Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-24
Half of Delegates Already
Chosen, But No Candidate
Has a Distinct Lead.
HUGHES AND ROOSEVELT
MEN CLAIM ADVANTAGE
Long and Exciting Session Predicted
for Convention, Now But Seven
Weeks Away.

| The outstanding feature of the repub-
lican presidential situation is that with
the national convention but seven weeks
away and with more than half the dele
gates already chosen no candidate can
| be said to show in figures a distinct lead
| for the nomination.
! Up to the present it is mainly alleged
| sentiment most of which is claimed
for Mr.. Justice Hughes although the
Roosevelt enthusiasts insist that the col
onel has the underlying sentiment. Then
| there is sentiment for Weeks in states
whose chosen delegates will be unin-
structed; sentiment for Root. Cummins.
Burton, Fairbanks. Ford, Sherman and
| so on.
Only 23S Thus Far Instructed.
Only e3s delegates thus far have been
| instructed, scattered among the several
candidates. Many of these it is known
are instructed pro forma, "favorite sons
claiming them, and they will switch to
| the strongest candidate. To offset this,
| many who are not instructed are known
to have their favorites. Massachusetts,
will elect her delegates tomorrow, and
while they will be uninstructed they
! will stand for Weeks.
This will be important, as Isl delegates
are to be elected in six states. Massachu-
sets, New Jersey and Ohio to furnish 112
delegates. Ohio will instruct for Burton
and stay with him until a decisive vote is
taken, while New Jersey probably will
send an uninstructed delegation.
Co at hn rr,ny
not show decided advantage for any
candidate that can be demonstrated by
mathematics The leaders have their
opinions, and, as stated. it seems to be
"in the air. that Mr.. Justice Hughes
leads in sentiment. Such shrewd OBJ
server as Senator Penrose declares that
it will not be wise to predict the
nomination of any man until the con-
vention meets and several votes have
been taken.
Ozark Horse" Talk Heard.
Dark horse" talk is being heard
about this time, a favorite theme prior
to all conventions. The names igur-
ing in this line OF conversation include
Senator Harding of Ohio, Henry D.
Estabrook of New York, former SEN
ator Knox of Pennsylvania, T. Coleman
du Pont of Delaware and Gov. Mccall
of Massachusetts.
In this connection much interest is at
| tracted to an advertising campaign be-
| ing prosecuted extensively in the news
| papers by the Business Mems Presi-
| Dental Protection League of New York
| The burden of these advertisements is
demand for the selection of a business
man. Many think that it is a move
| ment which eventually may be dis
| closed as in behalf of Gen. du Pont.
Friends of Weeks. Burton and Knox
| stoutly protest the business qualif1ca-
tons Of their respective heroes, how
ever. and refuse to yield precedence to
| Gen. du Pont.
Long Convention Expected.
| The opinion prevails that the conven-
ton will be long and exciting and thai
many weary hours will be spent in
fruitless balloting before a nomination
Is made. The field is large and 1t will
take time. 1t is said. to shake out the
! dead ones" when there will come the
real test among little group of the
| strongest.
| Tho membership of the convention is
| 9S5: necessary to a choice, 493 The
| convention meets June Z, with the dem
ocratlc convention coming along june