Evening star., 1920-04-04
PRIMARIES THIS WEEK
SERVE ONLY AS CLUES
Early Indication of Drift Toward Partic-
ular Candidates Not to Be Taken as
Conclusive-Situation Uncertain.

groomers of the dark horses"
who bob up when there is a dead
lock.
All of which is by way of say
ing that the intent of the men
who are taking the lead now is
to minimize as much as possible
the result of pre-convention ac-
tivities of candidates for the nom
ination and 20 present the occa-
sion for fair and full conSidera-
tion of the merits, political assets
and personal availability of the
candidates with a view to choos-
ing a prospective winner"
1t is yet too early to calculate
with any degree of accuracy the
strength Of the candidates now in
the field. The wise man brushes
aside the claims of the rival bu-
reaus of the candidates on general
principles. and the politicians who
ARE in the know merely smile at
some of the claims. because of in
formation as to conditions below
the surface which nullify eXag-
gerated pretensions
Primaries to be held during this
week in several of the states will
serve to further indicate the
general drift of sentiment to-
ward particular candidates, but
they must not be accepted as fore
closing the final result. Some of
the larger states are yet to show,
states whose delegations exercise
commanding influence in national
conventions and without whose
vote nominations cannot be made.
Showing in Primaries.
Wood. Johnson and Lowden are
making the largest showing in
the primary votes for choice of
delegates. Neither one is any
where within reasonable distance
OF a majority of the convention
hardly near enough to it for it to
be seen with the naked eye. 1t is
known to be a fact that some of
the delegations selected at the
primaries are honeycombed with
uncertainties as to their final vote.
There are many of them that
won't stay hitched."
In this situation attention has
been attracted to the strategy of
the Harding campaign. According
to formal announcement by Harry
NJ. Daugherty, who is managing
the Harding boom, Senator Hard
ing has abandoned intention of
contesting in all of the twenty-one
primary states, and will confine his
efforts to Ohio and Indiana. Lack
of funds for legitimate organiza
tion expenses is assigned as the
reason.
Advantages for Harding.
Politicians see at least two ad-
vantages likely to accrue to Sem
ator Harding by this course. For
one thing, If a great furor comes
up. as now seems threatened, over
the excessive use of money in the
preconvention campaign, Senator
Harding can say, "Shake not thy
cory locks dt lie, uIOu nave
red cent" For another, if he sue
ceeds, as now seems altogether
likely, in going to Chicago with
the Ohio and Indiana delegations
practically solid for hint is ex-
pected there will be no more than
four Wood men from Ohio-he will
hold an enviable tactical position.
it is said, in case of deadlock.
1t is argued that any man who
can sit in that convention with
the brood of Ohio and Indiana
under his wing has a pretty good
nest egg, as long as nobody
Shoes them off. Ohio and Indiana
are essential to victory at the
polls. Ohio's and Indiana's votes
in convention, democratic pr re-
publican. are in demand and COM
mand respect. The Harding BOOM
ers expect to have a little better
than a mere Took in at this con-
vention.