The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1917-01-05
The OWOsso TIMES
ov)lS o, MICH. JAN. 5, 1917.
FoRDNEY FOR U. s. SENATOR
Announcement of Saginaw Friends
Not Sanctioned by Him.

LANSING, Mich, Jan. 1.-Con-
gresham Joseph w. Fordney, of Sag
NAV, ranking Republican member of
the ways and means committee OF the
house of representatives in Washing
ton, will be a candidate for United
States senator from Michigan in 1915,
according to an announcement made
here this afternoon by Saginaw
friends of Michigan s "Uncle Joe. -
AS result, the contest for the
United States senatorship, which will
be settled at the polls in November,
1918, has overshadowcl in interest
every other political question and it
is now freely predicted that in the
fall of 1918 the state will see one of
the greatest political struggles of its
history.
Three principal angles contribute to
the intense interest that is manifest
ed in the coming senatorial battle.
The first is that Fordney's entry, in
creasing the number of known candi
dates to four, will bring out Senator
William Smith, who until recently had
decided not to run again.
Osborn Opposes Dickinson.
The second is that the 500 Osborn,
who weeks ago announced his candi-
dacy, has decided that he wants to
be the dry candidate and has flung the
guage to Lientenant-G Governor Dick
inson, the logical dry candidate, who
has the backing Of the dry organiza-
ton. The 500 free lance has already
put out feelers here in Lansing and
out in the state among the dry forces.
The third angle is that the success
of Osborn would, beyond any doubt,
bring out former Governor Ferris as
Democratic candidate--and multi
plicity of candidates is considered an
aid to Osborn. When asked point
blank, the retiring governor brings in
to play that half-joking, half-serious
laugh and declares that there isn't
any use talking about things so far in
the future, or that he hopes he IS out
of politics for good. But that Ferris
will run if Osborn is successful can be
put down as gospel truth. 1t can be
further written that the former gov
ernOr will run for anything that Os-
born may seek from Michigan.
Warren May Enter Race.
What effect Congressman Fordney s
entry will have on the possible candi-
dacies of other Republicans who have
been mentioned is problematical.
State Senator Alton II. Roberts, of
Marquette, is still an avowed candi-
date. He will arrive here tomorrow,
but it is hardly probable that he will
discuss the matter.
More interest is shown in the pos
sible candidacy Of Charles B. Warren
of Detroit. Friends of Warren here
today asserted that Mr.. Warren was
seriously considering announcing his
candidacy. Others declare that the
entry of Mr.. Fordney means that Mr..
Warren will not come in, because of
the close utilization through Mr..
Warren s connection with beet sugar
and other interests in which Mr.. Ford
ney is also concerned. Then there is
James Cousin froango, snot vbgk xz6z
James Couzens, also of Detroit, but
since the Fordney development, there
is little mention Of the Detroiter's
name.
Fordney's entry is taken by Repub-
hcans generally to mean that he has
given up hope of becoming chairman
OF the ways and means committee of |
the congressional house. 1t is well
known that his greatest ambition was
to write tariff bill that would bear |
his name, as he has been for years
the leading exponent of protection in |
the lower house.