The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-06
He HESI1ATES.
Gov. Hodges Declines 70 Com
NIT Himself on Scnatorship.
Situation Is Most Complex and
Wont Clear TIN He Speaks.


Governor Hodges il In no hurry to
take advantage OF the suggestion Of
Senator Bale p. Wagner OF Atchi-
SON that the Kansas executive get in
the United States senatorial race at
once and. win the nomination in
probable clear field. It Is generally
believed that Governor Hodges pre-
fers another term in the governors
office rather than a chance to go to
he has recently been urged by q
number OF prominent Democrats to
declare for the senate.
In a statement made this week,
Senator Waggener offers to stay out
of the senatorial race II Hodges wants
to get in. But the governor doesn't
seem anxious to hasten his announce
ment. So the Democratic senatorial
situation in Kansas is resting on
Hodges, shoulders and until he makes
will remain as badly muddled as ever.
VIII Martin Change His Mind?
On the heels of the Waggener state
ment, is the rumOr that perhaps Hen
derson s. Martin. chairman of the
utilities commission and former chair
tee, may change his mind about rum
ming for the senate. Out in the open.
though, Martin is apparently just as
emphatic about keeping out Of the
senate game as he was month ago
when he gave out an interview declar-
ing that he would not run Yet it is
claimed that Martin may change his
mind before final announcement is
too late.
should Martin run. then it is quite
certain that Governor Hodges will not
be a candidate. Martin and Hodges
have worked hand in hand in the politi-
cal game in Kansas and Hodges, with
out openly admitting as much, would
hardly oppose Martin for the senate,
especially when he can apparently have
opposition.
Brown Might Switch.
Injecting Governor Hodges into the
senatorial fight would also add another
Democratic complication that must be
ironed out before there will be an an
nouncement from Hodges as to his
plans for the future. Just now w. L.
("Ironjaw'D Brown is an avowed sena
torial candidate. 1t was Brown who
carried the administration burden in
the house during the recent legislative
session and left the speakers chair to
speak for every administration bill on
the calendar. So it would hardly stand
to reason that Hodges would oppose
either Brown, who was at the steering
wheel for the administrators legisla-
tive forces, or Martin. who was on the
firing line for Hodges in the last cam
paign. sssEV
And that brings back. the old con-
tentfon that if Hodges runs for sena-
tor, Brown will be switched to the
governOrship. In newspaper interviews
Brown has refused to be switched. But
Of course there has as yet been no sea-
mixup p and perasps .th1 Kshsman man
might change his mind Yet these are
two obstacles that stand In the road
and which must be surmounted be-
fore Governor Hodges climbs into the
race In discussing the matter, how
ever, Governor Hodges merely declares
that official business Is very pressing
and that it is too early to talk politics.
Wilson Forces for Hodges.
The Kansas Wilson forces. though.
are believed to be quite strongly for
Hodges. In the last campaign, Hodges
carried without a whimper or a whine
the opposition of the Clark crowd in
Kansas, although at the same time he
was dragging the Stubs Democrats
and the Billiard Democrats as an adj
ded handicap. He would probably have
all of this opposition in his race for
governor next year. But in q fight for
the senate, Hodges would have the ma
tiona1 endorsement and that would be
considerable of an asset.
| 1t is known that a number Of men
prominent in national politics have
urged Hodges to declare for the SEN
| ate and to content himself with one
term as governor. Hodges has also
been urged to run by many prominent
| Kansas Democrats. Only last week
Judge Haymaker, of Wichita, came to
Topeka and it is said that the Wichita
Democrat stayed in the capital city
over Sunday and in an interview urged
the governor to run for senator.
But Hodges is saying nothing. Per
haps he will wait until the statutes
have run against the Waggener invi-
tation- Perhaps Martin may yet
change his mind and get over in the
senatorial race. Perhaps Brown may
mean all that he has said about stand
ing pat on the senatorship and re-
fuse to get out Hodges way. And per
haps. say along about the time Of the
Democratic banquet. Governor Hodges
may call in his private steno9raphe
and dictate an interview declaring thai
he is or is not q candidate for the sen.
: ate Yet so far as anything the gov.
ernor has to say at this time, his PLAN
Tor the future are vague and uncertain
In dictated statement today, Gov
ernor Hodges said:
Too Early to TAlk-Hodges.
Il stated in the campaign that ever.
eHort at my command would be di
| rected towards giving the state a bust
ness administration. reorganizing on
various state institutions. getting ri
Of dead wood, superf1uous employees
and maintaining departments tina
would give the state a purely bushes
administration. With our boards, "
are using our very best endeavors {
that end We are using all of our tim
in getting IN personal touch with tn
business affairs Of Manassas Is eacl
: and every member Of the variou
boards appointed by this administra
ton These men and women are usfn
the same personal efforts that mad
, | their individual business q success
, The people Of Kansas do not want I
. retain any man or men In Office. mn