Evening star., 1915-04-11
Mr.. CURTIS FAV0RS
open CONVENTION
Senator Thinks Kansas Will
Send UninstruCted G. o. P.
Delegation.
PRESIDENTIAL TIMBER
PLENTIFUL FOR 1916
Nominee Expected to Be Favorable
to Business and Industrial
Interests.

10 DuSlueSS anu 1uuuSCIld1
| Interests.
Kansas will probably send an unin-
structed delegation to the republican
presidential convention. said Senator
Curtis of that state, who was in
town YESTERDAY The sentiment is
strong for the open convention idea,
and the way to facilitate its execution
is to leave the delegates unfettered by
instructions.
Our people. convinced that the re-
publicans will sweep the country in
1916. desire the presidential candidate
to be a man in sympathy with the in
dustral. agricultural and financial in
terests of the nation and to be a man of
sound judgment and advocate of wise
and constructive policies.
Another argument for an unin-
structed delegation is the fact that
there is such an abundance of presi-
Dental timber available in the repub-
lican leadership. All the tentative can
didates have friends in Kansas. We
believe that this convention. which
promises 10 be one of the most notable
free from bosses and roller
methods. and, after C; I'm deliberation,
will select the man whom the rank and
file of the delegates, representing the
best thought of their districts, will
consider to be the strongest candidate
before the people.
Kansas has no favorite son for the
nomination. Half a dozen of those
mentioned for the nomination stand
about equally in favor in my state.
IN Eai
banks, Mann, Mckinley of Illinois.
Root and Weeks. Senator Weeks visit
ed Topeka few days ago and made
a fine impression. He was entertained
by the Commercial Club and made a
non-political speech on business topics
which was received with favor
Kansas idea Popular.
1t is believed by republicans Of promi-
,nence here that the plan of Kansas for
an uninstructed delegation will be fol-
lowed in many states which are not
hampered by "favorite son" or tied
up with the primary law. The best
Judgment is that a majority Of the
delegates will go to the convention un-
shackled by definite instructions and
bound only by the general principle of
selecting a man who will appeal to the
confidence of industrial and business
mented upon. that all of the candidates
of likely caliber conform to this pre-
requirement.
In several states the combination of
favorite son and presidential primary
promises to be embarrassing. Ohio is
an acute instance. The delegates will
be chosen by primaries and the voters
will be called upon to decide between
instructing for Herrick, Burton, Gov
Willis and Senator Harding. In ILL
ho hot
Representative Mann. Senator Sherman
and Representative William B. McKin-
ley.
This situation is expected to clarity
nifty for shifting of positions and much
trading" 1t is said that the Fair
banks people are already counting on
benefiting by the divided household in
granted that the sentiment of the state
was divided among the three native
sons. Mckinley. Sherman and Mann.
the Fairbanks folk are already plan
ming to annex Illinois to their boom
The same hope is entertained as to
Ohio. growing out of similar situa-
tion.
Senator Borah May Withdraw.
One of the most interesting topics in
political circles yesterday was that
Senator Borah of Idaho may not be
candidate for the presidential nomina-
tion. 1t is said that he has recently
expressed to some Of his friends a dis
position to make an announcement to
that effect, but has been dissuaded.
The opinion is strong among the repub-
lican progressives that the convention
is hardly likely to go west of the Mis-
sissippi river for a candidate. in view
of the propaganda by the business in
terests. 1t is said by Senator Borah's
friends that unless there is a disposi-
ton to give the west a look In. with a
try.out Of several names. he probably
will not encourage efforts in his be-
half.
One feature Of the impending presi-
of frequent note and discussion Is the
complete absence of any potential in
fiuence, personal or factionai. sought
to be brought to bear upon the selec-
ton Of the candidate-that ts to say,
no group Of managers are liable to
come The movement In behalf of
nominating a man acceptable to busi-
ness and industry Is universal and not
the asset OF any particular candidate
thus far named.
The point is that there is no organ
ization Of money or managers large
enough to attempt to swing the entire
country for one man. There ID even
lacking the old familiar tactics SO
often invoked at this stage Of the pro-
ceedings Of rounding up the southern
delegates.
Position Of South.
Right there, 1t may be added. the
politicians think that the southern
delegates to the next convention will
be found mighty hard to corral In ad-
vance.
The prospect Of an open convention
is said to be highly pleasing to that
element In the party which, In some
previous conventions and preliminary
canvasses, has been the object Of eager
bidding by rival factions. 1t is proph-
esied by the politicians that there will
be q bumper crop Of uninstructed del
egations from the south in the next
convention ..,-,...