Evening star., 1920-03-17
WOOD SUPPORTERS
MUCH HEARTENED
BY RECENT EVENTS
Opponents Thought They Had
Him "Stopped," But Find
He Only ''Paused."
BY N. o. MESSENGER.

He Only "Paused."
BY N. o. MESSENGER.
Gen. Leonard Wood has his second
wind" the politicians are saying to one
another. A while back they had him
stopped: now they say he only
paused. and is on the track again. 60
ing strong. The result of the primaries
in Minnesota has been wonderful
heartener to the Wood supporters and
is causing the friends of other candi-
dates to sit up and take notice.
The old-time politicians at the Capt.
tol say that the Wood campaign is be-
ing conducted in the only way it could
be. in the circumstances. and the re-
suits follow form. He is going to Chi
cago with group of delegates, selected
to favor his candidacy to the end. He
will have definite political entity,
something that can be counted, tabu-
lated and totaled
States which send these delegates are
for Wood. for President Other states
will send delegations which are not COM
mitted to any candidate. Among them
will be delegates who prefer this or that
individual now an admitted candidate
or some one whose name may be pre-
sented hereafter. Then there will be
avowed johnson delegates Lowden dele
gates. Harding delegates and Poindexter
delegates Each Of these will have
friends in the uninstructed delegations,
rs well.
But, while nightly encouraged by
the early spring signs. the Wood man
ayers are not unmindful of the posi-
hilities Of frost. The returns thus tar
are good. but they recall the old say
spring." Moreover. these DELEGATES
are c6tnin9 FROM states which hereto
fore have not been decisive In the
The big question Is whether the pri-
mary showing in Minnesota and the
west is safe forecast Of sentiment to
prevail In New York, Pennsylvania,
Ohio. Indiana. Iowa and Michigan.
The politicians are looking forward
with exceeding interest to the pri-
maries in Michigan April 5. which are
expected to furnish a very instructive
test Of popular feeling. Michigan was
one OF the strongest Roosevelt states,
strength throughout the country is
the support of the old progressive ele-
ment.
Michigan is described as being badly
split over Gen. Wood, however. MANY
OF the old Roosevelt men have left the
made inroads on the Wood support,
and Senator Poindexter will make a
try Tor a share, while the Lowden peo-
pie are busy. If Gen. Wood should
clean them all up" as former Sena-
tor William Alden Smith predicts he
will. the result would be regarded as
significant of conditions in other
states.
Make Claims Worth While.
The aim and object of the Wood
! campaigners is to go to Chicago with
such formidable array of delegates
! that the old-line political managers
the president makers" Of yester-
year. will have to do business with
them. The popular expression amonr
| politicians is that the states whare
Gen. Woods strength is supposed Ia
be greatest do not nominate Presi-
dents. Every day one will hear the
remark: Wait until we see what New
York. Pennsylvania. Indiana, Ohio and
Illinois want, and we will see what is
likely to be done" .
The Wood managers are thorough
ly cognizant of this situation and OF
the preponderating influence Of +he
states mentioned in any nominatine
convention and feel that their plav
Is to come to the convention with
such an array Of delegates from states
at large as to make it worth while for
the ffesloent makers to consider Their
claims.
i Gen. Wood is not expected to have
commanding strength in New York
or Pennsylvania, nor in Illinois. but
his managers are fighting desperately
to bring delegates from such Other
president making" states as Ohio
and Indiana. In both these states q
contest of unexampled vigor is un.
der way.
The old-line leaders in Indiana, in.
cluding Senators New and Watson
and the machine organization are be-
lieved to be opposed to Gen. Woods
candidacy. while the most Influential
newspaper in the state is advocating
it. believing that the rank and file OF
| the strong progressive element in
the state favors it.
/ In Ohio the Wood managers are
making desperate efforts to break into
the Harding strength, holding that il
Senator Harding cannot go to Chicag
with a solid delegation from his own
state the other "President makers
will look askance at him.
! In Iowa. another potential state in
candidate naming contests. Gen. Wood
is said to be. far from assured al
carrying the state.
, Massachusetts and possibly Maine
along with New Hampshire. are ex.
pected to favor Gen. Wood. New
Jersey is still debatable ground. al.
though the Wood men claim the lead
The situation is expected by old.
line politicians at the Capitol +,
change from week to week as tn.
various states declare through nri
maries or by state conventions 70,
candidates or to remain unpledRed. a,
in the case of the New York delepa
tion. But for the day the Woor
people are in high spirits and inteni
upon pushing the advantage thus IA,
gained to the utmost