The Washington herald., 1920-02-27
HARDING OPENS
IN SOUTHWEST
Two-Week Speaking timer
ary Arranged by Ohio
Candidate.

With the oates Tor Presidential
preference primaries in the various
States drawing near. the battle for
the support Of State delegations to
the Republican national convention
between leading aspirants for the
Republican nomination Is on in ear
nest.
Senator Warren G. Harding at the
last moment has decided to revise
his earlier campaign plans which
did not call for an extensive speak
ing tour, and will leave tomorrow
for the Southwest, where he will
remain for two weeks. He Is sched-
uled to speak in Kansas City. Fort
Worth, Houston, Dallas. San Anto-
MO and Topeka. From there he will
go to Colorado Springs and Denver.
He will return to the Capital about
March IS.
johnson Aides Active.
Senator Hiram johnson left
Washington this week for the Da-
kotas where he will wind up in that
section his campaign. cut short by
his recent Illness. He will address
audiences in a half dozen cities in
North and South Dakota. So impor-
tant do the various candidates con-
slider the outcome of the State pri-
maries in the Dakotas that they will
put their best speakers in the con-
test there, ih addition to making q
personal campaign. Among the
Johnson supporters who are expect.
ed to invade this section are Senator
Kenyon, of Iowa; Senator McNary
Of Oregon, and Senator Borah, oi
Idaho.
Supporters of Senator johnson
claim the fiery Californian is max
ing deep inroads into the Harding
ranks in Ohio and is running Gov
ernor Lcwden. of Illinois, a clos,
race in Michigan.
Follows Wood Route.
Senator johnson is following
closely upon the trail Of Gen. Wood
who has already addressed audi
ences at Yankton, S. Oak. Cantor
and Sioux Falls and Dell Rapids
Today Gen. Wood speaks at Jack
/ son, Mich, whence he will return
| to Chicago. Gen. Wood has re
/ Trained from speaking in North Da
kota. following the request of th'
State committee that the Republic
an candidates keep out of the Stat,
and avoid stirring up the Nonpar
tisan League, strongly intrenchet
there. The State convention of tn,
league has already indorsed Sen
ator johnson, who will ignore tn,
Republican organization. johnson
managers declare that he will viii
delegations from both States. Woot
supporters admit the chances favol
Johnson in North Dakota, but be
love their candidate will carry tn,
South Dakota primaries.
North Dakota and South Dakots
each have but ten delegates, but
Importance Is attached to thes,
States because the primaries come
first here. The North Dakota pri
mary will be held on March 16
while that of South Dakota oil
March %.
| Garfield for General.
Ohio looms up as being the chiei
Republican preconvention battle
! ground. with the possibility tina
/ the Buckeye States choice may
! finally determine the G. o. p. stand
! ard-bearer.
Until recently Senator Harding
was regarded as having the OhiC
! delegates "sewed up" Now thre,
leatiing candidates are in the race
/ Ja&nes r. Garfield. Secretary of thu
| Interior under Roosevelt, has come
/ in as a fourth, merely, IL is said
! to promote Woods chances.
General Woods name has bee'
| filed for the primaries. which are L
be held in Ohio April 81. Woods
! campaign in Chic Is being handle
! by Col. William Cooper Proctor.
To offset the Wood move Senator
Harding invited Senator Hiram
Johnson into Ohio to run as SECOND
! choice to him. This means thai
Harding delegates will he for Hard
ing first and Johnson second. JChn'
son men now say that in certain
sectioI of the State. Senator John
son Is beginning to be more popular
than Harding himself, p.trt cularl,
in thu sections whe-9 the old pro
gressive element IS strong.
Gardelds entry will give Woo
delegates an opportunity TO give
second choice support to a knowr
Wood follower. instead Of to either
| Harding or Johnson.