New-York tribune., 1920-02-24
PenrOse Looms
AS Big Factor
AT Convention
Physician Promises to Have
Senator Back in Seat
in Capitol by April Is,
Much. Improved in Health
Mind Open on Candidates
Watson Says After Interview
That Pennsylvania Leader
Is ''Hostile to No One''
By Carter Field

From The Tribunc's Washinotom B,.ronu
WASHINGTON, Feb. Ex-senator
Boies Penrose, Of PENNSYLVANIA. who
undoubtedly will control more dele
gates at the Republican convention in
Chicago than any other man, conferred
at length on the question Of candidates
here to-day. with Senator James S.
Watson, of Indiana, who for a long
time was Mr. Penroscs choice for tho
nomination, but who has now with
drawn from the race.
incidentally, Mr.. Penrose was in good
physical condition, and his physicians
told Senator Watson that the Senator
needed only little hardening, which
1t Is thought he will get in Florida, to
be IN better physical shape than he has
been in for years. The physician
promised that Mr.. Penrose will be back
In his seat in the Senate by April Is.
The report on Mr.. Penrosc's health
was received with tremendous interest
by Republican politicians on the return
to the Capitol of Senator Watson. Mr..
Penrose's illness has been so serious at
times that there has been wonder as to
whether he could WELD any influence
at the Chicago convention.
Confers on Private Car
The conference was held on the pri-
vate car on which Mr.. penrosc is Jour
neying to- Florida. This is the first
time the Pennsylvania Senator has
ridden on railroad since the govern
ment took the roads over, January l.
1918. He has used his specially built
big red touring car exclusively, making
trips to New York, Pittsburgh and into
New England
Senator Watson was cautious in com
mentlng on his interview with Mr.. PEN
rose, even with other Senators. -Four
eandldates e, were discussed, he said
w ood, Lowden. Harding and johnson.
"Mr. Penrose is not hostile to any
candidate," Mr.. Watson said. Gle is
positively not opposed to Lowden, as
has been rumored. and | am positive he
never made the statement attributed to
HIM that a man can't run Tor President
in Pullman car.
Mr. Penrose made it clear that he
was not opposed to the tariff legisla-
ton being considered by the Finance
Committee and that he was content to
trust to the committees judgment. He
asked me to make this clear, as he has
been mlsQuoted as being opposed to it,
There is a great interest in how
Mr.. Penrose regards the candidacy of
General Wood" Mr. Watson was told.
"Of course, there is great interest in
the position of a man who will control
$50 delegates" retorted Mr.. Watson,
but am not woing to speak for him.
will say only that he is not hostile
to any candidate"
Johnson Men Interested
Supporters of Hiram Johnson were
enormously interested in the fact that
Mr. Penrose discussed Johnson's can
dldacy with Senator Watson, but could
get no additional information than than
'Mr; Penrose is not hostile to any
candidate"
Senator Johnson left tonight for
North Dakota to speak in the Presi-
Dental primary campaign there. The
primary the first after that Of New
Hamps hirc comes on March 16, and
the johnson workers are very hopeful
Of carrying it.
Senatcr Johnson is worried over re-
ports which have gone out that the
Nenpartisan League is for him, and
that by the same token this. while
helping him in North Dakota, is hurt
ing his chances in Minnesota and South
Dakota, where the Nonpartisan League
IS bitterly hated minority.
Mr. Johnson wants the votes of the
farmers who belong to the league. bat
he does not want the support Of Town
ley and the league leaders. lf driven
20 1t, his friends here thought TODAY,
Nj. johnson viii in the course Of his
speeches attach. the league leaders,
while praising the patriotism of the
7dlVdual farmers belonging to it,