Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-05-05
INDIANA WILL GIVE
N0|NSTRUCT|ONS|N IN
REPUBLICAN FIGHT
Lack of Majority for Any
Candidate Establishes
Freedom of Action.
BY N. O. MESSENGER.

AS no candidate received a down
right majority in the primaries, but
only a plurality, Indiana's delegation
to the republican national convention
will go to the convention without in
structions. leaving the future course
of the delegation to the decision of
the delegates in conference with re-
publican leaders.
Thus Indiana. a pivotal state and
one whose vote from time immemorial
has been taken into calculation and
has exerted influence in the nomina-
ton Of candidates and results at the
polls in November, will join the
galaxy of states sending their dele
cations uninstructed and in a posi-
claims of all the candidates.
The Indiana outcome plays into the
hands of the leaders in the republican
party. whose purpose all along has
been to have an open convention. For
time this object bade fair to be
frustrated by the gains made by Gen.
Wood through a masterful organiza-
ton undertaken in his behalf early
in the year.
Wood Boom Plans Upset.
The entry of Senator Hiram john
son into the contest and the splitting
by him of the progressive vote. which
otherwise might have gone naturally
Wood boomers. AS has been pointed
out from time to time. the hackers of
other candidates whose ambitions
were threatened by Gen. Wood. have
lent aid either openly or tacitly to the
progress of the johnson movement in
several states. resulting in preventing
Gen. Wood from obtaining the full
strength he had expected In those
states.
With all that, Gen. Wood will enter
the convention with . larger number
of delegates than any other candidate.
but far short of q majority. Senator
johnson is expected to have about
100 delegates In the convention 1t the
away from, him by Gen. wood. the
politicians believe.
Gov. Lowden has made a poor show
ing in the primaries. not even being
assured OF the solid support Of his
own state, where Mayor Thompson of
Chicago threatens to hold out the
den has with him the leaders in many
Of the states where the old conven-
ton system prevails and is strong in
the uninstructed delegations. His full
strength will not begin to be shown
until after one or two ballots are
taken.
Senator Harding Practically Out.
Senator Harding. in the opinion of
republican leaders here. will fnd it
advisable to declare himself for re-
election to the Senate before the last
day for hling under the Ohio law
arrives. which will be just about con
vention time. The results Of the
primaries are classed generally as
having practically destroyed his
chances as compromise candidate.
Primaries are yet to be held in
Virginia and Florida, but are not
counted upon to change the situation
of today, as they will be largely
under machine management. Con-
siderably more than half the dele
gates to the convention have now
leaving the decision as to a popular
choice Of candidates in doubt and
showing the people to be divided in
their support Of candidates.
The object Of the old line repub-
licans will be from this time on, it
and to keep on good terms with Sem
ator johnson. in the meantime cast
ing about for a candidate who may
unite the two wings Of the repub-
lican party.
Gov. Lowden is by no means to be
discounted as possibility. 1t is de-
clared. by well informed republicans
at the Capitol. His supporters have
not thus far succeeded in convincing
certain republicans Of prominence
that he is the best man to be nomi-
nated-politicians who must be con-
vinced before any candidate can
count upon being nominated-but he
Is still strong with an influential
element of the old line republicans.