The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-05-03
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Allen Arrives Home Eager for
Debate With Gompers.
Probably Will Be Held in Car
negie Hall May 2s.
TO BOOST KAASAN'S CHANGES?
Says Special Train of Boosters
"WOuld Be Great"
Governor Refuses to Discuss
Presidential Situation.
TO BOOST KANSAN'S CHANGES:

Gov Henry ]. Allen returned to To-
peka today after a ten days speaking
tour of the East. He came home
''rarin' " for a chance to debate the
Kansas industrial court act with
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor Two
New York dates-May % or 29-are
open. Governor Allen wired he would
accept either date. He supplemented
his wire with a request for earlier de-
bates in Washington.
Silent on Presidential Race.
The Kansas governor is home from
a wonderful reception in the East in
which he was frequently referred to
as the most likely dark horse before
the Republican national convention in
Chicago in June. Governor Allen de-
clined to discuss national candidates,
state preference primaries and COM
binations further than to venture
compliment for Senator Knox of
Pennsylvania and Knoxs endorsement
by Senator Penrose of Pennsylvania.
Not until he arrived in Topeka to-
day had Governor Allen heard of the
plan to send a special train to New
York loaded with Kansas boosters
anxious to see the governor in his
clash with Gompers.
THAT will be great, the governor
declared when told of the plan for
special. "I hope they put it across"
Hundreds of kilograms for reserva-
tions for the Allen-Gompers debate
have already been sent to New York,
it was declared. 1t also was reported
that a large number of congressman
will attend the debate.
Carnegie Hall Open.
Details for the big labor court de-
bate are now up to Gompers for rati-
TaCpiNAd a
wire this morning stating that Car
negie hall would be available for the
debate either May 2S or 20. The gov
ernor answered promptly. He said he
would accept either date. but pre-
ferred May rs. He then asked if it
would be possible to arrange for earlier
debates with Gompers in Washington.
! Plans being worked out by a num-
Der of Kansans provide for the
chartering of a special train from To-
lpeka to New York. The train would
carry both Governor Allen and the
home state crowd. If the Washington
dates are arranged, the train would
go to New York following the national
| capital speeches, except in case the
York meeting. The Kansans making
the trip would stop in Chicago on
their way home and would participate
in the preconvention milling.
To Boost Aliens Chances
1t is the belief of shrewd Kansas OBJ
servers that the Allen-Gompers debate
will have a decided effect on the ma
| tional convention and might develop
! sentiment to the point of giving the
presidential nomination to the Kansas
governor. A number of letters and
kilograms endorsing plans to meet
Gompers were received by the gov
ernor when he returned to Topeka
The list included a cable from friends
| in Paris.
Governor Allen flatly refused to dis
cuss effects of recent presidential
preference primaries or to comment
on relative strength of candidates His
only expression was in, response to ar
inquiry as to the effect of the Senator
Knox boom.
| Senator Knox's popularity and
strength. coupled with his unqualified
endorsement by Senator Penrose, nat
urally makes him most prominent,
said Governor Allen. This is natur-
ally true in view of the strength of the
Feehnsylvania delegation in the nation
al convention and the possibility tina
Il Senator Knox may be determined the
states favorite SON."