Evening star., 1920-01-04
COOLIDGE SITTING
TIGHT IN BAY STATE
His Dec|ination of Vice Presi.
dency Support in South
Dakota StartIes.

BOSTON, January (SpeclaD.-
Gov. Coolidge's declination of the
South Dakota nomination for the
vice presidency rather startled the
republican politicians, and for this
reason: They have believed that Gov.
Coolidge could have the second place
on the ticket simply by nodding his
head affirmatively.
One reason for this belief has been
the fact that Lowden's friends sew
eral weeks ago came out for a Low
den and Coolidge ticket. Poindexter's s
manager countered on the Lowden
an avowed candidate for the first
place they would not contest for
delegates in Massachusetts; and, fur
thermore, that they would not think
of insulting Coolidge by trying to tie
him up as a tail for the Poindexter
kite.
There has been a feeling among the
republican politicians that in case the
anti-Wood men throughout the coun-
try should succeed in defeating Wood
for the nomination, the opposition
was most likely to unite on a Hard
ing and Coolidge ticket. Others, how
ever, have believed that LoWden
and Coolidge ticket would be more
likely to be the winning one. on the
ground that Lowden, although gen.
orally known as a conservative, was
not so reactionary as Harding, ana
that therefore he could secure more
of the old Roosevelt strength than
could the Ohio senator.
Plans of the Politicians.
The anti-Wood men. in addition to
the old trick Of placing numerous IA
yorite sons in the field in the hope of
thereby defeating Wood, are endeavor-
ing to divide the old Roosevelt fol-
lowing. 1t had been assumed here by
some politicians that Wood would be
Roosevelt's residuary legatee politl-
cally. The desire to split the Roose-
welt strength. it is believed, has LED to
the entrance of Poindexter and john
son, both of whom have been regarded
as progressives, and Johnson especial
ly so for having been RooseveltS run
ming mate in 1912.
If johnson carries out his publicly
announced intention of taking the
stump personally in every state 1t
probably will be found johnson is
the second choice OF quite number OF
the thirty-one district delegates from
MASSACHUSETTS,.
Coolidge II Sitting Tight.
One of Johnson's lieutenants has
already been at work in Massachu-
sets, and there are not wanting in
ternal evidences that he has met with
some success.
In the meantime Gov. Coolidge Is
sitting tight. He has not made, nor
will he make, unless he changes his
mind radically, any formal announce
ment that he is candidate for the
presidential nomination. He is say
ing that he has his work here as
governor and that he is attending
strictly to that work. His friends are
working strenuously in his behalf,
and, because of his action at the time
of the Boston police strike. he is get
ting more unsought newspaper pub
licity than any other man mentioned
for the place throughout the state.
Though Gov. Coolidge has blocked
the vice presidential current. 1T Is
easy to see that, had he not done so,
he and his friends might have had
more influence than 1t is likely they
will now have in deciding who shall
be the presidential nominee.
Massachusetts has not been in the
habit of sending pledged or instruct
ed delegations to the national conven-
tions. She may depart from that GUS
tom now, but If she does not it is
probable that Wood will be the sec
ond choice of at least half. If not more
than half, of the Bay state delegation
at Chicago. FORRESI +! HULL.