New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-04-17
johnson Said
10 Blunder in
Maryland Coup
Organization leaders, Irri-
tated by Upset of Har-
mony Program, Expected
to Line Up for Wood
Is. S. Senate Seat at Stake
Californian's Filing Held
Up Until Plans for State
Campaign Are Perfected
By Carter Field

From The Tyibunc's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, April 16.-In forcing
n Presidential primary in Maryland,
where every political leader was hoping
TO avoid such fight, Senator Hiram
Johnson, according to the best political
judgment obtainable here, has played
into the hands of General Woods man
ayers.
Senator Johnson's name was filed to-
day, but it has been known since lake
last week that he intended to file. Rep
resentative Elston, of California, and
other friends CT the California Senator
deferred acSicn. however, until they
received assurances from johnson to-
day that he would be able to devote
two days to stumping the state. They
realized that it would be a hard fight
for Johnson to win in Maryland, espe-
cially as the organization leaders were
1rEltated at johnson for forcing bat
tie when they were so anxious to avoid
one.
The Johnson people have compro-
missed little. in view of this organi-
cation opposition. They are not going
to make any fight for delegates. All
they hope to get is the moral effect of
victory, if they can obtain one. The
moral effect admittedly would be great,
since Maryland is recognized as one
OF the most conservative OF all the con-
servative Eastern states, and demon
stration that johnson could win Re-
publican primary there would be very
helpful to the Johnson cause at the
convention, no matter what the Mary
land delegates should do.
johnson Makes Tactical Error
Maryland has not had Presidential
primary since 1912. In that year Roose-
veit defeated Taft BY about 5000 ma
Jority. while Champ Clark piled up an
overwhelming majority over Woodrow
Wilson. Despite this vote nearly half
OF the Maryland delegation began vot-
the Baltimore convention.
johnson has made a tactical error.
IN the opinion of Maryland politicians
generally. because he has driven the
organization into line behind Gene raj
Wood. The Republican organization
IN Maryland, dominated by O. E.
Weller, former candidate for Governor.
and ex-senator William Jackson. is
not heartily for Wood. 1t has been
1nchned' on national questions, to fol-
low ex-senator John w. Weeks. of
OF Weller and has aided the Maryland
Republicans in many of their fights
in most substantial fashion. Senator
w eeks has not made his position clear
but he has been inclined to Lowden
with Harding believed to be his sec,
ond choice
The lineup among Maryland Repub-
1icahs, OUTSIDE OF what sentiment had
developed, based on cold political con-
tween Lowden and Harding, with the
practical certainty that Weller would
control the delegation.
Senate Seat ENDANGERED
Many bitter fractional rows had been
temporarily smoothered over to make
TINS condition possible and to bring
about Republican success. The d;fs
ferences Of opinion between Governor
Hoidsoorough and Weller had been ad
lusted and primary fight between
the two for the Senatorial nomination
avoided. Weller is to be the candidate
against Senator John Walter Smith.
incidentally every indication has
peer, down to the precipitation of this
IRE ,laentiai primary, that Weller
~ouId De elected Senator. Smith has
usht mold on the Democratic organ
lza'lon, and is certain of the renomi-
nation, but two of his votes as Senator
nave allenated so many voters that
some Democratic politicians admit his
election is impossible if the Renubli-
cans stay together. These votes were
10 the constitutional prohibition
amendment, and in favor of the rail
read bill. The Democratic machine
- baltimore is wetter than Tammanv
So the Republican machine. eaoer n
particularly anxious to avoid anv fac.
1ionai night. 1t charged Senator Joseph
france, who is extremely radical
ana VINO mas been an irreconcilable on
the peace treaty, with the task of keen.
ing johnson from entering. Mr.
france DID everything in his power tc
accomplish this. but no heed was paid
TO him by the Johnson men.
harmony Program Disrupted.
France said that he liked johnson
himself as a Presidential candidate
though ne did not approve of Johnson
voting Tor the prohibition amendment
But the Johnson men retorted tha,
tney did not think France was sincere
or Tor that matter that any of the
other Republican leaders in MARYLAND
IN 'nelr effort to avoid any fight. were
sincere. WA
altogether state Of feeling has al.
Ns Dceh worked up, before the fight
nas started, which does not bode vel
Tor harmony, and which it is exnecter
VIII make the state machine soliI
against Johnson. And as Wood han.
pens 10 De the only other candidate ir
the primary so far, the organ;zation
WI support the general, despite the
1act that many of its leaders wonId
prefer others. WAN
meanwhile John T. Stone. presiden ~,
o. the Maryland Casualty Comnanv
heac Of the Hoover club recentlv or-
canized by the Johns Hopkins Alyrn =;
ana power in the financial distric,
IN baltimore, is considering whether
ne wiH have the name Of Hoover on.
T arrea IN the Republican primary
.herc Is much Hoover sentiment y
maryland, as in other states, but even
hoover enters. and even with the
haTimore Sun" supporting Hoover
IS ~ has been doing, although it has
pcen very staunch Wilson adherent
~ Is not thought Hoover would INV
better than third In q race with w.
and Johnson. "'S" Woo
Hope Of the Johnson Forces
ThA hope Of johnson in ~. s,,,a g
tho I'd Roosevelt strength, vhiss
\ rex,ns: organization opposition. rolIed
up 1900 majority for Roosevelt owe,
'h't, me men in control of the RE-
gabhcan organization now were for
at IN 1912, The men who led the enb.
,or Roosevelt in that year not baysnn
Dech particularly important in nnI;,;as >
oeiore or SINCE. The general oniniox,