The Washington times., 1916-05-21
HUGHES LEADS RACE,
WITH 7. R. SECOND
Politicians Here View Vote In
Oregon as Step Toward
Nomination Of Justice.
CONTINUED from First paee.)

| There was report today that one OF
the favorlte sons. conceded to have a
hundred or more delegates pledged to
OF Hughes.
Other. favorite sons prefer to cling to
their chances, hence the meeting with
the Roosevelt supporters on the COM
mon ground of defeating Hughes
| Each side thinks there Is a fighting
chance to snatch victory at the last
moment although one OF the favorite
Presidency on ticket with Hughes
and another seriously contemplates
withdrawing with the announcement
that for the sake of the party success
all Republicans should get behind
Hughes.
II has become known that opposition
will be interposed to the plan OF the
favorite sons to make Senator Hard
| Ing permanent as well as temporary
| chairman Of the Chicago convention.
Mr.. Harding was chosen for the latter
office bv the national committee In &C
cordance with custom. Tho convention
| elects the permanent chairman.
In a close fight the ruling OF the
permanent chairman may be Tor one
side or another. and Mr.. Harding is
generally credited with being an OPP
ponent OF Justice Hughes. There Is
another reason why the regulars de-
the chair throughout the convention.
They are looking into the future and
| see the possibilities for dark horse"
IL the favorite sons are compelled to
Mr.. Harding above anybody else. As
| the OCCUPANT OF the chair, Mr.. Harding.
| who Use n forceful man. would be In
position to impress his personality on
the delegates.
Effort to Block aHrding.
There is authority for the statement
that those interested in furthering the
Hughes movement will not countenance
the selection of Senator Harding as per-
manent chairman.
They will present a candidate to whom
no objection can be made on factional
grounds. Among those mentioned are
Senator Lodge OF Massachusetts, and
Senator Borah Of Idaho. Frederick G.
Stevens of St Paul, who served In Con-
gress for twenty years, has been also
suggested as eminently qualified to NIL
the post. Ex-Governor Hadley OF Mis-
souri, may be considered.
In estimating the chances of one OF
| the other Of the favorite sons spokes-
men of this group insist that while
| Hughes has an apparent advantage he
may lose through the lack OF a cohesive
| organization.
large as the Chicago convention a nomi-
nation may be lost II the forces SEEM
ingly in the majority are not properly
| directed.
|
cause insist that his interests will be
properly cared for at Chicago and will
not suffer for lack OF attention. 1t Is
understood here that Frank II. Hitch
cock, Governor whitman. and other Re-
publicans of prominence intend to pitch
camp at Chicago during the convention
to act In an advisory capacity with the
Hughes delegates. RI F.v-~
Mr.. Hitchcock was in Washington
yesterday in conference with leaders
from various States. He will 60 to Chi
cago the latter part Of this week.
Roosevelt supporters in Washington
see only an outside chance for the for
mer President. 1t Is generally accepted
mere that Roosevelt will support the
sives suggest that Roosevelt will be
nominated by the Progressive conven-
ton whatever the action OF the Re-
ublicans. Few leaders here believe that
| Roosevelt will permit the Progressives
TO take ~such a course.
Attitude of the Southerners.
The solid South will be represented
at Chicago by about go delegates.
Most OF them will go uninstructed. A
| Southern leader said that n majority of
the delegates from the South are dis
posed to favor Hughes on the theory
that he looks like a winner. but that
! tney nave Deen ulSSuaue0 from mdhlnB
a choice u rough fear that they may
! make mistake.
| 1t is known that many OF the South
| ern delegates favor Elihu Root and that
| they could be shown that he had a
| fighting chance. That there are Hughes
! delegates in nearly every Southern
| group. Is conceded bv the Fsanagers of
| the favorite sons.
In statement made public here yes
terday Congressman Mckinley of I'LL
| nois, Sherman supporter, said that tho
| conflict between the Hughes and Roose-
nation of Middle Western man. TAX
ing occasion to boost Senator sherman.
Mr.: Mckinley said:
1T seems to me there is a very
quarters of the Hughes movement
and the men actively promoting the
| interests of Colonel Roosevelt which
an available candidate OF the Central
West.
Better than any one else. Senator
Sherman meets the requirements with
on other grounds is right now at
| tracing the most serious attention
of political leaders throughout the
| country.
pork barrel legislation has aroused
the country to his mettle as a states
man and to his militant integrity OF
purpose. The party leaders realize
that q prime essential in the next
campaign is to have at the head OF
the ticket man who can take the
stump day and night and cover every
| section OF the country.
| There Is none better equipped for
| this task than Senator Sherman. I
| mink II proper at this time to men
| tion the above as among the reasons
| which OF late are concentrating sem
| tlment In favor OF the candidate for
President to be presented by Illinois"