The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-03
CalifOrnian's Bonfire at Chicago
at Lowden's Expense.
Party Machine Begins to
Smooth Out for Convention.
WOOD HOLDS HIS LEAD
Dopesters Declare No Choice
Until Fifth Ballot.
Claim That Wood, Lowden and
Johnson Are Out Of

Chicago. June s.-The political
thermometer was beginning to show
the wear and tear today of its recent
wild fluctuations.
After watching its antics for several
days and sensing the undercurrents OF
sentiment that have been responsible
for the sudden changes in tempera-
ture of booms for the Republican
presidential nomination, political OBJ
servers today were developing symp-
toms of brain fag and eye strain
Now Senator Hiram johnson is fig
uratively riding the crest of a tidal
wave of suddenly developed strength
| that his supporters aver will carry
him into victory by the fifth ballot.
A few days ago it was Governor Low
den who was leading the procession
! as regards popular sentiment in con-
vention circles and antedating him a
brief period was Maj. Gen. Leonard
All Leaders "Out of It.y
A large part of the present john
son bonfire seems to have been kim
died at the expense of LoWden. Then.
: there is that eversgrowing feeling that
the Californian possesses veto pow
er" over the convention. Another pos
sible factor is the admitted strength
of johnson as spectacular cam
pafgner. and an opportunity will be
| furnished him to parade this at a
meeting the night before the conven-
! tion opens.
| Many practical politicians frankly
are of the opinion that all the present
strong candidates are getting their
/ feet Wet in the senatorial investiga-
| ton of campaign funds and that the
| Republican party will have to nomi-
| nate a man who has not figured in the
pre-eonvention fireworks. This, they
say, enhances the chances of such men
as Senator Knox, Herbert Hoover.
Governor Coolidge and Governor
Sproul.
Claim Hoover on Fifth Ballot.
Supporters of Herbert Hoover. Dow
4 ernor Coolidge, Senator Poindexter.
Senator Harding and Nicholas NJ. But
Ter put in bids today for the nomina-
tion on the fifth ballot.
j They reasoned that a combination
of Wood, johnson or Lowden forces
was impossible, pointing to the hard
fought primaries and sentiment there
in aroused as prohibiting any lineup
among these candidates.
There's not "favorite son" candi-
date for president this year. campaign
managers declared. Admitting they
have little chance for success on the
first few ballots, supporters of Poin-
dexter, Harding, Coolidge, Hoover and
Butler today said their delegates
| would remain loyal until the nomina-
ton was made, anticipating a dead
lock of the three favorites and hop
ing to start a stampede.
Wood Holds the Lead.
The entrance of Jacob Hamon of
Oklahoma in the race for the nomfna-
ton has resulted in further distribu-
ton of the delegates. According to
the best obtainable information, the
vote on the initial ballot exclusive OF
the SO contests yet to be decided,
might be: Wood. 241; Lowden, 174;
| Ts.t@ T1rTtf
Governor Sproul, rs: Senator Harding,
as; Governor Coolidge. 20; Senator
Sutherland, 16; Senator Poindexter.
Id; Hamon. IL; Judgf Pritchard. s.
, This relative standing is subject to
daily fluctuations as the result of de-
cisions in contests. political maneuver-
ing. and-to accept the word of sew
eral veteran politicians-the sensa-
ltional testimony at the senatorial in
vestigation in Washington of campaign
expenditures.
: witM Major General Wood actively
in charge of hiS own battle, last min
, ute touches were being added to his
: preparations. Managers were IN
hourly conferences.
Senator Johnson's headquarters
, completed plans for his arrival today
: after which he will direct his own
|, fight. He will confer with supporters
! and managers Immediately upon mis-
! arrival and arrange final battle liress
affairs today from his room in the
? Blackstone hotel where he was con-
/ fined with cold. Physicians attend
ing indicated he would be active after
tomorrow.
Missing candidates were due to ar-
rive before the weekend. Nicholas
NJ. Butler was scheduled to reach here
Saturday, Senator Poind exter Friday.
Governor Coolidge. and Senator Hard
ing, either Friday or Saturday.
Hoover will not attend the pre-con-
: vention scramble according to word
4 at his headquarters.
:. Platform ITO BE Sacrcd:s'
The Republican platform. Chairman
s Hays of the national committee de-
r clared in a statement today. will be Q
e sacred contractua1 oblig- tion be-
r tween the party and the people"
: Full opportunity for hearings be-
d fore the resolutions committee. Mr.
Hays said, will be accorded in all par
!. tinent subjects.
n The platform will deal. of course.
: with the great fundamentals, said
Mr.. Hays.
e Arrangements to hear represented
c turaf interests already have been
IS made and MIR. Hays is distributing
--oluminous information compiled By
{ the Republican committee on platform
and policies.
= Governor Alien to Lead OFF.
/" There viii be five and possibly sin
seconding speeches following tns
II nominating of General Wood by Gov.
Henry J. Allen of Kansas, but none OF
If them will last more than five or SIX
n ,,nir,attes acrordfrx. to the statement o.