Omaha daily bee., 1920-07-21
Leaders Determine s'&sssS,
Action, A|tho4t;s > - .oner
Advises /; g $ ~ entering
Field in ComiS' election.
ONLY PERSONAL WORD
WILL AVERT STAMPEDE
Telegram Sent to Inform
Bryan Of Intentions
Friends Say He Would Re-
fuse Nomination if Offered.

Lincoln, Neb., July 20--Leaders
i'll various delegations to the prohibi-
ton national convention tonight de-
clared they will go into their first
session tomorrow determined to
name William Jennings Bryan as
their presidential nominee despite
the fact that they have received word
indirectly from Mr.. Bryan that he
does not want the nomination and
does not consider it advisable for
the party to place ticket in the
field for the coming election.
The only thing that can avert an
attempt by large group of dele
gates to stampede the convention
for Bryan and name him by accla-
nation is for the Nebraskan himself
to send word that he positively will
not accept the nomination, accord
ing to many state leaders. A telc-
gram was sent to Mr.. Bryan today
informing him that unless such a
statement is forthcoming his sup
porters will attempt to carry out
their plans OF placing him before the
people on the dryest platform that
can be framed.
Several Conferences.
The decision to attempt to force
the nomination on Mr.. Bryan was
made late today after several sec
ret conferences of national commit
teemen. delegates and friends of Mr..
Bryan here.
Yesterday the delegates appeared
certain that Mr.. Bryan would ac-
cept. Today group of national
committeeman were called into con-
ference by Bryan's friends here and
confidcntially informed that the Ne
braskan did not want the nomina-
ton and that he did not want the
convention to nominate any one, but
merely to lay plans for work i'll var
ious congressional districts and To-
cal campaigns
The prohibitionists were told that
Mr.. Bryan felt he could carry only
scattered districts in an election.
Consequently, the Bryan boom
died down and the booms of several
other candidates assumed larger pro-
portions. Late today, however, ad-
ditional secret conferences were held
and the decision made to let Mr..
Bryan know that the only way he
could avoid being nominated would
be to send direct word to the con-
vcntion.
Polling Is Strong.
The lapse in the Bryan boom dur
ing the carly hours today revealed
that Dan A. Polling of New York.
acting international president of the
Christian Endeavor will have con-
siderable strength. as many delega-
tions announced him as their sec
ond choice. Bryan being first.
Besides the usual dry planks, the
platform committee will have before
it proposed planks on several sched-
ules. Among these will be planks
advocating public ownership of rail-
roads and public utilities. world
tribunal to settle international dis
putcs, friendly cooperation with
Mexico rather than hostile inter-
ference" federal anti-lynching laws
and one dealing with labor problems.
Warren G. Stone, grand chief of
the order of Railway Engineers has
prepared a labor plank which will
be presented to the committee. An
anti-tobacco plank to be proposed
by a Colorado delegate is not like
ly TO receive serious consideration
according to national committee
men.
Name Women, Too.
The national committee today
voted to recommend to the conven-
tion that in future each state name
one man and woman as members of
the party's national committee.
The meeting was open to all and
score of delegates spoke during the
two-hour discussion of the question.
The proposal introduced by Rob-
ert Patton, Illinois state chairman,
was attacked by B. E. P. Prugh
Pennsylvania state chairman of the
party, and by G. W. Dean of Wis
consin. Dean asserted that the par
ty had no women members i'll Wis
consin who were suitable for men,
bership on the national committee.
Ida B. Wise-Smith Of Cedar Rap
ids, Ia. president of the Iowa w.
c. T. u. then appealed to the com-
mittee not to deny equal rights to
women and after her talk the COM
>mittee voted unanimously for Pat
tons motion.