The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-09

l. ILL l. VI LIZA
son organization TO move over into the
Allen camp. The governors close as
ISOLATION with the Wood crowd and
the fact that he is to place the army
leader in nomination makes him easily
accessible to the Wood delegates in
event they cannot win with their first
choice.
But that isn't all. Allen came into
the Hmelight with his industrial court
act and can command votes which will
go neither to Wood nor to johnson on
the early roll calls. Most of these del
egates represent the old rock ribbed
stand pat constituency from down
east and in practically every instance
are removed from Wood and johnson
Jurisdiction. The Kansas governor,
tho. may be able to walk into the
meeting with these votes in event of a
deadlock.
Situation Is PerplexIng.
With the first ballot only a little
more than one day away, the conven-
ton situation is the most perplexing
that has confronted the Republican
party since the nomination of Gar
field. Delegates are now carefully
looking over the dark horses-Allen,
Sproul. Coolidge, Hughes and a few
others far less possible.
One New York newspaper man has
looked over the field and predicts that
the convention will make its selection
from the reserve stable. He picks
Allen. Sproul and Hughes as the pos
sibilities and somewhat in the order
named.
The Wood and johnson crowd
seemingly have a fair chance for con-
troll of a majority of delegation
strength in the convention. Yet there
will ever consent TO throw his strength
to Wood. And it is almost equally
doubtful that Wood could be expected
to walk into the johnson camp. Each,
tho, would accept Allen il they them
selves could not win.
After Third Ballot, Then Allen.
After the third ballot it is believed
there will be votes for Allen from
practically every big delegation in the
convention. New York, Pennsylvania,
New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachu-
sets, Vermont and other states are
said to have indicated that in the big
smashup they will scatter a few votes
along the pathway of the Kansas ex-
ecutive. 1t may lead to Aliens noml-
nation-not probable, but possible.
And in the wild scramble and mad
house milling, one guess is just as
good as another. The delegate from
Four Roads may be a prophet tomor-
row. Today the wise men admit they
know nothing as to the outcome.
Governor Allen made a little trip to
the johnson head9uarters-on the
same floor of the Auditorium hotel
with the Kansas headquarters. But
| the governor explained that 1t was
inst a friendly call to shake hands.
He denied he had talked politics with
| the California senator.
Repeatedly the governor has re-
fused to discuss his own chances. he
has reiterated statements that ne
wants his loyalty to Wood true and
| -. -,,.Dici0ps In consequence he
has been in no position TO enter into
the milling for delegates or to con-
slider proposals which are now being
made in efforts to find solution 10
the impending convention tangle:
Every news writer and pol1tical
dopester and every delegation no"
seemingly recognizes the Kansas gov
ernor as a probability or at least
strong possibility in event the conven-
+ion cannot reach an early decision.
His development of strength may not
come. tho, until the fourth or fifth
ballot.
At present It looks as tho the Low
den forces hope to land the Illinois
governor on the sixth. seventh or
eighth ballot. They hope to pick up
strength after the first ballot and to
register gains on each succeeding roll
call.
It also appears that Wood must win
an early decision if he is to have first
place on the ticket. Once he begins to
slip-if he does begin to slip-the pos
sibilities of Henry J. Allen of Kansas
begin to develop.
johnson doesn't look big at this
time He has noise, extensive quar-
ters, much literature but only enough
delegates to seemingly put him in third
place at the start. There IS nothing
to indiAlte a combination which would
make johnson, since Wood and john
son formed bitter enmities in the pre-
convention primaries and conventions.
Wood stands almost as near the bot
tom of the slate as Lowden and Hard
ing. He entered their state primaries
IN violation of the unwritten favorite
son law.
Neither Lowden or Harding are
anxious to shower to Wood. But they
| might get together on Allen, particu-
the swing. Governor Sprouts posi-
ton with his big Pennsylvania dele
CATION behind him and the influence
of the PenroSe organization, makes
him perhaps as favorable dark horse
as Allen. Hughes seemingly looms
only in event the deadlock holds be-
yond try-outs for the Kansas and
Pennsylvania governors.
With the ringing of the bell only a
few hours away, Governor Allen has
not only gone thru the pre-conyention
milling without losing strength, but
has developed until he now holds place
with the favorites. The result will de-
pend on the course of the convention
and the smart politics which is played
| in floor management and leadership.