Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-11-16
Party Leaders
Not Surprised Over
JOhnSOn's Candidacy

washington, Nov. Ex-senator
Hiram JohnsUn's announcement of
his candidacy for the Republican
presidential nomination comes as no
surprise to political Washington.
Leaders of the So-called regular wing
of the party in the senate and house
have been expecting it and have been
making their campaign plans ac-
cordingly. One of the first results
probably will be the announcement
OF number of native sons candi-
dacies from various states, parti-
cularly those having presidential
preference primary laws.
Until few months prior to the
death of President Harding, the
regular Republican leaders were
making their plans on the theory
that they would encounter no con-
test from Senator johnson. >
UP to the time the late president
announced his proposal for entry in
to the World Court with certain
reservations, Senator Johnson was
reported by associates who inter-
viewed him on the subject as feeling
that Il campaign against Mr.. Hard
ing did not offer an issue promising
success.
About the same time Mr., Hard
ing was informed by one of Senator
Johnson's associates that the Call
fornia senator did not intend To en-
ter any state in re-conyention
campaign for delegates. MIR. Hard
ing himself believed that Senator
Johnson would not contest the nomi-
Inmates.
Soon after Mr.. Harding made hts
first World Court proposal public
senator johnson was reported to
nave told those who had consulted
MN previously that World Court
issue probably would have some in
Huence IN making his final decision
FROM tnat time the regular Repub-
mean leaders began to regard him nc
contender, and the death of Mr.,
f1arulnS, they considered, made his
Canuluacy certain one unless presi-
uent Coolidge developed some Issue
ton certain.
The understanding in Republican
political circles is that Senator .1ohn"
son delayed making his annonnnn
hent until he had opportunity 70
make a careful survey of the situso
llon IN several of the northwestern
states from which Senator Lafollette
a. much support and in which
lile Wisconsin senator is expected 10
seek delegates for himself.
me Understanding here most re.
Gently mas ben that some announce
ihent from Senator johnson would
De Forthcoming soon after Senator
l-atollette's return from Europe Tha
name OF Albert d. Lasker. of Cbicao
go, former chairman of the Shinning
5oard. as the principal hacker of the
Johnson campaign is mentioned
Wherever Senator Johnson's canndi.
oacy is discussed in Washington.
The outstanding Significance in
senator Johnson's announcement
from the Republican political view
polnt that 1t undoubtedly opens
tne held to half dozen or more
presidential aspirants and assures
that the nomination will he fomghf
1924. ei'ioi VI
"A number of Republican aspirants
nave been withholding active work
on their candidates in their home
states until 1t was developed whethed
president Coolidge was to be on
posed by Senator Johnson. The
plan agreed upon among them
was not. to launch their can
didacies If President Coolidge was To
nave plain sailing. All these candi-
datse however, made plain that If
senator Johnson entered the con-
test, that opened the field and
released them from any obliga-
lions not to seek delegations on their
own account.
Jhe result may be that in several
states having presidential preference
primaries President Coolidge's name
may not appear on the ballot. az
course it is recognized that the nled-
ging Of state delegation to a native
son would in no wise prevent it's
transfer to President Coolidge. if the
trend of the convention fights made
that seem desirable to the leaders.
AT all events, Senator Johnson's
announcement is regarded everywher
as the real opening gun in a hot
campaign in which events are ex-
pected to move rapidly from now on.