New-York tribune., 1919-12-08
Harding Supporters Hope
full on Eve of Republic
an National Committee
Meeting in Washington
Will McAdoo Quit Race?
To Withdraw, Says Rumor;
Chicago Almost Sure of
Republican Convention
By Carter Field
NeU York Tribune
W1shinUtor Bureau

Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Dec. 7-Governor
Frank O. Lowden Of Illinois and Cen
eral Leonard Wood unquestionably
will be shown to be out in the lead
for the Presidential nomination when
the Republican National Committee
meets here Wednesday, politicians de-
clared tonight. This does not by any
means indicate that the chances have
narrowed down to these two men. On
the contrary, hackers of other candi-
dates, notably Senator Harding of Ohio,
while admitting the present situation
frankly, say their opportunity will
come later.
The convention is almost certain to
go to Chicago, judging from advance
information from the national COM
mItteemen. Backers Of Chicago said
toni-h. that several cities which arc
being much talked about as competi-
tors have quietly slipped out of the
race, and the national committeeman
from their states are going TO vote for
Chicago.
incidentally, the present indications
are that the Democratic National Con-
vention, for the first time in political
history, will go to the Pacific Coast.
San Francisco's hackers claim to have
lined up twothirds of the Democratic
national committeeman.
McAdoo Reported to Withdraw
While Democratic politics at the mo-
ment is not as hot as Republican poll
tics; there are many strange rumors
here about Democratic candidates. One,
for instance, is that William G. Nc
Adoo intends to withdraw from the
race, despite the activities in his be-
half of some of his supporters.
Meanwhile, the other leading candi-
date for the Democratic nomination, A
Mitchell Palmer, is having trouble in
controlling Pennsylvania, his own
state, Representative Arthur c. Dewalt.
of Allentown, one of his bitterest po-
litical foes in the state, having thrown
his hat in tie ring for national COM
mitteman to succeed Mr. Palmer Mr.
Palmer himself is understood to favor
Joseph Guthrie, Of Pitts burgh, former
ly national committeeman.
An interesting rumOr which is ex
citing Republican politicians here is
that John 7. King, national committee
man from Connecticut, and promoter Of
the Wood boom, has quietly made it
plain that if General Wood should be
nominated Will H. Hays Will lie re-
lieved of his duties as chairman of the
Republican national committee.
General Wood Strong
1t is thought here that if this should
develop to be true, it would change to
some extent Mr.. Hays oft repeated
maxim that his duty is to "elect--no.
select-the candidate" Friends of
General Wood here say they are con-
hdent that Mr.. King has no such plan
to GUST Mr.. Hays, if for no other
reason than the obvious political facV
that such a determinatio would make
it easier for any opponent of General
Wood to annex the Indiana delegation
to the convention.
III, general impression is that the
men who control the Republican party
would prefer the nomination of either
Governor Lowden or Senator Harding,
and that Senator Watson, Of Indiana,
might be even more satisfactory to
them, but virtually has been eliminated
because of the belief that 1t would be
more difficult to elect him.
General Woods strength, however, is
recognized as great. He will come to
the convention with almost all of New
side of Massachusetts, which probably
will be committed to Governor Coolidge
and vote for him until Murray Crane
and Senator Lodge decide the time
has come to move.
TChuc0u "a pr;marv Cond;data
General Woods showing in South
Dakota, it is said here, is not con-
elusive. Friends OF Hiram johnson say
mary ballot there by petition and that
he will make his first bow as a dele
gate seeker in that struggle. General
Woods great popularity, however, is
conceded even by politicians who do
not want him, and it is understood
that he will come to the convention
with considerable block of delegates
Frank H. Hitchcock's activities in
behalf of General Wood throughout
the South, where he is regarded as be-
ing past master in the art of lining
up delegates, will, it is thought, give
the General large number of votes
from New England, Kansas, South
Dakota and such others as Genera
" ood may pick up in primaries.
Governor Lowden, however, will have
the Illinois delegation in his pocket
and such delegations as those O.
Massachusetts, New York and Pennsyl
vania may be thrown to him if tn.
powers that be so decide, after, o.
course, a few preliminary ballots t,
discharge primary obligations.
Republicans Count on New York
Here enters the hope of the Hardin,
supporters. The Ohio Senator, the,
say, is just as satisfactory to the mel
who will control the Massachusetts
| Pennsylvania and New York delega
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