Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-09
DEvOE PREDICTS
1920 VICTORY OF.
REPUBLICANS
National Committee Gathers
In Washington Victor Rose.
water to Attend Former
Chairmen's Meeting.
BY E. c. SNYDER.



Washington, Dec. s. Especial
Telegram.)-The advance guard Of
the republican committee, which
meets at the new Willard Wednes.
day to determine the time and place
for holding the national republican
convention next year, has begun put
ting in an appearance. The list OF
arrivals was greatly augmented by
boosters" for Chicago and St
Louis, rival candidates for the honor
of entertaining the convention
which is most generally expected to
nominate the next president of the
United States.
Governor S. R. McKelvie, accom-
panied by Robert w. Devoe, chair
man of the state republican commit
tee, arrived Monday as did Victor
Rosewater, editor of The Bee, and
Harry Byrne of Omaha. National
committeeman r. B. Howell arrived
Sunday.
Wood Most Active.
Governor McKelvie, in answer I'd
a question as to Nebraska's posi-
ton on presidential candidates, said
he thought the candidate who
showed the most active interest
would get the primary preference in
Nebraska. The Wood people, the
governor said,' were especially ac-
tive in the state, although there was
a movement on for Senator John
son, and that Governor Lowden of
Illinois had a number of warm per-
sonal friends in the state who would
like to see. his name presented Some
were talking of General Pershing.
As for himself, the governor said,
he was taking no sides in the presi-
dental primaries.
McKelvie to Speak.
Tuesday evening Governor Nc
Kelvie will entertain the Nebraska
delegation at dinner at the Hotel
Raleigh, and Wednesday morning
will deliver an address before the
national republican committee, to-
gether with Governor Sproul of
Pennsylvania and Mrs. Medill Nc
Cormick of the woman's executive
committee.
Primarily. the fuel situation
brought Governor McKelvie to
Washington, Nebraska being about
as hard hit at thisstime as any state
in the union over the shortage of
coal.
Gust what can be done for the
state is what interests me most at
this time" said Governor McKelvie.
1--WE are in bad way growing out
of the coal shortage and our peo-
pie are suffering, and l am here to
help them if such a thing is hui
manly possible"
Chairman Devoe, speaking Of the
political outlook, said everything in
Nebraska pointed to a republican
victory in 1920, from the top Of the
ticket down. Everybody is disatis-
fed with present conditions and they
can hardly wait for election time to
roll around" he said.
Rosewater to Attend Meet.
Victor Rosewater, at the earnest
request of the chairman, came on
to meet with the fornler chairman
of the national committee and those
who presided temporarily over ma
tiona1 republican conventions, a
meeting that is expected to be one
of the most interesting events of
the week.
The national committee will hear
the convention city delegations dur
ing the afternoon and evening Of
Wednesday, and hopes to close by
Wednesday night. Thursday there
will be meeting Of the National
Association of State Chairmen, at
which the political conditions in all
the states will be gone over.
Julian A. Abbott of Omaha is in
Washington for a short time.
Want Watson to Run.
A feature of the preliminary dis
cussiof regarding candidates was a
meeting tonight at which republican
members of the house from Indiana
urged Senator James E. Watson
Of that state to become a candidate
for president.
Ten representatives were in the
delegation which called on Senator
Watson and comprised all Of. the
Indiana members who are in Wash
ington, They took steps to perfect
an active organization to further
Mr.. Watson's candidacy and de-
clared they had been pledged the
support of leaders in number of
other states.
Mr.. Watson has announced his
candidacy for reelection as a sem
ator next year and has made several
public statements that he was not
a candidate for the presidency.