Evening star., 1920-02-08
NO INSTRUCTIONS,
PLAN IN MISSOURI
G. o. P, Opposing Wood,
Leans Toward Harding.
View on Johnson.

ST. LOUIS. Mo-, February Z (Spe-
ciaD.-State Chairman Cole, National
Committeeman Babler and other re-
publican leaders in Missouri who are
not ready to pick a preferred candi-
1ate for the nomination for President
are directing the influence of the state
committee toward preventing instruc-
tions at district conventions which Sc
lect delegates to the national conven-
ton.
The first Of these in Missouri was
Wednesday at Montgomery City,
where the ninth district convention
chose James Gill of Montgomery and
Judge R. A Breuer of Hermann for
delegates. and Mrs. w. L. Cole of
Union. wife of the state chairman,
and Mrs. F. o. Spohrer of Warrenton
for alternates.
At the convention Cole insisted that
there should be no instructions on
President and said that it was the
purpose of the organization to dis
courage instructions at all district
conventions and at the state conven-
tion which will pick the four dele
gates at large. The convention was
entirely in the hands of the organi-
cation.
Opposed to Gen. Wood.
The undercurrent Of talk is that the
Missouri organization republicans will
be for either Gov. Lowden or Sena tor
Harding, really preferring the latter.
but the only certainty of their posi-
ton at this time is that they are op-
son unquestionably has gained some
supporters among politicians on his
speaking tour in the third congress
against the league of nations is
pleasing to the party leaders. but they
have not forgiven him for his 1912
and 1915 campaigns and there is lit
tie probability that he will make great
headway in gaining organization sup
port.
Interest in Missouri is largely CEN
tered on the third district, where
both parties are exerting every pos
sible effort to win. The republicans
with John E. Frost as their candi-
date are fighting almost entirely on
the line of opposition to the league
Of nations, while the democrats, with
Capt. J. L. Milligan. are supporting
the league.
League Of Nations ~ Issue.
While the league Of nations is an
issue in the campaign. there are
local issues which are really Of more
controlling influence, and the result
cannot be taken entirely as an indi-
cation Of support or 'non-support Of
the league by the voters. There is a
pronounced republican split in the
district over the activity of E. l..
(Liv) Morse, long known as the re-
publican boss" Of the third. Morse.
it is charged by some republican
county chairmen of the district, DOM
mated the congressional committee
which selected Frost, and had
the committee meeting called in
such a manner that not all COM
mitteemen knew the purpose Of the
The election will be February IA,
and for the remaining week of the
campaign efforts are being made to
have several meetings a day with
speakers of national prominence. The
republicans expected Senator Borah,
Chairman Hays of the national COM
mittee and others, having sent an ap-
peal to the national committee to
rush big guns" into the district.
Vice President Marshall. William j.
Bryan, Gov. Cox Of Ohio, Champ
Clark, Representative Heflin. former
Gov. Dockery, Gov. Gardner. former
Senator Lewis, Senator Owen, Mrs.
Peter Olesen Of Minnesota and Rep
resentative Henry T.. Rainey.
CURTIS A. BETS.