Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-01-02
Wash Hudson Looms Up in
the Race for Head Of
Legislature,
WILLIAMS MAY BE
BACK OF M'CRORY
Frank Wooden Is Backing
Local Man; Harrison
Lacks Speed.
BY GLENN CONDOR.

Staff Correspondence.
NKLAHOMA CITY. Jan. Much
~ excitement prevails here tonight
over the sensational fight for tho
speakership of the house of repre-
sentatiVes, with Wash Hudson of
Tulsa and Tom Hunter OF Hugo as
the leading candidates, and A. Nc
Crory of Ringing looking up as
mighty foreboding dark horse.
A conference of all the candidates
started at late hour. but no definite
news came from the meeting. Mayor
Wooden of Tulsa, who is one of a
large coterie of prominent Oklaho-
mans who are actively boosting Hud'
sons candidacy, had decided to return
home this evening, but when things
began to happen in lightning-llke
rapidity. he changed his mind and
will remain In the city another "a
hours
Wooden for Hudson.
III believe Wash Hudson will be tho
next speaker OF the house" said the
mayor tonight. "and l think II IL my
duty to the citizenship OF Tulsa to
remain here and do what | can to
put the Tulsa man across"
An evening paper carried a story
that Governor Williams had endorsed
McCrory, but williams, when seen by
reporters, practically denied that such
the case, and many OF his close friends
declare positively that he will take no
hand In the fight.
In spite of the fact that 1t was a
holiday, Friday saw "a big influx OF
legislators, fully GO of them having
arrived during the day, many of them
with their families.
Hunter Reticcnt.
The speakership fight was. OF
course, the one topic of conversation.
Wash Hudson. the Tulsa candidate,
who since Thursday has been univers-
ally considered one of the leading
candidates, opened headquarters at
the Skirvin two days ago.
Tom Hunter, who IL Bill Durant's
candidate for the chair, got In today.
Mr.. Hunter. when seen at his room In
the Lee Huckins, had little to say
about his recent arrest on a federal
grand jury indictment charging him
with introducing liquor into the In
dian country. He denied the widely
circulated report that he would have
to appear In court and answer to the
charge next Monday.
81 will remain In Oklahoma City
until the legislature is over" said Mr..
Hunter. There Is no truth to tho re-
port that / will have to be In court
next week The matter will not come
up for some time yet, and | am not
allowing it to interfere with my candi-
dacy."
As soon as Hunter reached the city
he was sought, 1t is said, by friends
Of both Ben Harrison and G. c. Chill
ders Harrison has apparently been
lost i'm the shuttle, as thus far he has
failed to develop any real strength.
As a matter of fact the only candidate
who has really shown on the surface
what ne possesses In the way or
pledged votes is Hudson. The Tulsa
candidate had II votes by actual
count Friday afternoon.
Secret caucuses were the rule all
New Years day. There were at least
a dozen OF them In progress at one
time during the afternoon and all
sorts Of reports were afloat.
George d. Key. defeated candidatc
for attorney general. r. Warren, state
factory inspector, who becomes assist
ant county attorney of Tulsa county
after January /, State Senator X. l..
Davidson and a number of prominent
oil men were active In Hudson's be-
half.
Williams for McCrOry?
A. McCrory of Ringing was said
to have the support OF Governor elect
Williams This has been known for
some time, but II was felt that VII
liams would pursue "a policy of hands
OFF, I'm the race. In spite OF the fact
that every speaker since statehood has
practically been elected by the gov
ernor In office at each session. But
since Williams came out openly In
opposition to Ben Harrison 1t has been
evident that he could do nothing but
line up with one OF the other candi-
dates. For him to lay down now
would mean the election Of Harrison,
as II would be the secretary of state
against the field.
McCrory has played for williams
support all along. and then there is
the fact that he has been In the leg
islature before III Williams comes
out openly for the Ringing newspaper
man 1t will almost close the deal
right there. But that remains to be
seen.
Thers seems to be a pretty we'll de-
fined opinion that w. A. Durant will
not have the power In this house
that he has held In former legisla-
lures which fact does not augur well
for the success Of Hunter. who Is Du
rants ayowed candidate.
There are about fifteen hold'over
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