Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-06-06
Man Most Unsuccessful IN
Defeating Himself Likely
to Win, Says One.
COMMOTION IN PARTY
WITHOUT DEFINITE AIM
Some Laud Convention Gathering
as Unbossed-OtLers Lament
Lack of Big Bosses.
BY n. O. MESSENGER.

CHICAGO, ILL.,, June 5.-Probably
the best suggestion that could be
made to the readers is the one
offered by the veteran politicians
to young political writers, working
in this political madhouse here,
namely: Keep steady in the boat
and don't let 'em rock you out"
For just as surely as the sun, while
this dispatch Is written, is sinking in
the murk to the westward. accentu-
ating the cold blue expanse of Lake
Michigan to the eastward. the only
motion perceptible in this situation
in Chicago is that caused by the poll
ticians who are rocking the boat.
Only Drifting. Wabbling.
There is no progress in events. no
going astern to gather fresh head
way. but only drifting. and not even
drifting comfortably. but wabbling
around. Amidst much commotion.
There is plenty of rocking of the
are engaged in 1t. AS one disguised
man put it this afternoon:
Looks as If the man who will win
10 the one who Is most unsuccessful
In defeating himself"
Speaking seriously, however, this is
the way it lines up tonight: The
Lowden forces are still intact, undis-
untoward. confident of holding their
strength through the period Of trying
out, until the crucial ballot is reached
which will determine the Governors
fate. Lowden Is being hammered un-
mercifully. Some Of the hammering
does him more good than harm.
This fact must be borne in mind:
IN the Wood boom goes to pieces. and
the delegates run to cover, Lowden
win get more than johnson. and in
the process ef accretion will always
- Q few laps ahead, by reason Of
having had more In reserve in the
teginning.
PessaBle Eject ON Lowaen.
Ehe one thing which may break the
9Owden position down. and no one in
Chicago tonight knows whether 1t is
going to turn out that way or not,
d for the coming delegates to bring
word that the country is incensed
pver the testimony brought out by
the Senate committee. and that the
feeling is So strong that it threatens
TO AFFECT the party in the elections.
should he be the nominee. In such
event, his position would become un-
tenable.
That IL the way 1t stands tonight.
Picture Lowden intrenched there, with
known political assets available. sub
5ect, however. to their being invali-
dated by unfavorable reports from
the country at large as to the effect
Of the senatorial investigation. The
big men in the party who are back
ang him have not been swayed for an
instant, but even they do not know
at this hour how the country may
have been affected. Senator John
sons hopes continue to rest upon the
expectation of a stampede to him.
He is counting upon his personality.
his own magnetism. his aggressive
ness to start a tidal wave in his
favor which would sweep him to vic
tory. But he knows he is confronted
by q stiY-necked generation of hand
picked old line delegates who are not
easily swayed by emotional outbursts
when their political fortunes and the
future Of the party are at stake.
Echo Of johnson sussestion.
IN
was heard echo Of that insidious sug-
xestion forwarded by the johnson
campaigners. intended for the 'prac-
tical politicians" among the dele
eafes, that johnson can carry the re-
publican ticket to victory. and that
whether they agree with him or not.
he can pull them through" in their
local campaign.
This suggestion. Of course. is based
upon tho promise that he is a natural
born winner. enhanced by the support
he has from certain radical and demo-
cratic quarters. but the promise and
conclusion arc both denied by some
Of the most influential republicans
who win participate in tho conven-
tion.
Looking forward to the possible
hour when the try-out Of the ballots
Anigh4 show Lowden to be impossible
OF further consideration. the hoi polloi
Of tho politicians scan tho field of
alternative candidates. In doing SO
khsy Just wave their telescopes
Around In . circle without focusing
Npon any very commanding figure.
Probably tho most attractive ct the
3aemsnt II that Of Gov. Sproul OF
Fsnsylyania, made more prominen.
Ny tbs apparent collapse OF Senate.
RsnrosSs indueneA. The old lion OF
yhs Keystone state may. by . miracle
Nopss cut hsrs and shake his mane
Vncs more, but It is not expected. Tho
tpiF1t II indomitable. but tho nesh
b reported as mighty weak.
II tho situation docs como around
- the point whore sofns one other
than tho candidates now in tho lead
Is 10 be considered. Gov. Sproul will
pc found In the front rank Of those
3anAsS appfaossment. Tho only draw
pack II that while Psnnsylvania's vote
u yexX ssssntial TO nomination, the
: 6satlnasd % Fags 8 Column y.