New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-05-03
Hoover Expects
Big California
Primary Vote
Independent Voters and
Vast Number of Women
Favor His Nomination.
Reports Are Said 10 Show
Great Interest Apparent
Statement by National
Club Expresses Belief
the Result Will Be Close

Herbert Hoover's candidacy for the
Republican Presidential nomination is
by no means dependent on the outcome
of the primary in California to-mor-
row. the Hoover National Republican
Club declared yesterday. The organiza-
tton in its statement added, however,
that Mr.. Hoover has every reason to
expect pleasing result in California.
The statement reads in part:
The campaign for the election of
Hoover delegates in California has been
under the direction Of Ralph P. Mer-
rift. of San Francisco. Our recent re-
ports from Mr.. Merritt are wholly sat
isfactory. We know from them that
the sentiment in favor Of Mr.. Hoover's
nomination in California is widespread
and that it has been crystallized. We
know further that the independent vot-
ers and the vast number of women vot
ers favor the nomination of Mr.. Hoover
Mr. Merritt has had canvasses made all
through the state which show this con
dition conclusively.
while the CAMPAIGN in California
from all reports, has closely resembied
an election campaign. in that the voters
nave been intensely interested and ac
tive, 1t must not be forgotten there is
great difference. In primary election
those in control of the party organiza-
ton machinery have tremendous ad
vantage over any independent candi
dates. O'''"'-
Opposed by Two Organizations
ACTUALLY, two political ORGANIZATIONS
have been opposing the election Of
hoover delegates in California. The
organlzatlon at present managing at.
lars for the Republican party is gen
orally recognized as having been most
carefully planned and built 1t is verv
enectlVe ana resourceful. In this in
stance 1t is working with the remnants
of the older organization. whicb =; 10
superseded. In its day the older or
ganization had many Of the character
lstlcs which make the present one 50
potent. The leaders of the older ~
ganlzatlon have been active in ONO
sltlon to the election of the Hoover
In 1915, the Republican candidate
Tor Senator in California carried the
state sta e. by majority of approximately
oVV'ooV-to be exact. 295,s15. At that
time the candidate had behind him ali
ORGANIZATION
put some of the elements in the old
Republican regime in the state were
opposing him with all their force. For
that reason the very large majority
he received furnished clear indica,
tIon OF his popularity and strength at
that time vi az
Inc result tomorrow should indi-
cate clearly whether this strength and
popularity has been retained and
whether or not the people Of California
are wholly in accord with the nolicv
OF rejecting the league of nations idea
entirely. In this particular respect
cne CaIifornla primaries are of the
utmastwitn p6rtance.
Vote Will Exceed Expectations
Ihe reports received from Mr.. Mer-
rift by this Organization are to the
effect that the work of a few weeks
has been highly successful and that
the vote for the Hoover delegates in
California will exceed the expectations
winch those who are managing Mr..
Hoover's campaign had six weeks ago.
"hen the movement to bring about his
nomination was started. We have
every reason to believe the result will
be close. Further than that we ven
ture no prophecy.
Mr.. Hoover also has been entered
IN the Oregon primaries, which will be
held May 81, and our reports from
that state are exceedingly gratifying.
It is noteworthy that The Literary
Digest,s' figures bear out our reports
from Oregon and also from Washing
ton, in which state no contest has
been made on behalf of Mr.. Hoover,
but where the sentiment for him is
very great"