Evening star., 1920-03-14
Johnson CLAIMED
BY YNON-PART|SANS
Californian Now Center OF
Republican Controversy in
North Dakota.

BISMARCK, n. D., Marcn lo tope-
ciaD.-In spite of the fact that Hiram
w. johnson is unopposed in his cam
paisn for North Dakota's indorse-
ment, his candidacy has become an
issue in the presidential preference
primary in this state. This fact may
have important consequences.
The Californian. in spite of himself.
partisan League organization in North
Dakota. The voters. on stationery OF
the Hiram johnson for President
state Progressive Republican Head
quarters" at Farg1, are being as
sured that there is but one Hiram
johnson set of delegates" and that
''in order to further the interests OF
progressive republicanism. these dele
gates must be sent to the national
republican convention at Chicago"
These delegates. Of course. are the
nine men and one woman indorsed by
non-partisans meeting as progressive
republicans in an informal state
convention at Hillsboro, and Endorsed
by the thirty Townley members of
the republican state central commit
tee in their convention here.
Monson Statement.
Voters are assured. in letters which
are signed by Leigh ]. Monson. the
| state manager. whom the league has
voluntarily furnished Senator John
son. that "the delegates named by the
| two 'standpat,' old guard conven-
! tions. which were held at Bismarck.
are unpledged to any one and will, if
elected. go to the national convention
open to the highest bidder" On the
other hand. Mr.. Monson gives assur-
| ance that the delegation of which
! the writer is member will. if elected
go TO Chicago to cast their vote and
| influence for Hiram Johnson"
/ hiram johnson is IRENE ndously pop
ular i'll North Dakota. and this argu-
/ ment. no doubt, will attract votes to
the league ticket. There will be many
voters who will accep: the "state nro-
gressive republican" title at it's face
value. ignoring the fact that the dele
cation adopting this name is COM
posed wholly of Townleyites.
| The league occupies a strategic DO
sition in that it does offer the only
set Of delegates indorsed on a tick ct
| headed by Senator johnson. The first
OF North Dakota's three-state con-
ventions impartially indorsed Wood,
''and others as being worthy candi-
Idates for the favor of their party.
The second convention not only de-
clined to indorse any one. but made
| formal request that in view of the
| unsettled state of North Dakota pol
1
! frain from filing.
| Declined to Withdraw.
! Senator Johnson had already filed
! his nominating petitions, and he de-
! clined to withdraw. Recognizing the
; adv antage of it's position, the third
/ and last of North Dakota's trio of
i Republican conventions indorsed
| johnson and the stand which he had
/ taken in defiance of the last preced-
! ing republican state convention and
! the action of this league republican
state convention was formally rati.
! fed by the republican state central
committee, thirty of whose forty
! nine members are leaguers.
| AS result. when the league re-
] publican ticket was filed, it was head
I ed by the name of Hiram w. Johnson.
/ Only fractions of the other two tick
| cts were filed. and these go on the
! ballot in the Hiram johnson column.
! inasmuch as there is no other repub-
) lican candidate in the running but
| the league, nevertheless, has laid ex-
cellent groundwork for its conten-
/ ton that no other faction has any
| valid claim on Johnson.
{ &. l.. PRICE.