The Washington herald., 1920-05-02
Last Pre-convention Month
Finds Hope Reviiviing In
Minority Party.
PHELAN COAST FACTOR
California Senator Reported
Aiding Colleague in Ef-
fort to Beat Hoover.
NJ FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

ny FREDERIC "ILLlAM VILE.
Amid the babel of claims, coun-
ter-claims and speculation which
usher in the last prc-convention
month at Washington, one Sig
niicant fact stands out in boldest
relief.
That is the sudden but unmis-
taxable confidence which now fills
the Democratic party in consc-
quence of Senator Hiram John
sons raid on the Republican fold.
Believe Victory Beckons.
A month ago Democratic hopes
of victory had sunk below zero.
with definite knowledge of their in
ability to secure Herbert Hoover
as their candidate, Democratic lead
ers threw up their hands. They
said 1t was all over but the mourn
ing.
Today, thanks to Hiram John
son, Democratic spirits are higher
than ever they have been since the
Presidential year daV'ned. Triumph,
they feel, once more beckons.
They believe that the man who
twice before helped defeat the Re-
publican Earty at a national cleo
tion Is again hell bent" in the
same direction
Phelan ms nm Ally.
II johnson beats Hoover in the
California primaries. 1t can be
stated with authority that he will
do so with the aid of Democratic
votes Washington, indeed. hears
circumstantialIy that James ID. Phe-
Ian, Democratic United States SEN
ator from California. is in secret
league with the Johnson forces to
that end ...--.......~,
The high strategy of the situa-
tion. 1t is pointed out, obviously
dictates that Democrats should
leave no stone unturned to make
Hiram Johnson a disturbingly for
midable factor in the Republican
convention Democrats reason that
the stronger Johnson is at Chicago,
the greater will be his disintegrat-
ing influence upon Republican unity.
Democratic leadership thus will
be satisfied either with Johnson's
nomination or with his rebuff at
Chicago.
Considered Easy to Beat.
II nominated. Democrats say he
will be easy to beat, because the
Republican East, essential to sue
cess. to say nothing of the long
memoried Taft and Hughes ele-
ments, viii! never support him.
If Chicago rejects johnson, it is
the deliberate Judgment of many
far-seeing politicians in both par
ties at this hour that 1920 will see
1879 history repeated-that a third
ticket will enter the field, headed
by Johnson, fOmented by Hearst,
and supported by all the radical
elements in the country.
Democrats do not undere stimate
the vote-winning qualities of a
johnson indepe ndent candidacy.
They know it would sap Democratic
strength while making inroads upon
Republican votes. But they profess
confidence Republican losses would
be immeasurably larger and heavy
enough to cause the disastrous de-
feat of the G. o. T. ticket. ANY
good Democrat" they chirp. would
win.
Urged TO BE Insurgent.
Senator johnson is on record as
cheFishing no intention of boiling
the Chicago convention. But it is
notorious in Washington that pow
erful supporters are urging him to
have no truck or trade" with the
Old Guard.
Johnsonites derive immense en-
couragement from Senator Boies
Penrose's announcement that SEN
ator PhiIander g. Knox is the ideal
nominee. 1t indicates plainly to
them that their hero has the Old
Guard on the run. Nor will they
be tempted by Establishments like
a Knox and Johnson" ticket
With Harding deserted by the Old
Guard chieftains and Wood claim
ing even less of their sympathy.
Johnson partissns feel that sur
render or compromise is the last
thing in the world for him to think
Of now.
Meantime Democratic national
leaders are the most enthusiastic
Johnson men in the country
Public Ledger Service