Evening star., 1922-05-28
GOV. DAVIS STAND
IN OHIO DOUBTFUL:
May Become Candidate.
Determined to Back Reor-
ganization Plan.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

opecihl DISputcl 10 Inc Staf,
COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 27-The at
| titude of Gov. Davis toward the re-
publican nomination for, governor is
causing the leaders Of that party
real worry now. Months ago the
governor indicated that he did not
wish a second term. 1t was surmised
| that he intended to try for the nomi-
nation. of his party for the Senate to
succeed Senator Pomerene, but two
months ago he definitely announced
that he would retire from politics.
This was signal for republicans
ambitious to be governor to enter
contest for the nomination, and Carmi
A. Thompson, R. r. Beetham, Arthur
Day and Harvey c. Smith promptly
announced themselves as candidates.
Recently friends of the governor in
dicatd that he was dissatisfied with
what seemed to be a plan to repu-
date his legislative reorganization
of the state administration laws.
| The bill by which this was accom-
| plished was pushed through an un-
willing Legislature by the governors
official influence. In order to have 1t
take effect at once 1t was necessary
| to have the legislature in passing 1t
declare it to be an emergency measure.
Senator ]. F. Burke took the matter
to the supreme court. where the va
lidfty of the emergency clause was
| sustained. The reorganization pro-
| ceeded Immediately. The incident
caused intense feeling in the supreme
| court. The chief justice. c. T. Mar
| shall, who voted against the valid
| ity of the emergency, rendered a
! vigorous dissenting opinion. The
| section of the court thus censured
used it's power to deprive the CHIEF
| court not positively vested in him by
| constitution and law, and the s1tua-
| tion became the political talk of the
state.
| Gov. Davis Unsatished.
| INQUIRY Of Gov Davis as to whether
| he. intends to recall his withdrawal
has brought no definite reply. He has
only indicated that he is determined
that his reorganization measure shall
not be repudiated. So far only Col.
| Thompson of the candidates has ex-
pressed himself on the reorganization
law. He has said that with the gen
eral principles he is in sympathy, but
thought it possible that the law could
be wisely amended. This does not
seem to have satisfied Gov. Davis.
| 1t is pointed out that with the op-
position to him scattered, it might be
| possible for the governor to enter
now and secure the nomination.
| Whether Gov. Davis becomes can
| 6idate or not, he has it in his power
to stir up trouble for his party un-
Hess his administration. reorganiza.
! tion and all. is unqualifiedly indorsed
/, in the party platform. and the known
topposition to that reorganization in
| the party is sufficient to indicate that
that would be a doubtful policy.
Democrats Back Davis Plan.
| 1t is a singular fact that the demo-
! cratic organization of Cuyahoga coun-
| ty, the head of which is former Sec
| retary of War n. D. Baker, is stand.
| ing for the state reorganization o!
Gov. Davis. and is likely to support
V. ]. Donahey for the democratic NOM
| ination for governor for the reason
| that his only opponent. T. ]. Duhy,
| has in his announcement as candi-
date made opposition to the Davis
state reorganizer the chief feature OF
his platform.
DIR. Fess Favored.
Though Walter F. Brown of Toledo
still. says he is considering entering
his name as an opponent Of DR.. Fess
for the republican nomination for the
senate. 1t is not generally believed here
that he will. The nomination of Mr..
Reveridge for senator in Indiana, ana
Clifford Pinchot for governor in Penn
sylvania, both former progressive
leaders. does not necessarily indicate
that MIR. Brown would run well. not
withstanding the fact that he was at
| the head of the progressive organiza.
ton in the state in 1912, for the fact
/! of the matter is he was not generally
regarded as progressive, but rather
that he Joined the movement as an OPP
portunist. AS between him and DR..
Fess the betting would favor DR.. Fess.
1t became known here this week
that Senator Pomerene is looking for
a new state chairman for his party to
take the place held by w. w. Durbin
of Kenton. who has held it for four
years. Recently it was stated that
prohsbl David w. Rockwell of Kent
would be made the democratic cam
paign chairman. but apparently he is
also not satisfactory to Senator Pome-
rene. 1t is likely that in any event
Arthur P. Black, the senator's secre-
tary, will have a desk in the state
campaign headquarters to look after
the senator's interests.