The Washington herald., 1916-05-08
WEEKS TO Lead
ON FIRST BALLOT
Massachusetts, Senator S
Friends Stand Firmly by
This Claim for Him.
CUMMINS GAINS STRENGTH
Massachusetts Candidates Victory in
Own State Wins Further Support,
Ayers Manager Weller.

With the convening of the Republican
national convention at Chicago only
four. weeks off, the managers of the Vart-
GUS Presidential candidates located in
this and other cities are beginning to
take stock and make calculations as to
just what their efforts of the past few
months have netted their candidates in
the way OF delegates. There is a mark
ed tendency upon the part of most of
these managers, however, not to reveal
to the public at this time the results of
these calculations, except to say that
they are entirely satisfied with the situa-
ton and are ready for the try-out at
Chicago.
Practically the only definite claim so
far advanced on behalf of any of the
various Presidential possibilities is the
statement by those interested in the can
didacy of Senator John w. Weeks, of
Massachusetts, that he will lead on the
first ballot at Chicago. and that his vote
at the opening of the convention will be
close to 200 This claim has been fire.
quently repeated, and has never been
modified. and more than one political
writer has lately conceded that the Mas
sachusetts man is likely to lead the field
when the balloting is commenced.
There are others, however, who think
that Senator Cummins. of Iowa, who is
now on his way to Oregon to make
personal campaign in anticipation Of the
Statewide primaries on May 10 in which
he and Justice Hughes and Senator Bur-
ton will appear as candidates, may
Weeks. The Iowa candidate has secured
quite a number of instructed delega-
tions in the West. and II he succeeds in
carrying Oregon he and Senator Weeks
will be close competitors for first place
on the opening ballot.
Root Campaign Formally Opened.
Political interest during the week was
directed toward the formal opening of
the Root campaign which, in the words
Of one of the leading Root advocates,
has the sanction of Senator Root him
self, and will be pushed strenuousy until
the meeting of the convention. In some
quarters the movement is looked upon
merely as an effort to organize the con-
servative forces of the Republican party
so that they can be made a deciding in
fluenCe in the convention, but there is
no doubt that Mr.. Root has a large fol-
lowing throughout the country and
among many of the delegates already
chosen, and it is apparent that a very
serious effort will be made to bring
about his nomination.
Headquarters for the Root boom have
been opened in New York, Washington
I
ters of other candidates will shortly be
thrown open to the public May 25 is the
date that has been set for opening the
John W. Weeks headquarters in the con-
vention city. Concerning the Weeks can
didacy the following statement was made
last evening by o. +. Weller. who has
been managing the Senator's campaign:
important political developments OF
the past month have had a very favorable
bearing upon the candidacy OF Senator
Weeks for the Presidency. In the Sen
ator's own State of Massachusetts, he
and the other delegates-at-large won out
after a spectacular struggle. and this fact
has had a decided effect in solidifying
Weeks sentiment throughout the country
Many Friends of Weeks Chosen.
In recent primaries and conventions
held in no less than half a dozen of the
Western States, such as California, Mon
tana and Washington. an impressive num-
ber of personal and political friends OF
Senator Weeks have been elected as dele
gates to Chicago. Some OF these new
Western delegates are under frst-choice
Instructions for other candidates. but
ator Weeks will increase, rather than les
sen. his lead in the balloting, and we con-
fidently believe that final choice will rest
between him and another candidate. 1t
is then that the universal high esteem and
admiration for Senator Weeks which will
exist in the convention will make itself
strong factor, and we believe he will
be nominated"