The Washington times., 1920-04-20
NEBRASKA FARMERS
LEAN TO JOHNSON
Observers Say Pershlng's ANA
teur Managers Had Too Big
a aHndloap to Beat.

Gen. John j. PershinE Is getting his
nrst try-out as a yote-g getter In Ne
braska today, where he 10 entered In
the Republican primary, having as
his opponents Senator Hiram john
son OF California and Maj. Gen.
Leonard Wood.
Information from Nebraska today
has IL that Senator johnson is the
most likely victor In the three-cor-
nered race. Johnson's victory In
Michigan, the heavy vote cast for him
date. and his whirlwind speaking tour
through Nebraska are said to have
turned the tide in his favor.
General Pershing contented himself
with an announcement that he would
accept the Republican nomination IL
rendered him, and did not raise
hand to bring himself a vote In the
State of his adoption.
Observers at the Capitol said that
IL Pershing by any chance were to
win Nebraska In the sort OF campaign
come a formidable candidate for the
Republican nomination. On the other
hand, II he makes a good showing and
loses he will still loom large as a
dark horse candidate.
At any rate, the Nebraska primary
will be watched with more interest
than any held heretofore. Johnson's
strength In Nebraska lies in the rural
districts and with labor in Omaha.
The on-Partisan League, having
membership OF 10000 farmers In Ne
braska and controlling $4,000 farmer
votes. Is said to be solidly for John
son. He will also run strong with
labor and will have the solid vote of
the opposition to the league of ma
tions.
The combination Is one that Perish
ing's business man, non-league farmer
vote, women and service mems sup
port will md IL difficult to overcome.
Johnson will also get the vote OF the
men and women opposed to a military
candidate, as both OF his opponents
are high army officers OF the regular
establishment.
1t is estimated that at least $780,
900 has been spent by hackers of Gem
eral Wood to carry the State for him.
Plans were laid for Woods campaign
there before Pershing returned to this
country, and the State was well or
ganized by the Wood forces. In
Douglas county, in which Omaha is
located, the business element is for
Wood, because of his handling of the
riot situation there last summer, and
he has the party organization with
him.
In the light Of these things. politi-
cal wise men in Washington say that
the lineup in Nebraska 10 such that
Pershing could be expected to run a
better race in most any other State.
The Pershing support has not been
well organised. His hackers are bust
ness men and have never before en-
gagged in politics. and they have
found difficulty In eradicating the
general belief that Pershing, while he
would accept the office, had rather
allow his place In history to rest
upon his achievements as the general
| commanding the only American army
| which never lost a battle and upon
his record as the business admins
| traitor Of the A. e. F.
There 10 no gainsaying Pershing's 8
popularity in Nebraska, but II he can
win the plurality Of the votes there
under existing political conditions he
| will have accomplished what now
looks like the impossible, political OBJ
servers at the Capitol say.
Anyway, the Western farming State
is in the limelight, because il is
Pershing's first test as a vote-getter,
and should he pull up close to John
son in today's balloting his shadow
will loom menacingly in the dreams
of active candidates at Chicago.