The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-05
A MASTER STROKE
Hitchcock Scored in Picking ALI
len to Nominate Wood.
San FARRELL Writes of Chicago
Pre-ConventiOn Milling.
STILL TALKING DARK HORSE
LOWden Claims Kansas Dele.
gates After First Ballot.
Jayhawkers Still Trying to Put
Allen Across.
STILL TALKING DARK HORSE
BY SAN FARRELL.

BY SAN FARRELL
Chicago. June Crank Hitchcock,
former postmaster general and chief
tactician of the organization backing
General Wood for the presidency,
showed his political genius when he
arranged to have Gov. Henry j. Allen
of Kansas nominate Wood at the con-
hand of Hitchcock is easily discerned
in the whirlpool of the pre-convention
milling.
The Wood adherents, who originally
figured that the twenty Kansas dele
gates were safely landed in the gen
erals column, have worried lately
over reports that David w. Mulvane
and other Sunflower leaders were in
clined toward Governor Lowden. In
selecting Governor Allen to deliver the
Grafton extolling the virtues of Gem
eral Wood Hitchcock realized the
quandary which will face the Lowden-
ties from Kansas. With Allen loom
ing up as a potential dark horse" it
would place him in rather an unenvi-
able limeHght if only fraction of the
Kansans voted for Wood after his
nomination speech.
Hitchcock figured that the Kansas
delegation rather than give up the
chance of eventually landing Allen in
the White House would stick to Wood
for the first few ballots, at least.
A second. and perhaps more i'm
portant reason for the selection. is
that Governor Allen is one of the big
men of the country today. He is also
one of the nations most gifted speak
ers, and history has shown what ora
torical talent can do at national con-
ventions.
Still Booming Allen.
Kansans will gather Saturday night
at the Hamilton club in sort of jubi-
lee, but in reality the banquet will
have as its motive the forming of an
organization to put Governor Allen
across if at all possible. The COVER
nor, William Allen White and Judge
honor. Judge Olsen and the COVER
nor were boyhood chums in Pennsyl-
vania.
David w. Mulvane is, as usual ac-
tive in the inner councils of the party
leaders. In the probable absence of
Senator Penrose, of Pennsylvania. his
share in picking the nominee viii be
enhanced. Advances have been made
to the Kansas chieftain from the
camps of Lowden. johnson, Wood and
Harding. the four main contenders.
and the dark horses" even those
equines of the somberest hues, are
confiding in MuIvane by proxy.
It is interesting to conjecture what
the Kansas delegates fayoring Lowden
will do on the first ballot. Senator
FRANK u. RDm6rOS. OF t1OtIOn. one OIL
the First district delegates. is an out
and out Lowden booster.
IT am for Lowten because we need
a business executive in the presidential
chair he says. I'VE should be thru
with experiments We need man
ing his hair and breaking glasses on
the speakers platform. Lowden has
shown, not only in his business career,
but as governor of Illinois. that he is
a sane executive. and will not be in
fluenced so easily as some of the other
candidates"
Will Senator Pomeroy, who defeat
ed a Wood candidate for delegate a
few weeks ago vote for the general
out of courtesy to Governor Allen?
viii Frank Roberts. the other First
district man, do likewise? Will the
big four concur? Hitchcock figured
these things out in his busy mind and
decided in the affirmative.
Lowdcn Claims Three Fourths.
A Lowden camp follower, talking
over the Kansas situation with W. Y.
Morgan, of Hutchinson, a Wood en-
thusiast, admitted that because of
Allen, Lowden did not expect any
Kansas votes on the first ballot. After
that he claims three-fourths of the
delegation.
The Hutchinson editor is working
twelve and sixteen hours daily at the
Auditorium and Congress hotels. He
is doing valuable work for the Repub-
lican committee.
The Republican convention will
pick the best man. he said today. we
all have our opinions of who the best
man is. 1t is a merry fight now, but
when the nomination Is made. these
differences will be smoothed over and
the G. o. P. will unite'to put the right
man in the White House"
Leaders believe the probability of a
Johnson bolt is unlikely The dynamic
Californian has repeatedly assert ed
he will stick to the party even if his
chances go tobogganing on the floor OF
the convention.
And today, above the noise of many
contenders for the Wilsonian house
keeping suite, are heard the magic
words; 1T will be a dark horse +"
And three predominant in the hotel
conversations, which are echoes of the
quiet conferences of such leaders as
Mulvane, Crane and Hert. They are
Sproul, Allen and Knox.
Will it be an active candidate, or
one of the trio named? Or will
Hughes come in on the final lap?
These questions will be settled osten-
sibly n the floor of the Coliseum, but
to speak truthfully, those who will
make this vital decision could hold a
convention in a yellow cab.