The Washington times., 1920-06-08
TRICK TO .
BEAT JOHNSON.
Old Guard Holding Hughes Back
As Stalking Horse for Gov
B, ernor Sproul.
tcOntinued from First'Page.)

1 tIontlnued from fltst foe"'
for the poor showing made by
Hughes-
1t is evident they have not, and
when johnson learned OF the plan to-
day he said "a few things that would
not have sounded very pleasant II
the schemers who are workingagainst
him could have heard them. Johnson
is fully prepared to- meet such an at
tack II IL comesl
Before going into the private con-
ference Senator smoot declared. with
apparent conviction, that Johnson
could not be nominated, This was
| echoed at the close OF the conferences
by Senator New At the same time
both Senators Expressed the opinion
that Lowden's and Woods chances
are completely gone We - -
Backed ny Wall street
Senator New said that neither
nominated and that the convention
would have to go outside OF the Big
! Three for it's candidate. He is doing
what he can for Sproul, in the be-
lief that Senator Penrose would look
with faver upon Sprouts selection.
Several of the big railroad interests
, have representatives here actively at
work for Sproul. While it is true that
these interests are inimical to the
Morsans and other Wall Street pow
ers, those behind Sprouts candidacy
. feel they can bring all these interests
into harmony for Sproul once he wins
! the nominations
/ A high official of one of the large
Eastern railroad systems has been
telling some of the so-called leaders
/ that il was considered important I'd
have Sproul in the White House so
that the. railroads could get fair
| treatment in their efforts to get what
| money they need from the United
| States Treasury"
SprouI Lacks Backing
Sprouts candidacy has no popular
fsentiment behind it, and IL he were
nominated he would run the same risk
as Lowden OF Wood. that he could not
be elected.
Lowden's candidacy appeared more
{ hopeless today, as a result or the
! growing conviction that his election
would be problematical in view or all
the scandal that has been brought out
concerning the manner In which he
obtained his delegates. In view OF
the positive statements of Senators
Smoot, New and others, 1t Is apparent
that Lowden will have to grab of the
| nomination in spite of the big leaders
if he gets 1t at all. ,..n.
Woods chances appeared to be
somewhat improved. this being due
largely. however. to the fact that
many of the solidly pledged Wood
delegations arrived in the city and
began to make a lot of noise. The
Kansas delegation. all for Wood,
came in wearing big sunflower
badges and accompanied by wom-
ems band, which serenaded all head
quarters.
Hoover Men Philosophical.
Frank Hitchcock and Senator
Moses, Wood managers, were visitors
at the johnson headquarters. They
noting the enthusiasm of the long
file Of visitors, most of whom were
delegates. Not finding the Senator
in, they went on their way without
telling anyone the purpose Of their
visit.
One Of Hoovers managers paused
In the lobby Of the Congress Hotel
this afternoon long enough to make
this observation:
"Of course, Hoover is intellectu-
ally superior to all the other candi-
dates, but Johnson is the only one
who has a chance"