Evening star., 1919-12-28
.ST|RS WOOD BOOM
|NPENNSYLVAN|A
Move for UnpIedged Dele
oates Seen as Favorable
to SprouI.

HARRISBURG. Pa, December -
Especially D.-Announoement that half a
dozen republicans OF prominence In
eastern Pennsylvania congressional
districts would run for delegates to
the Chicago convention on an unin-
structed basis have started boomers
of Gen. Leonard Wood into action
earlier than expected. and plans for
formation of Wood clubs and CON-
mittees are being talked Of among
admirers of the general. This Wood
activity. very apparently aimed to
put the brakes upon the rapidly de-
veloping movement to have the Key
stone state delegation unpledged. but
ready to vote for Gov. william L.
Sproul, has been heard Of in what is
familiarly known as the Pennsyl-
counties from Lebanon to Lehgh.
with Reading as the center. An ef-
fort to start something has also been
made in Williamsport. but does not
seem to have made any more head
way than the conversations in Read
ing and Lebanon.
Lean to Unpledged Basis.
Practically every one of the repub
1icanS who has announced candidacy
for national delegate or who is favor
ably spoken of by county leaders is
backed by the republican organixa-
tion in the district on an unpledged
basis. One or two of the men who
announced candidates. have added to
the declaration Of their ambitions
pronounced admiration for Sproul and
the hope that they will get a chance
to vote for him. In addition. there
have been some remarks to the effect
that business men of their districts
are going to Chicago to work for
Sproul.
While here this week Gov Sproul
smiled over tn" a-~"rness manifested
for him by some ii the delegates, and
let it be known that he considered the
support given to mention of his name
dorsement of his administration,
which will pass its first year one
month hence. Further than that the
governor has firmly declined to go.
His friends, however. are decidedly
busy, and hope by a showing in other
states to bring him early to the front.
1t became known here that the gov
ernor has received some letters from
adjoining states which have indicated
that if opportunity presents itself
Keystone governor, and that they are
not unaware of the Pennsylvania busi-
ness influence which put Sproul into
the gubernatorial chair.
Bryan and Democrats.
The prominence given to William
Jennings Bryan in democratic gossip
at the National Capital resulted in a
very mild registration of interest
among Pennsylvania democrats There
is considerable expression Of relief
among the democrats in the state or
ganiZation that William B. Wilson is
to remain in the cabinet, and the work
in behalf of Palmer delegates is going
forward in more confident spirit.
Democratic organization men are
awaiting the development of Repre-
sentative Arthur G. Dewalts ambi-
tions. He is announced for national
committeeman, and there are five
democrats out in the big county of
his district, in which he does not re-,
side. for the congressional nomina-
tion. No democrat is announced in
Dewalt's county up to this writing.
Dewalt belongs to the old democratic
school. but thoughts are heard that
he might eschew national committee
ambitions il affairs turned favorably
for another two years in Washington.
Some talk is heard that the prohibi-
tion state leaders will have a confer
ence here in the winter to decide upon
a plan. The state headquarters il still
| maintained here. but largely on a
correspondence basis
A. BOYD HAMILTON.