The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-05-01
week FOR
SENATOR JOHNSON
Maryland Primary Real Crisis In 1ass'
Straight Fight There VITA the
Forces Of 9Snsral WOOD
BY MARK SULLIVAN.

BY MARK SULLIVAN.
Copyright. 1920. by Y. Eve, Post, lnc')
WASHINGTON, April so.-Without
going too far so soon after the event 1t
is at least worth while to consider
whether the results Of the primaries
last Tuesday have not ;su compIereiS
1t may even yet be little early 70
draw too strong conclusions about the
political showing made by Harding IN
his home state, but 1t Is hard to escape
the conclusion that the result OF the
Ohio primaries will be to make the old
guard element Of the Republican parry
abandon Harding and concentrate lts
strength behind Lowden.
In the first place, It Is now clear that
is on the side Of the old Roosevelt or
progressive faction. That faction ls
represented in the preliminary race by
both Wood and johnson, ana II Is
matter of mathematics that these two
between them have q larger foii9Ting
lthan the two others, Lowden and Hard
ing. ,..,.
against this powerful progressive rae
ton, 1t must concentrate its stIens.n
the old progressive factsHn has the bulk
Of the votes and Is in a Position to dic.
tate the nomination, provided only tnat
1t Is cohesive.
L
unite behind either Wood or johnson IL
could win. In the alternative that the
old progressive crowd cannot unite DC.
hind either Wood or johnson because or
the bitterness that has developed De,
tween the followers Of these two, then
IL still remains true that II the progress
siye faction could unite behind some
third progressive 1t could probably WIN:
Under these circumstances. the ola
guard element Of the party must quick
concentrate
strength. Senator Johnson's showing
in New Jersey this week was little less
than sensational and without any doubt
materially elevates his status as a can
didate. He has shown for the first time
that he can get votes In the east.
Fatsful for johnson.
Senator Johnson now faces the most
fateful week Of his campaign. On Mon.
day he contends with Wood in Maryland
and Maryland furnishes him with his
last chance to demonstrate that he can
get votes in the east From Johnson's
point Of view that is all-important. HIS
strength in the middle west and west
Is unquestionahie. He has demon
handicap. But Senator Johnson knows,
and everybody else must know, that no
cannot be nominated, nor even come
close to the nomination. with western
backing alone. He must show that he
can get votes in the east
Not only is The Maryland contest on
Monday important to him in this re-
spect. In addition 1t is another example
OF what he welcomes-namely.
straight-out contest between himself
and Wood. uncomplicated by other can
didates. The initial hope and motive OF
Johnson's campaign has been to con-
tend with Wood for the Roosevelt man
tie; to prove that he and not Wood Is
the true heir to the Roosevelt following.
Wherever q situation permits him to
fight a clean-cut battle against Wood,
unmodified by other candidates, he well
comes 1t. The outcome in Maryland will
be of great Importance to him.
The next day. Tuesday, May 4. Is for
johnson the most decisive day OF the
campaign. On that day come the Cali
fornia primaries. II johnson should
lose his home state It would deprive him
has 30 laboriously built up. Tho -
there iS clean-cut one betKnes
aad Hoover. Betora