Americus times-recorder., 1920-04-04
WOOD TO DROP in
RACE If HE LOSES
in Mich. MONDAY
Primary There To Be
Firs@eal Test Of
General
By H. N. RICKEY.

DJ IL ANs
WASHINGTON, April 3.-The
Importance of the presidential pri-
mary in Michigan, April 5, in its
bearing on the Republican national
convention, can hardly be overesti-
mated. This is the view of the man
ayers of all the presidential candi-
dates and of the political sharps.
Its chief Importance lies in the
fact that upon the results depends
in a large measure the future OF
General Woods candidacy.
General Woods position in the
race for the nomination will be much
lower than it now is if he fails to
win decisive victory in Michigan.
1t would be an overstatement to
saw that such a failure would elimi-
nate him from the race, but it would
put such a crimp in his candidacy
that his opponents, especially those
who make the best showing against
him, would have the right to feel
great encouragement.
Wood Alive to Peril.
That the military candidate is full
ly alive to the perils of the Michl-
gan situation as they affect his pres
idential aspirations is shown by his
statement in answer to Senator Bo-
rah's broadside against the money
spending phase of the Wood cam
paign.
Borah has made and repeated the
charge that the men behind the gen
erals campaign are engaged in de-
liberate attempt to purchase the
nomination and election of Wood.
He followed the charge by introduc-
ing in the Senate bill calling for
an investigation of the financing. OF
All presidential candidates and limit
ing the use of money.
General Woods answer, which
was rather evasive as to the use OF
loney in his interests, contained
ais significant paragraph:
81 am convinced that Senator Bo-
rah's attack at this time is for the
purpose of influencing adversely the
primary vote in Michigan, next Mon
day, April So
Borah Continues Fight.
Senator 3orah came right back at
the general with this:
"You claim my attack upon you
was to sway the voters of Michigan.
You are in part correct. 1t was IN
tended to sway the voters, not only
in Michigan, but throughout the
United States. If you are not IA
mihar with what is going on in your
behalf for the presidency, l take
leave to assert that unless you ia
miliarize yourself and correct it you
will bring disgrace upon your name,
your party and your country.
And, having made this contrlbu-
ton to the gayety of the Republican
presidential contest, Borah put his
toothbrush and mighty into his trav-
cling bag and took the train for
Michigan to campaign for Johnson.
Senator Kenyon, another johnson
backer, no less outspoken than Bo-
rah against the money spending IN
Woods interest, has been in Mich
igan.
First Test. in Michigan.
Michigan is the first state IN which
the issue between the other Repub-
lican candidates as to the generals
campaign methods is to be definitely
joined.
1t is not at a. nlikely that there
is an understandln mong the whole
group of candidate who are oppos-
ing Wood that the time has come to
pull him down from his position as
leading candidate and that johnson
has been chosen to do the Job IN
Michigan.
Woods disadvantage lies in the
fact that while the loss OF the state
or an Indifferent victory Will ire
menduously weaken his candidacy,
victory. unless it be overwhelming,
will by no means cinch 1t. Michigan
because of strong Roosevelt Pro-
gressive sentiment which has for
years pervaded it, is one OF the
states which has been conceded to
Wood in the calculations of the can
didates and politicians.
So that an ordinary victory there,
while it will add some votes to the
Mood strength at Chicago, will have
EVtle, if any, effect on the general S
candidacy in other states.
Hoover on Ballots.
There is another phase of the
Michigan situation which is claim
ing the attention of the politicians
and which is of interest to the rank
and file of voters throughout the
nation.
The name of Hoover is on both
I the Republican and Democratic bal
lots. put there without his advice or
consent, but there to stay because
under the Michigan primary law
there is no way to get it off.
McAdoo also appears on the
Democratic ballot, although he asked
to have it taken off. Failing in this
McAdoo has stated that should he be
endorsed he will Immediately release
the candidates from any obligation