Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-06-08
Like MIST OVerLa axe,
Convention Vap0rs
Obscure Course.
PARTY PROCEEDING
UNDER SLOW BELL
Some Men of influence Are In
clined to Candidate Not
Under Fire.
BY N. o. MESSENGER.


CHICAGO, June S.-Delegates and
visitors to the convention were
awakened this morning by the deer
booming of the fog horns Of the outer
breakwater, denoting mist over the
waters. An occasional muff1ed whistle
announced an incoming steamer nos
ing her way cautiously into the har-
Dor. There was something ominous in
the roar of the fog horn-and the mist
lay heavily over the lake and en-
veloped the city.
The simile is applicable to the politi-
cal situation confronting the as
sembled republicans, who today took
up the task of nominating tickets and
framing platform acceptable to the
two wings of the party. They are
starting in a mist. a veritable fog. and
are proceeding under slow bell.
1t might be added that later in the
morning the mist cleared away, reveal
ing fair day.
Within twenty-four hours there has
been no decided change in the situation
Of uncertainty which has prevailed right
along, and no event has occurred bear
ing potentially upon it. No candidates
prospects have been enhanced; some
candidates may have been disparaged
but even that remains to be worked out.
Senator Borah's Effort.
Senator Borah. in behalf of his friend
Johnson, sought to cruelty Wood and
Lowden, to put them in a light which
would make the delegates regard nom-
ination Of either as undesirable for the
party.
who wish to read with full details of the
drive against Lowden and Wood. From
the talk which is heard early this morn
ing the inference Is warranted that II
Senator Borah succeeds in destroying
Lowden he will not have helped his
friend, Senator johnson. He is not
making friends for Johnson in quarters
which could help Johnson and would
normally be disposed to do so.
Here Is brief summary Of the sit
uation as It unfolds today: Gov. Low
den's supporters declared this morn
ing that they are not dismayed by
Borah's attack and will continue their
efforts In the governors behalf. They
insist that inquiry among the dele
gates coavinces them that recent In
cidents, including last nights, have
not weakened the friendship of the
delegates to Lowden, and that they
intend to persist In their plan to put
Lowden over" until it is shown to be
futile.
Lovsden Opposition.
Opposed to this plan are several in
fiuential republicans who really be-
lieve the. best thing to do is to wipe
the slate clean of the potential can
didates and turn to a man who has
not been under fire. They realize that
the first thing is to crush Lowden
They also appreciate the fact that
having done so. there would still be
a tremendous task in selecting a NOM
inee among the minor candidates and
the dark horses"
So with Lowden, Wood and Johnson
eliminated, according to their plan,
they would have read out of the con-
vention the three men who are actu-
ally supported by delegates present
in person, and would have to turn to
men having only their respective state
delegations behind them-and not
unanimously back of them, either, un-
less a miraculous vision should dis
close certainty of their nomination.
The sum of the delegates friendly
to either Wood. Lowden or Johnson,
known to be favorable to them.
though not all instructed. constitutes
a majority of the convention, able to
nominate. Drop their favorites and
they are at sea at once.
Gov. Sproul Looming.
If. however. it should come to that.
and the field of availables is consid-
cred. the judgment of some very i'm
portant leaders is that Gov. Sproul OF
Pennsylvania, at this hour. is under
more favorable consideration perhaps
than any other. These leaders told
The Stars correspondent today that
they have knowledge Of influences
working in the Pennsylvania gov
ernor's behalf which should be very
powerful, II it ever comes to the show
down where they are to be applied.
When New York and Pennsylvania
can come to a working agreement in
harmony, associated with Massachu-
setts. some definite trend will become
visible. Up to this time. that has not
been reached. The New York delega-
tion is fairly honeycombed with di-
verse views over candidates. There is
no leader in New York big enough to
handle the state.
One might write a column without
giving more than the broad outlines
and general features of the situation
today as presented. The foregoing
statement reflects the cold judgment
of some Of the most potential men al
the convention. who at the same time
point out that it is not binding and
Is subject to the mutation of circum-
stances and events as they arise.