The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-22
UNCERTAINTY AS TO
THE PARTY COUNCIL
Who Will Direct Campaigns From
Political Headquarters Here?
Recent Primary Upset a Bunch OF
Well Laid Plans in State.
LEADERS LOST AT HOME
Clyde Reed and j. VIII Kelley Both
Beaten in Local Fights.
Clyde Miller Slated for Republican
Craftsmanship Next Week.

With party councils less than week
away, uncertainty prevails in political
circles as to the men who will direct
the campaigns from political head
quarters this fail. Recent primaries
upset a bunch of well laid plans and
several men listed for high rank in
party service, will work in the cam
paign as party privates.
Gratis will name E. E. Murphy of
Leavenworth as chairman of their
state committee. Murphy directed the
Bourbon campaign of 1914. There is
little doubt that the Thompson crowd
will be in absolute control of the state
committee and affairs of the council
AS for the Republicans, their cam
paign leadership is a matter OF dou BIT
and uncertainty.
Clyde Miller. well known livestock
and insurance man and one of the
owners of the Miller ranch in Lyon
county, is a state Craftsmanship posi-
bility. Miller was the Republican
nominee for congress in the Fourth
district in 1916 and is well known in
political circles in the state. He has
not announced his candidacy and at
this time there Is an element of doubt
as to the effort which he might make
to win the election. 1t is understood,
tho, that he would go into the fight
a very considerable outside following.
Miller is now chairman of the Lyon
county committee.
Harvey H. Motter of Mcpherson,
secretary of the Allen governorship
committee. is another possibility for
the place at the head of the state
committee.
Motter. however, has arranged to be
out Of the state the greater portion
of September, and it is not known
whether he will enter the race next
Tuesday. He has made no position
concerning the action he will take.
Several strong workers have urged
that Motter be elected to the secre-
taryship of the state committee in
event the committee should name
Miller as chairman.
Clyde Reed Aliens Choice
Primary election results upset a
bunch of carefully laid plans when
several men slated for high party po-
sition were beaten for places on
local committees. Usually a party ac-
cedes to the wishes of its governor
ship candidates in the selection of a
state chairman. In the recent cam
paign Clyde Reed of Parsons, would
have doubtless been Henry J. Aliens
choice. In fact, there is consider
able reason to believe Allen approved
the selection of Reed before leaving
for France.
But Reed was beaten for commit
teeman in a local fight. Reports
from Parsons also indicate that Reed
IS blocked by the Pete Foley crowd
in any nova to become county chair
man.. So Reed seems to be eliminated
from the race. =
In any event the wishes of the Allen
leaders will be considered in the Sc
lection Of Republican state chair
man. But with the gubernatorial. can
didate overseas, there is a decided I'M
certainty and state organization of a
dominant party in Kansas has perhaps
never been more doubtful of leader
ship on the eve of entering an i'm
portant battle.
Kelley Lost at Home.
]. Will Kelley. of Topeka. was listed
as acceptable to the Thompson forces
for secretary of the state committee.
But Kelley also lost a place on the
county committee. This fact does not
of necessity bar Kelley from an Of
fetal place in state headquarters, but
| makes quite doubtful the possibility
of organizing support in bis behalf
The Thompson interests are expected
to control the Bourbon committee, but
might concede the second place on the
! state committee in event of a row.
Leaders believe there is slight chance
of a row, and the advance count of
noses indicates quite clearly that the
| federal crowd will let nothing slip.
Many of'the leaders from over the
| state Will come to Topeka Monday
| day In advance of the meeting of the
councils and state committees. In
event the Craftsmanship troubles cam
not be settled in the next few days,
| the leaders will attempt to iron out
| disputes and uncertainties Monday
and Monday night and avoid an open
tight on the floor of the meetings
I