Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-06-12
HARDING LEADS
DARK HORSELINE
CONTINUED From Page one)


would be the nominee of a majority of
the convention before many ballots were
taken today.
Visits were paid by some of the sena-
tors to the Wood and Lowden head
quarters, as well as to those of other
presidential aspirants, while the con-
ferences were on.
Several of the conferences were held
in the room of Senator Brandegee on
the fourth floor of the Blackstne, which
became eventually the headquarters Of
the conferees.
Borah was visitor to the Blackstone,
but he denied he had participated in
any Of the conferences.
He said he had gone to the hotel to
confer with Johnson.
The conferees did not reach an agree
ment on Harding, 1t was said, until by
process Of elimination they had dis
posed of all other candidates except
Wood and Lowden, neither of whom was
considered seriously.
1t was the belief of the conferees. it
was reported that both Wood and Low
den would begin to weaken after the
first few ballots today, although the
campaign managers of each were said
to have refused to enter into any deal
to swing to any other candidate.
EXPECT TICKET
WILL BE READY.
II was the consensus of opinion among
delegates who talked with the group of
senator's afterward that by the time the
convention reconvened there would be a
ticket ready which republican leaders
seeking to prevent the nomination Of
johnson would unite in trying to put
across.
That ticket would most certainly be
headed by Harding, it was stated posi-
lively by one senator favorable to Hard
ing's candidacy.
THE situation looks very favorable to
my candidacy" was the only statement
Harding would make.
1t was then a. IN. and Harding and
the other senator's appeared worn out
by the long hours they had put in with
out sleep since early yesterday in an
effort to develop n IDEAL" a majority Of
the convention would accept
II the Harding deal failed 1t was agreed
q dark horse" should be nominated, it
also was learned.
Another bit OF information permitted
to trickle from the conferences was that
Senator Penrose. from his sick room in
hAS at
prevail of the choice OF Harding as
compromise candidate.
SPROUTS IMPRESSION
GENERALLY FAVORABLE.
Gov. Sproul said he was gratifed with
the action of the Pennsylvania delega-
ton in agreeing to continue to give him
moral support" as long as it were
necessary"
sproul has made a favorable impression
on those delegates he has personally met,
and his name was freely mentioned
around the Blackstone while the confer
erces were on.
''Lowden is liable to develop consider
able strength on the first few ballots
today" one conferee said.
His greatest strength probably will
come on the first two or three ballots
and he may receive as high as approx
mately 400 votes, but that will be his
maximum and then watch Harding"
1t was admitted, however, by even the
most optimistic parties to the deal"
that johnson would not be sidetracked
by them without the possibility Of
bitter fight on the convention floor which
would plunge the crowded building into
a turmoil precipitated by Johnson per-
sonaIly appearing and joining with
Borah in hurting defiance at the old
guard leaders entrenched on the plat
form.