ventions.
Nichols Optimistic
Lieutenant Governor Nichols, who
has been cultivating the acquaintance
with Boss Murphy for the past day or
so in New York, said today: Harmon
will be nominated and Ohio will be the
battle-ground this fall The two had
test Of strength In 1910, when Taft sent
his Cabinet into the State to stem the
Harmon tide.
"The Presidents efforts were un-
availing and Harmon whipped Hard
1--WE are not particular as to the
cratic convention. Any faIr-minded
man, Theodore Bell. Alton B; Parker
will be acceptable to the Harmon ele-
ment.
paramount issue. If Taft is nominat-
ed it undoubtedly viii be. The tar
IN will rise to haunt him"
Mr.. Nichols asserted he was abso-
!ptely opposed to dark horses" and
the running should get the nomina-
Mr.. Nichols gave assurance that
Governor Harmon will heartily sup
port the nominee. regardless OF his
Identity.
Nichols views concerning a dark
horse" are regarded as significant, as
they indicate Harmon would throw
his strength to one Of the candidates
now in the race-if Harmon abandons
hope-rather than aid an added starter:
The advance guard of Underwood
boomers is expected to open headquar-
ters at the st James Hotel this after
noon. II is learned neither MT. un-
derwood nor Speaker Clark. will come
TO Baltimore during the convention.
They will remain "on the job" in the
House, but within access of long
distance telephone in the event the
convention has any cheering news to
impart.
DsI NJ c. n-L.Ls