New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-09-11
Phelal to Find
A Strong Rival
In Shortr'idge
Hiram Johnson's Colleague
Faces Probable Defeat at
Hands of Republican OPP.
ponent i'm Senate Fight
Outlook i'm California
Early Indications Point to
Landslide for Harding
and Coolidge This Fall
By Howard D. Hadley

BY Howard y. Eiadley
Los ANGELES, Cal, Sept. 1.-The
victory of Samuel NJ. Shortridge, the
we'll known San Francisco lawyer, in
the three-cornered race in yesterdays
Republican primaries over former Con-
gresham William Kent, also resident
OF northern California, and former
Lieutenant Governor A. ]. Wallace, of
Los Angeles. makes probable the defeat
in November of United States Senator
James d. Phelan, the San Francisco
Democrat, who is now Senator Hiram
Johnson's colleague in the Senate from
California.
The events which led up to the sue
cess of Shortridge and the results
which may easily follow his election
make an interesting story. Kent had
the enthusiastic backing of the labor
unions and other interests and a large
personal following, for his sympathy
for the under-dog and his ability and
experience are widely recognized. But
1t was proved during the campaign that
he had contributed $500 to the cause of
the |. W. WIS in Chicago. and this fact
probably helped moro than anything
else to bring about his defeat.
Mont explained on the stump that he
madn this contribution because il was
represented to him that the members
OF The |. w, w. on trial in Chicago were
poor and unable to hire able LAWYERS
TO conduct their defense, but it was
then quickly shown that one of these
!. w. WIS was wealthy man, perfect
~ able to hire lawyers to defend him
self and his associates. 50 Kent was
left IN a defensive position. And
majority of the voters this year seem
to be IN no mood to help .anythinr or
anybody savoring Of Bolshevism or
a. W. W.-ism."
The Official Returns
Official returns from about two
thirds of the precincts of the entire
state indicate that the totals will be
about as follows:
11t enI .'''''' '..'................ $4,000
al'"ce ....'............ $4,000
Wallace Is a ealthv business man Of
TINS city, formerly a Progressive, and
strong supporter of nationwide pro-
hlbstlon. He hoped to attract the votes
OF men Of progressive views, of sup
porters of prohibition throughout the
state, and also counted on an over
whelmlng vote in Southern California.
having been the .only candidate hailing
from this section, whereas both Sena-
tors Johnson and Phelan and Messrs.
Shortridgc and Kent arc from San
Francisco.
The rivalry between Northern Cali
fornia. dominated bv San Francisco
and Southern California, of which Los
Angeles is the "canital,' is, of course,
known to all men, But the results in
dictate that The fight between the nro-
gressive and standpat WINGS of the Re-
publican party, in California at least,
is either ended or indefinitely post
poned. :
Prohibition out here, as in most of
the states, seems to have been pener-
ally accepted as an accomplished fact,
and the voters seem content to let the
question OF beer and light wines, PTS
per cent, etc, work itself out slowly
as experience shows to be best. Sec.
tlonal rivalries apparently played
very small part also in the fight, for,
mirsbile dictu! Kent, of San Fran
cisco, actually carried Wallace's home
city and county of Los Angeles! And
Shortridge, Of San Francisco, also
polled nearly as many votes here as
did Wallace!
The Race in 1916
So We. must dig deeper to find the
causes that brought about the nomina-
ton of Shortridge, regular of the
regulars, in California, progressive par
excellence among progressive states
home Of Hiram Johnson, idol of the
Pacific Slope, high chief of progress
sivism.
A little judicious digging shows that
SIX years ago, in 1914, Hiram Johnson
tProgressive) carried California for
Governor by nearly $4,000 plurality
over Fredericks (Rep.), Curtin (Dem.)
running a very poor third in the race.
On the very same day, however, James
d. Phelan Dem.) carried the state for
United states Senator, his total vote
being $4,000, while Francis J. Heney.
ond the Progressive ticket, and former
Congressman Joseph R. Knowland, on
the Republican ticket, each polled about
$4,000 votes. johnson had an actual
majority OF all the votes cast for Gov
ernor, but Phelan, it Will be noted. was
Tar short of majority in his race for
United States Senator. 1t was freely
charged at the time that johnson and
Phela had an understanding bv which
each profited politically, but charges of
this sort, as all know, are easy to make
and very difficult to prove.
However, in 1915. when Hughes made
that never-to-be-forgotten trip to the
racine Coast early in August right
IN the thick of tine fierce primary
fights then being waged in Washington
and California. and it was seen when
the dust finally settled that Wilson
had carried the state for President
over Hughes by about 5000, whereas
Johnson, running for United States
senator, carried the state by nearly
100000, talk Was again heard that
Phelan and his friends hadn't torn
themselves to pieces in the fight
against Johnson.
But whether Johnson helped Phe,an
when Phelan ran. and Phelan helped
Johnson when Hiram ran for Office,
do not pretend to know. and anyway