The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-06-09

CHICAGO. Juna S--The Wood forces
arc clatcd tonight. They claim victory
in thc principal business transacted.
Instructed Wood delegates won the
two most important committee chair
manships-Scnato Watson, Of Indiana.
for resolutions and Edward D. Duffeld
Of New Jersey. for credentials. Frank
H. Hitchcock was designated by the
Wood delegates as their supreme STRAIT
cSiSt.
Think Of tho psychological effect of
'his victory" he said. when asked of
benefit from these steps in organization.
I'VE controlled the committees
against powerful opposition; almost
solid anti-Wood forces" Mr.. Hitch
number of delegates Is concerned, the
selection of Mr.. DufIi"ld over Charles
H. Innes Of Massachusetts. is OF small
moment. We will make no efforts to
ovcrturn the work Of the national com,
mittee on contests. To do 50 would
prejudice the Wood cause. and I have
given our forces instructions not TO d"
SO. No rough stuff will come from us.
hut We are glad 10 be able 10 show that
The majority Of the committc" on Gre
dentials. and also on resolutions is not
against Wood.
Trend Toward Lowden.
While these developments were tax
ing place tn" general trend Of the talk
ward bowd"n.
1t was kept going by men who we're
leaders in former conventions when
they made party presidential nomina-
,ions. bur whether il IS sufficiently po,
opposed to Wood or Johnson they do
not profess 10 know themselves. Tho
program. If it can be 50 called. is first
TO establish 10 tho satisfaction of un-
instructed delegates. and those only
instructed as a compliment to men who
haWe--fa il~d-sto- make further headway.
that neither Wood nor Johnson can get
enough 30 win. Some Of these leaders
are said to bc willing TO put Lowdcn IN
the same list.
The Lowden Claims.
With less than hPlf Of III" delegates
sewcd M with instructions which many
say do not in all cases represent the
desires of the men bound by them. the
SPONSORS for tho Lowd"n talk advocate
a rapid succession OF ballots to produce
as quickly as can he done honorahly
cracking of instructed support. Those
who are now talking Lowdcn say they
believe the disinteEration will begin
with Johnson and Wood forces. II IL
not clear why they profess not to fenr
that Lowdcn will be affected in the
same way.
One reason behind tie Willingness Of
thesc 1.owden advocates 10 tax" all the
risks that necessarily accompany Ct
forts 10 upset instructions Is said tn be
satisfied with any conservative who
can he nominated and have a harmoni-
Gus party behind him. whether II be
Harding. Srroul Knox, Coolidge. Hughes
or someone who has not figured con-
splCuously.
LET'S have the tcst." they say. NO
one has had any particular advantage
so far. If We can't win with 1.owdcn
we will try another.
Attack Wood and johnson.
tnI OF
mCnt. Governor Lowden and Senator
Johnson expressed their views on the
situation in The following statcments'
The reports coming 10 uS today
make us very optimistic. and | am en-
tirely satisfied with the situation, SAID
Governor LOwdcn.
Senator Johnson said:
II nave an abiding confidence In the
ultimate rcsult. I feel very certain
that this convention. in view OF all
that has transrircd will recognize the
expressed popular choice of the rank
anG file of the Republican party.
Men would be unwisc even recreant
10 the party. in their positions as truS.
tees for its members. If they dld not
recognize the choice
Those who are talking for Lowdcn
acknowledge that they want 10 head OF
tho nOmina tinn of General Wood
that both the Wood and Lowden man.
ayers arc doing everything they can to
corral Johnson delegates.
The fight tonight Is conccdedly TO
weaken both the Wood and Johnson
forces and turn the gains TO Lowdcn
Whether II will succeed remains for
the convention itself to decide.
This in brief. sums un the situation as
It refers TO the Big Three
Mr.. Hitchcock said he had heard OF
the claims that Wood delegates would
not stick but he was not alarmed.
They will stick" he said tonight.
Their number will grow until we
have enough.
Tho brief and outwardly harmonious
session of the convention today con-
vinccd almost everybody that the big
scene IS not vet ready. \ good deal OF
preliminary stage managing and re-
hearsing is going on in back" and 1t Is
obvious9that the majority of delegates
do not know their lines.
In such a tame opening as Is expectc.
only when the nomination Is cut and
dried there waS today not single dcnt-
onstratton for any candidate--rot an
evidence of compelling sentiment for
anyone Of them. Obviously everybody
was waiting to see what the other fei-
low could show. waiting for bard
wagon.
There Is an element hirh wants
neither I.owden. Johnson nor Wood. and
thcir hope is that three ballots, viii
show that none Of tho big three can get
4 commanding majority.
Tho plan now ~ to have all nomin-
ating speeches delivered at the Thurs
day session even If the convention has
to sit through the night and take the
flrst ballot Then the real contest would
come on Friday.