The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-02
WON'T THINK OF IT
johnson Refuses to Even Con-
slider Second Place.
Supporters Claim Californian's
Nomination Sixth Ballot.
GENERAL WOOD is ON JOB
Friction in Organization Flees
When Chief Arrives.
Politicians Buzzed When Proc
tor Slapped Hitcheock's Back.

Chicago, June THAT Senator
Hiram johnson of California means
to make an uncompromising fight for
the Republican presidential nomina-
ton was seen in the statement here
today that under no circumstances"
would he accept a nomination for the
vice presidency"
The statement, issued from John
son headquarters, followed a report
that an offer had been made to have
the Californian run as a vice presi-
Dental candidate with Governor Low
den leading the ticket
There is no doubt that he will be
nominated on the sixth ballot" said
the statement.
General Is on the Job.
The Wood campaign today began to
show strong evidence that the general
himself is running things. With no
noise or fuss, the situation, which ad-
mittedly had been rather disappoint-
ing to some of his supporters. began
to smooth out. He demonstrated that
he was able to do a better job of it
than some of his managers.
There was a conference here and a
conference there; this man was sent
for and then, that And the threaten
ing storm clouds. which the opposition
jubilantly Lad been watching, began
to roll away.
Proctor and Wood had a long talk
Then other managers came in for a
strategy" meeting. While it was
stated the Wood convention plans were
not yet ready to be definitely an
nounced, every one knew the Wood
machine was working again and go
ing forward-not backward. Proctor
and Hitchcock, altho supposed to be
equal managers, but had not seen each
other in weeks, were brought together.
H..
walked in and slapped Hitchcock on
the back. They shook hands. Proc
ter sat down for a few moments whis-
pering-arranging a general confer
ence of Hitchcock and all the Wood
liehtenants with the general. A trifl-
politicians buzzed over it, for they were
seeing visible evidence of the story of
the Hitchcock row blowing up!
Wood Kills Friction Story.
General Wood saw the newspaper
men and let them shoot questions t
him. And he pounced all over the
friction story. 1T is enemy propa-
ganda to break the morale of our
forces he said But it hasn't
be heard of again."
And Wood said it in a manner that
left no reservations as to how he felt
about it. He feels eIated over the SIT
uation. He realizes he has a fight on
his hands. But he is confident and
his managers are.
Senator George Moses. one of his
Eastern managers. arrived from Wash
ington today. He is a practical poll
tician, if there ever was one, and was
much in evidence. He made no ex-
travagant claims, but pointed out that
while J. hubbub was being made here
about fly speck troubles Wood had
mr. do1a ole Ia
claimed twice as many, and had many
second choice votes that would come
on later ballots.
And who were they going to beat
him with? Moses asked
Hiram Johnson. jr., who is repre-
senting his dads interests, cut loose
a statement that Johnson would not
think of accepting a second place on
the ticket. 1t was first place or none.
But, be il said, not nearly so much is
heard here of Johnson as was in Wash
ington.
Can't See johnson.
OF course Johnson carries his own
campaign around him in person and
will whoop UP enthusiasm when he
comes. But the practical politician,
while admitting Johnson will be fac
tor, will have to be dealt with gingerly
and will be recognized. doesn't see his
nomination chances nearly so strongly
as they do in Washington.
The politicians assert that in spite
of his primary victories, Johnson has
only two state delegations soldily be-
hind him-California and Montana I;
that while he will get first, or even
second ballot votes from certain states.
more than half his delegates are not
Johnson men at heart In Oregon,
for example, some of Johnson's dele
gates, including his state manager,
were defeated by Wood men. In Ne
braska most of the delegates are Wood
men personally, with a few Lowden
men among them. In Indiana Jim
Hemingway, one of the oldest of the
old timers and old guarders, is an in
structed johnson delegate. Michi-
gan is half Wood in the personnel
Hemingway is about as strong for
johnson as Jim Reed is for Wilson
and his League of Nations.
And so the primaries have brought
about many freak situations" Wood
has some of these situations himself.
as in Indiana, where only a handful
of the delegates are for him person
ally Much the same is true in Mary
land. But Wood can replace any dele
gate that might leave him with ac-
cretions from johnson. But where is
johnson, in spite of, the admittedly
popular sentiment that exists for him
in certain states, to get the delegates.
the politicians ask. Where are his
| second line reserves?
STRIKE AGAINST HIGH TAXES.