The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-04-03
But Kansas Support of Wood
Uncertain in Pinch.
Generals. Strength PrObIemat-
zeal Since Salina Meet.
ALLEN IS Big CONSIDERATION
Loom Up Strong If Wood Ma
chine Blows Tire.
Rhode Island Strongly in Favor
Of Kansas Governor.
BY A. l. sHULTz.


Wood strength on the Kansas dele
cation has been decidedly problemati-
cal since the Republican state conven-
ton at Salina. Some of the Wood
boosters-particularly a Kansas City
newspaper-have laid claim to every
thing in sight. While the entire dele
cation may consent to give General
Wood a complimentary vote or two. in
= close fight on the floor of the Chi
cago coliseum, it is doubtful If the
army leader would be able to control
more than one half Of the delegation
from this state.
The one big thing in Kansas during
the last few weeks has been genuine
desire of leaders in all factions to aid
Governor Allen. The Kansas governor
is rated as residuary legatee in event
the Wood machine blows tire. For
that reason the Jockeying of Kansas
delegates will be in the interests OF
the governor, who looms as strong
prospect for Wood favors in event
Wood himself cannot win. The exact
strength which General Wood might
receive at the hands Of the Kansas
delegates in event their support would
mean d convention decision is most
uncertain.
Would Be Less Than Half.
Some of the wise dopesters believe
Wood can hold at least ten of the
twenty delegates from Kansas IN line
at ali times. other opinions IRE as
high as eighteen and as low IS six II
seems probable that Woods strength
on a fighting test would be less tnan
half of the delegation rather than a
majority of the vote. Except in three
or four instances the delegates have
not expressed q personal choice. Tne
test as to the convictions or the kan
sas delegates will come, should WOOD
loom as a probable nominee on any
particular ballot so long as tne ran an,
sas vote is merely helping Henry,
there Is, little doubt as to the course
OF ths delegates. 1t is when the dele
CATION might stand in the position or
nominating Wood that a declaration
of personal convictions would be ex-
pected.
EiThteen of the twenty delegates
have been elected. Two delegates are
to be chosen from the Sixth district
when their convention is held in Be-
lott April 81.
East Is Behind Allen.
The swing to Governor Allen as q
presidential possibility is becoming
more pronounced each week. In
review OF the Rhode Island situation In
thu New York Tribune. Carter Field
lists the Kansas governor as one of the
strong probabilities for favorite candi-
date with the down-east voters. rms
situation exists he declares. in the
case of Allen, Hoover and Harding in
spite of the fact that an organized
fight has been made for but one can
didate-General Wood.
Field forecasts an uninstructed dele
cation from Rhode Island. Because
OF this situation, the strength of Allen
in the state will be an asset to the AL |
len boosters, should the nationa! con-
vention fail to make early selection of
A presidential nominee and attention
OF the delegates be directed to selec- |
ton of a dark horse. Field asserts
there is more sentiment for Allen in |
Rhode Island than he has found Tor |
the Kansas governor in any eastern |
state. In his review of down-east pol |
itics, Field said in part;
In contrast to the fact that Harding is
strong, I found more sentiment for Henry |
r. Allen, of Kansas, than is apparent In |
any other eastern state. There is NO or
Rnnfzed fight being made for any candidate
except General Wood, so that the strength |
of Allen, Harding, and OF course, Hoover, |
is manifest without any OF the usual poitti- |
esl machinery to impress this sort OF
strength on the public.
IA one prominent Independent put It
to me, Wood, Harding, Allen or Hoover
running on the Republican ticket, could
carry Rhode Island against any Democrat, |
no matter how strong. Hoover, running on |
the Democratic ticket, would probably de- |
feat any Republican candidate with the
executions OF Wood, Harding and Allen. |
This statement was agreed to by another
prominent Independent, with the exception
that he thought Hoover, on the Democratic |
ticket, would defeat Harding