The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-02-14
Formal Statement Follows Con-
ference of Leaders Here.
GOV. ALLEN is NEXT IN Line
Present Governor Is Consider
ing Race for Third Term.
Brand New Situation Arises as
Result of Developments.


a conference of administration adv.s-
ers Monday night, Chairman Reed to-
day made a formal statement to the
effect that he would not be candi-
date in the Republican primaries.
Governor Allen is next in line. He
is considering a third term. He may
not run. On the other hand he may
get in He is probably nearer being
third term candidate today than at
any time since the present governor
ship muddle developed. He has on
several occasions indicated he didn't
want to run again. Yet he sat in the
and agreed to consider the matter of
making a third race.
To Stay With p. U. c.
This is the situatio,, as it looks to-
day. Reed is out. His "feelers did
not indicate sufficient positive
strength to warrant his entrance as
the administration choice. He will
stay on the public utilities commits
sion. In the meantime administration
alignments will not be determined for
a day or two. In that time Governor
Allen will think it over. If he con-
cludes to run. it means that Richard
]. Hopkins, attorney general. is to be
and W. r. Stubbs the air so far as
possibilities of affecting state house
alignments are concerned.
There is but little surprise in politi-
cal circles in the Reed announcement.
Rumors have been current since Kan
sas Day that he wouldn't get in.
New Situation.
On the other hand there is a brand
new situation in Governor Allen s
climbing to place on the fence. He
admitted today that he is considering
making the race. 1t is the biggest ad-
mission he has made in the campaign.
All sorts of possibilities surround his
consideration of the third term plan.
In fact. at this time the governor looks
more like the real big hope of admin
istration forces for control of state
house power than any man in the
field.
If anyone in Kansas is puzzled, he
has nothing on me-" said the governor
with grin today. IF my life de-
pended on guessing this situation to-
day, 1 would have to give up. l told
some of my friends last night 1 would
consider third term. l don't know
whether 1 will run or stay out All
along have planned to go home when
my term ended. My business has all
been arranged with that idea in view.
can't say just what will do"
f, viii you define possible or prob
able developments in event you do or
don't get in?" was asked
/ into the other fellows affairs Ny
own troubles are enough"
There is rumor that Richard J.
Hopkins is soon to make a statement.
There have been reports that he has
been told by administration leaders
tnat he can't run. 1t was generally
understood that he promised to stay
out until the Reed question had been
settled.
Then came the Kansas Day rumor
| that Reed would not run. Joe Dolley
sat on Hopkins's coat tails three days
and nights keeping him from boiling
onto the track, according to political
wise men,
The new turn following the Reed
/ announcement brings Hopkins no
nearer a place in the sun than when
Dick Lee sent out the Reed feelers
two months ago. It leaves Governor
Allen next on the list of faVorites to
Enter for the administra ton and save
! his own program. Men who sat in
Monday nights conference expressed
! belief that his chances were improved
| by virtue of the fact that w. P. Lam
i bertson had apparently been pocketed
! by a division of his farmer strength
with w. r. Stubbs and T. A. McNeaL
Those Who Attended Conference.
Among the men who attended Mon
I day nights conference were: Governor
! Allen. Clyde NJ. Reed, chairman pub
| lie utilities commission; J. n Dolley,
! former state chairman; Hugh Duff.
| state oil inspector and treasurer state
committee; Ernest Underwood of
Atchison, representative and member
board of administration: J. H. Lee. To-
| peka banker: Fred Trigg. Kansas City,
] Mo; Tom Bigger, /. H. Chapman and
| Gerard Little. Kansas City. Kan. Ear
! lier in the day H. H. Motter. state
chairman, and Wilbur c. Hawk, re-
(
club. consulted with administration
workers regarding governorship plans.
Reeds Formal Statement.
This morning Chairman Reed made
/ mis- formal statment Now the gov
| ernor himself is to weigh campaign
possibilities and report his decision 10
, the men who were in Monday nights
conference Reed indicates that in
stead of running for governor he
wants to stay at the head of the state
com mission where he believes he may
be of much service to the public
In his statement today he said:
1 will not be a candidate for the Repub-
| ucan nomination for governor
=. Being a human sort Of person the dis
cussion Of my name in connection with the
! goyerDOrship has not been dtspleasing and
: / thoroly appreciate the kindly expressions
of NV friends This applies with special
| force to the unanJmity Of support from the
/ home folks in Labette county. with par
/ ticular reference to the fact that the news
paper boys Of the county were willing q
| assume responsibility for my candidacy.
/ But / am now engaged in service of
much importance to the people OF Kansas
The readjustment Of railroad and utility
rates following the economic readjustmeni
/ is matter OF great moment TO the people
Of this state. The money paid for railroad
fares and rates and the various utilit )
charges very greatly exceeds all OF the
money required TO run the state. county
city and township governments. Including
tire schools Under the existing eireum-
4 stances the work Of the Public Ttiiitiet
J Commission becomes Of first Importance re
/ the state and the present commission very
keenly feels its responsibility.
/ To become candidate for governOr a
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