Evening star., 1920-06-04
"Dark Horse" Back
ers Hope to Secure
Vote Delay.
PLATFORM COMES
"UNDER COVER"
Radical Planks Seen;
Likely to Provoke
Contest.
ny n. o. MESSENGER.

ny n. o. MESSENGER.
CHICAGO, June 4.-Three distinct
movements are under way among the
Republican leaders and assembling
delegates:
First. on behalf of the Wood, john
son and Lowden managers TO nolo
every delegate instructed for their
candidate from being won over untli
the test votes are completed;
Second. by the Lowden managers
TO work among the uninstructed dele-
cations for Lowden for first choice
and to continue the efforts to get
pledges for Lowden for second cholce
after their ifavorites may have 1alleo
to land; a..
Third, frantic endeavors oy the
hackers of the several dark norses
10 induce the uninstructed delegates
to scatter their votes, so as to prevent
a decision on early ballots ana give
the convention time to look over tne
6eld" and choose the best man.
This last movement is also partlci-
pated in by men who are not entnus-
iastic for any of the leading candidates
and who want the convention 10 go OUT,
side the list of preferred possibilities and
select a man who might not be subject
to any of the objections raised against
the men now in the lead.
ozark H0rseo Movement.
This is called the dark horse" move
ment and is causing some worry to the
hackers Of active and avowed candi-
dates. Its growth foreshadows, if sue
cessful, many ballots. 2 deadlock and
possible blowing up Of all the principal
candidates. and decision upon an OUT
slider It is the thing feared most by all
the leading candidates. rs they realize
the possibilities OF it. s..
The friends Of the three t0phnefl.
Wood. johnson and xOwden IN
dustriously <deprecate the movement
by pointing ont & the aa1city ct tS. the g
they ask.l"among the dark horses
who has the acquaintance and back
ing Of either Wood, Lowden or john
SOM"
This is the view also Of the old line
political leaders, who are attaching
themselves to one or the other Of the
announced candidates and who do not
take much stock in the proposition
pf beating somebody with nobody.
Insurxent Outbreak.
An insurgent outbreak against the
senatorial leaders is under way. for
warded by Gov. Beeckman Of Rhode
Island, who has circulated the Ques-
fion whether this meeting is eau
Gus of republican senator's or a re-
publican convention" He points out
that the national committee has Sc
lected United States senators to be
temporary and possibly permanent
chairmen of the convention; to be
chairmen of the leading committees
and to write the platform. He sug-
gests that there are several govern
0rs of states among the delegates
and thinks the honors should be dis
tributed.
prophecy is freely made that never
theless and notwithstanding the sena-
torial republicans will continue to
dominate the proceedings of the con-
Vention.
Platform Comes to Town.
The platform-that is, the frame
work of it's in town today, but
and discussed by the elect within
the next two or three days and
opinions solicited as to changes.
Senator Hiram johnson. in inter-
views given out after his arrival
here. stoutly clamors against what
he calls ''pussyfooting" on the league
of nations plank in the platform. It
is predicted that when it is read 1t
will be found to satisfy Senator john
son and conform to his ideas of no
..pussyfooting:" This prediction Is
based upon the fact that the plank
on the league of nations was written
in Washington a fortnight ago and
was read by Senator Johnson. Senator
Moses and other "irreconciiables" and
declared by them to be acceptable.
So Senator Johnson will be quite
able to announce that the platform
makers have agreed to his demands.
Contest on Radical Planks.
The most important contest over the
preparation of the platform will be
over proposed radical planks in it.
These are to be suggested and sup
ported by Mayor Thompson. who will
bring in a minority report, and by
Senator La Follette's delegation.
Thompson's Cook county delegates
end La Follette's Wisconsin men are
expected to vote for Senator johnson
but it is by no means certain that
Senator Johnson will return the IA
vor by supporting ultra radical planks
for the platform. Indeed. as init
mated before many republicans think
that Senator Johnson will be FOUND
in the ranks of the conservatives on
platform declarations His managers
are made to feel every day the senti
ment existing among certain elements
of the party leaders that Senator
johnson is feared to have enlisted tne
following of a radical element In TINS
country, and that Apprehension Il
working to his detriment in his canol'
dacy for the nomination
Coolness to johnson Met.
The Johnson managers are also feel
3ng resentment against the senator
for seemingly profiting at the expense
of his rivals in the senatorial commit
tee testimony. They encounter Ger
tain GOODNESS to the johnson candi
dacy on this account But it is not u
be inferred that Senator Johnson Ii
ostracised by the party leaders a
large, On the contrary. he is beint
made to feel that he is a potentia
factor in this convention. and that
short of being given the nomination
he is as big as any one.
The leaders just cannot see how
Senator Johnson can secure the nomf
nation and that is the position the.
have taken for some time. They can
not figure 1T out nor reason it out b,
any kind of political logic.
Senator Johnsons friends say h,
does not expect to win by politica
logic applied along familiar old-guart
lines, but by being able to convince
the convention that he can carry tn,
country for the republican party i
nominated, and that there is grav'
doubt whether some of the other can
lidates could do so.
AWhy Take . Chanees" Ii Asked.
sWhy take a chance?' the johnson
managers are whispering to the dele
gates who have other uolitical for.