Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-01-28
M|CH|GAN'S C. O.P.
FACING BIG FIGHT
Woods Full of Aspirants for
Seat in the United
States Senate.
w. A. SMITH MAY RETIRE

Michigan is another state where re-
publican politics Is in a ferment, pre-
lirainary to reorganization. and also
where a United States senatorship Is
IN the melting pot. Although the term
of Senator william Alden Smith does
not expire until 1919. eager eyes are
being turned already upon his chair
and far-seeing politicians are prepar-
ing to take time by the forelock.
One reason for the activity in the
senatorial situation is ascribed to in
terest I'm a rumor current in political
circles to the effect that Senator Smith
may not be a candidate to succeed him.
self. and that he even might possibly
retire before the expiration Of his term
IL he were assured that his friend. Ar
thur Vandenburg, would be appointed
by Gov. Sleeper to I'LL the unexpired
term.
Doremus May Enter Race.
A number of prominent men are ex-
pected to figure in the contest at the
primaries for the republican sena-
torial nomination. in the event of
readjustment between the standpat re-
publicans and the progressives, which
will promise united party. In case
such harmony does not ensue the demo-
Gratis of Michigan, like those of their
. neghbors across the line in another
republican state-Illinois-will take a
hand in the game, with the hope of
electing Representative Doremus to the
Senate.
James Couzens of Detroit will be
in the republican senatorial con-
test. IL Is said. He is manufac-
turer, row retired from business. with
a nest egg of fifty millions or some
such trifie, as fortunes are measured in
Detroit He is now devoting himself
to social betterment and uplift of hu-
manity and is said to be the man who
was actually responsible for putting
the IS in the day laborers' pay en-
velope-" At present he IS police COM
missioner of Detroit and immensely
popular. He is not cardindexed as
either a standpatter or progressive, al
though his ideas are decidedly pro-
gressive.
Fordney Regulars Choice.
will be the champion of the regular
republicans in the primary contest for
the nomination. as he is regarded as
one Of the notable standpatters of the
times on tariff questions. He is very
popular in the state. and during his
long service in the House has built up
a large following of friends all over
the commonwealth.
Former Gov. Chase S. Osborn will be
n candidate, 1t is said. His designation,
factionally. is rather indefinite at pres
emit In 1912 he was first for Taft, then
for Roosevelt and wound up by sug-
costing the election of Wilson as an al
tentative proposition in the circum-
stances.
ing also will make the run. it is~ex-
pected. He is described as progressive
regular, or q regular with progressive
ideals His friends say that he will
command support in both factions and
predict that he will make lively race
Lieut. Gov. Luren D. Dickinson will
be a candidate and will appeal to the
dry" vote. Michigan having just gotten
on ~the water wagon" Mr.. Osborn,
however, claims that as to prohibition
ne saw it first" and will dispute MI
Dickinson's pretensions to support of
the drys.
Alex ]. Groesbeck. present attorney
general of the state. will be in the run
ming. He was for Taft in 1912, but is
now an ardent progressive.
Double Fight for Warren.
National Committeeman Charles B.
Warren will be candidate. but it is
on to his committeemanship, as the pro-
gressives are after him on the charge
that he is "standpatter"
Gov. Sleeper is debarred from partici-
patton in the impending senatorial con-
test by a provision of state law. which
prohibits the governor from becomin &
a candidate for another office until his
gubernatorial term has expired.
The fight between the progressives
and standpatters will begin at the bot
tom of the political ladder, the selection
of county chairmen and precinct and
ward leaders. 1t is charged by the pro-
gressives that the county chairmen
were all-powerful in the selection of the
alleged "hand-picked'' delegates to the
national convention last year and they
intend to put only progressives on
GUARD for the future