The Washington herald., 1920-02-16
POLITICAL LEAD
TAKEN BYG. O.P.
in MIDDLE WEST
Lowden and Wood Boom
ers Hold Attention of
Prairie States.
INVADE NEW YORK
Supporters Of Illinois Gov
ernor Expect Real Issue
With Harding.
By n stan Correspondent.

Chicago, Feb. 15.-Political ma
neuvers in the Central West are
at present rs per cent Republican.
The remaining 25 per cent belongs
to the women's section of, the DEM
ocratic party, which apparently is
the only live force in the rival or
ganization. Attorney General A.
Mitchell Palmer created a mild stir
here while spending a few hours in
the city, but his practical disclaim-
er of any design on the Demo-
cratic nomination dampened the
enthusiasm of the faithful. His at
titude was taken to indicate that
Democratic aspirants for White
House honors will remain quiescent
until President Wilson gives some
indication as to his own personal
relation with the future interests
of the party.
The preconvention campaign in
the prairie States is practically con-
fined to the activities of the Low
den and Wood boomers. Managers
of each claim everything and con-
cede nothing. The result of the
Oklahoma State convention is con-
sidered by many as showing the
recession of the Wood movement,
but no one can get that impress
sion in talking with Col. William
&c. Proctor, who is conducting the
generals campaign. Col. Proctor
points to gains in every direction.
and he maintains that uninstructed
delegations, as was the case in
Oklahoma, suit his committee as
we'll as IL instructions were down
in black and white for his candi-
dates.
Wood Forces Issue.
1t is a study in political science
to compare the activities of the
two committees. As becomes man
on horseback, the Wood manage
ment is forcing the issue on every
hand. Just now 1t is contemplating
throwing down the gage of battle
to the governor of Illinois in his
own State. This will be decided
next week, and no one would be
surprised were Woods name to go
on the primary ballot April 10.
Gen. Wood will also invade SEN
ator Harding's preserves, although
he will not present a slate of dele
gates. He will simply permit the
Ohio voters to express their pref
erence, and il he should run a good
second he will naturally claim the
delegation in the convention should
Senator Harding fail of nomination.
These tactics will be observed in
other States, although an out-and-
out fight will be conducted in the
States where no favorite sons hg-
ure. Gossip among Republican
leaders is to the effect that the
Wood management will even in
wade New York, seeking to obtain
an instructed delegation.
In Michigan no holds will be
barred between the candidates, and
the same will hold true in Indiana.
At present Wood partisans claim
that the general is leading Ne
braska, Kansas and Minnesota. not
to mention North Dakota, Colorado,
South Dakota and Oregon. There
is no intention just now to pick a
Inhnann in CALI
fornia unless the progressive Sena-
tor should invade some of Woods
own sacred precincts.
Fight Shy of wisconsin.
On account of the peculiar situa-
ton in Wisconsin all Republican
candidates have so far fought shy
of that State. There is the usual
battle on in that bailiwick between
Senator La Follette's followers and
the stalwarts. a legacy from the
early days of La Follette's career.
Senator Lenroot is trying to steer
clear of entangling alliances which
he may or may not be able to do,
as he expects to be reelected Sena-
tor, while Governor Phillips would
not be adverse to becoming Vice
Presidential candidate. Wood claims
TO have a sure lead in Minnesota,
but there again the nonpartisan
party has muddled the political
waters. That Townley might be
strong enough to dictate the Repub-
lican State ticket would not be sur
prising, in which case there would
be a merry mix-up in the Presiden-
tial field.
1t is no secret in the Lowden camp
CnNTTNTrEn ON PAGE TWO.