Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-06-11

BY the Associated Press.
CHICAGO. June 11.-Animosities OF
the platform battle swept away by the
roar of affirmation which wrote the re-
publican creed of 1920 into history, dele
gates to the national convention gath
cred early today to fulfill their CHIEF
duty and name a presidential candidate
Who would receive this highest honor
in the party's gift was as much on the
lab Of the gods as ever. Field marshals
for the big three'-Wood. johnson and
Lowden-expressed confidence. They
made no specific claims to more than
the votes pledged to their candidates by
primary action.
The balance of power still lay with the
more than 500 uninstructed delegates.
Despite days of missionary work among
them. lieutenants of the leading candi-
dates had learned little OF their state OF
mind II remained for the first ballot
to reveal any decisive drift of sentiment
among the rank and file of the party
Holds Early Morning Session.
First on the program came the nomi-
mating speeches To get these swiftly
out of the way. the convention met at
O'Clock instead of IL. as on previous
days. Further steps toward short cir
cutting useless and often tiresome ora
tory were taken in connection with sec
onding speeches.
Under the rule adopted each candi-
date may be seconded in two hve-min-
ute addresses. He may have as many
seconders as he likes. but IL ne elects to
have more than two. none Of those who
speak for him may talk more than two
minutes.
Under this ruthless curb on eu1ogists
the first ballot should be reached by
midafternoon. Indications are that II
will show the instructed strength OF the
major candidates lined up virtually SOL
idly as the mandates the instructed del
egations carry direct.
VIII Develop .Favorite Son" Votes.
1t will bring out, too. the full ia
vorite son" strength. already discount
ed by the announced purpose OF var1-
Gus delegations to thus compliment q
man of their own state allegiance. II
will formally enter a whole string OF
sdark horses in the race; but the
evershadowing interest in this first
direct step toward the nomination lies
in what it may disclose as to cur
rent among the uninstructed toward
one Of the big three to supplement his
instructed strength.
with the first ballot recorded and
its half and quarter votes tabulated.
workers for the various candidates
will have material on which to work
intelligently. On the next vote IA
Vorite son strength will begin to dis
appear. the delegations. their duty Of
courtegy done. being free to join in the
fight on candidates possible OF nomi-
nation. Then will begin the round of
quick floor conferences. the trading
and dickering that oils the wheels Of
a political convention toward the ul-
innate choice.
The second ballot is certain to show
some changes, always providing that
the wholly unexpected development Of
a nomination on the first ballot has not
made further voting unnecessary.
From the second on, step by step.
strength of the leading candidates
maybe expected to wax or wane eth
er until a deadlock occurs or one of the
trio energies as master of the situa-
tion.f
DARK Horses Product of Deadl0cks.
Dark-horse movements spring out of
deadlocks. Up to the time the conven-
ton assembled today there was every
indication that a triangular deadlock
would be shown on the first counting
of noses. For that reason dark-horse
promoters had been busy through the
night. planning and working In order
to be prepared to attempt a coup
when an opportunity came.
Out Of these activities and also of
the vigorous maneuvering of leaders
and lieutenants of the leading candi-
dates came a new crop of reports over
night.
Wood supporters affirmed that he
on the first ballot. Some placed ii at
$50. and it requires 4s3 to nominate.
Previous Wood claims had not ex-
ceeded ESQ. The source Of the expect