New-York tribune., 1920-06-01
Political Leaders Greatly
Interested in Outcome
of Generals Confer
ence With Ex-Manager
Old Cuard' Absent
As Contests Begin
For First Time i'm His.
tory of Party Delegate
Hearings Are Public


Hearings Are Public
By Carter Field
CHICAGO, May 31.-With strong
hope of smoothing out all discord-
ant elements in his organization
Major General Leonard Wood ar
rived In Chicago to-day, flushed with
what he regards as a successful in
vasion of the solid South in his trip
North Carolina. He at once
took personal charge of the fight be-
ing made in his behalf.
The general conferred with his
general manager. Colonel William
Cooper Proctor, this afternoon, and
will confer with Frank H. Hitchcock
tomorrow morning. Efforts are be-
ing made to bring John T. King, who
was manager for the general until
early in January. when the break
came, in conference with the general
tomorrow. Although nothing is ex-
pected to come Of this conference. the
political leaders are watching it with
the greatest interest because of its
possibilities.
Would Cinch Nomination
Reconciliation between Wood and
King would mean, in the opinion of
many leaders, the nomination of
Wood beyond the shadow Of a doubt.
II Hitchcock can be held in lire and
at the same time King can be won
back it is admitted here that Wood
would be in striking distance of the
nomination on the second or third
ballot.
III talking with friends. General
Wood expressed the view that his chief
competitor for the nomination Is
Senator Johnson. When repeated this
view astounded most Of the politicians
who' after much consultation in the
lobbes and rooms of the hotels. feel
that Governor Lowden, of Illinois. is
the real man for the general to fear.
General Wood waved aside tn.
rumors Of renewed friction in his
camp.
Aids Working in Harmony
II talked at length with Colonel
Proctor this afternoon" he said and
will talk with Mr. Hitchcock tomorrow
Iney are working together as well IS
any two men could. am very much
pleased with my trip through North
Carolina The receptions were enthus-
lastic and encouraging"
The report that the general would
confer with John T King came out late
tonight in such a fashion as TO leave
TO doubts that efforts were being made
III this direction by some of those who
sincerely desire the nomination Of the
general.
Mr.. Hitchcock. it is understood, will
insist in his conference with the gen
eral tomorrow that Colonel Procter's
activities be restricted 70 the Leonard
Wood League and the handling of the
delegates be given % Mr.. Hitchcock
This means, Of course, that Hitchcock
would become practical political man
ager for Wood. while Proctor would be
fighting for public sentiment for the
general without any particular concern
as to the delegates.
Hitchcock To Be Reckoned With
The situation seems to be that Hitch
cock has a number OF Southern dele
cations, large enough to be impressive.
who are actually committed not to any
particular candidate but 10 Hitchcock
So that the former Postmaster Gen
eral would be able to swing them to
some other candidate in the event of
a break with Wood That is the point
which causes such a concentration Of
interest in the conference tomorrow
between the general and Hitc9cocG
John T. King, whose bresk with
General Wood was followed iu-raedi-
ately by dessertions from the general
of several important Middle We dele
cations which King had lined %, is
regarded as representing Senate Roles
Penrose. While no one thinks tha Mr.
Penrose will be able to come . Chi
cago to the convention, despite as OF
timistic reports from Phladelr ia, Il
IS generally recognized that the Pen
rose influence is still potent 18th a
large number of delegates. There
fore. if General Wood and King should
become reconciled, it would follow. &C
CofuinB 10 lHe IOglc acre tnat the 0l1-
ferences between Penrose and Wool
would be snoothed out This would
mean. OF course, change from po-
sltlon Of hostility on Penrose's part
tc one of willingness TO accept Wood.
Lowden Believed Gaining
The impression among many polti-
clans here however, is that Governor
Lowden has been gaining strength
One warm Lowden adherent, who ar
rived to- day. said -a9e OF the Nav
Jersey delegates would SWING l. s.s~-
den if it was once demonstrated that
Wood could not be nominated He
said potent influences were working in
the New York delegation for Lowden,
including such men as Representative
Bertrand H. Smell. of Potsdam, and
Homer P. Snyder, both Of whsm are
delegates.
The Lowden people are plainly wor-
ried by the talk of Senator Knox be.
ing the compromise candidate. Thev
say the New York delegation can never
go to Knox without repudiatinr the
-.'osition taken on the peace treaty nv
= 9th New York Senators, WadswoytS
lad Calder, who voted for the treatr
with the Lodge reservations. In ADA;
ton, they point out that the New, Yorl
State Republican delegation, in formal