Evening star., 1923-09-23
BAKER MENTIONED
ASOH|O GOVERNOR
Former War Secretary May
Be Primary Opponent of
Donahey, Is Said.
Special pispatch to The Star.


gpecal Dispatch TO The Star
COLUMBUS. Ohio, September 22-
Following the departure of former
Secretary of War Newton D. Baker
for Europe there has developed a
little boom for him for the demo-
cratic nomination for governor next
year. Last year when the democrats
opposed to the nomination of Gov.
Donahey were looking for a candi-
date Secretary Bakers name was
suggested. 1t did not meet with
any marked enthusiasm, and the
Donahey opposition finally crystal
tzed about Judge James Johnson Of
the supreme court.
In the regular campaign the Cleve-
land organization ostensibly sup
ported the Donahey ticket. but in fact
took little interest in the contest.
Evidently Secretary Bakers opinion
OF Gov. Donahey has not changed
since then, and around him and the
Cleveland democratic organization
will center opposition to renomina-
tion of the governor next year
More likely, however, sthe anti-Don-
ahey democrats will select another
candidate, and just now George
White, former congressman from the
fifteenth district and manager of
Gov. Cox's campaign in 1920, seems
10 be favored. brief statement
from Mr.. White at his home in
Marietta indicated he was thinking
of the nomination. 1t seems quite
certain now that the governor will
not be given an uncontested nomina-
tion for a second term.
Durbin Denies Rumor.
State Chairman w. w. Durbin of
the democratic state committee Wig
orously denied a report published
here last week. that because of Ill
health he might not remain at the
head of the committee.
This Indication thak Chairman Dur
bin, who squarely broke with the gov
ernor two months ago over patronage
matters, does not propose to be de-
posed, is specially interesting In view
of the preparations of the anti-Dona-
hey democrats to oppose him in the
primaries. The situation is rather
threatening for the democrats Of Ohio
with the national campaign upon
them. 1t seems Gov. Donahey should
be able to defeat attempts to unhorse
him with but a single term, for he
is popular with the rank and file of
the party, and may depend upon help
from republicans should the occasion
demand.
The declaration of war upon w. G..
McAdoo made by former Senator At
lee Pomerene last week. carrying with
IL. as it seems. the intention of the
Dental nomination aspirations, has
not caused much Of furry in Ohio,
probably for the reason that IT was
not expected that the McAdoo forces
gates in this state. Gov. Cox being
a candidate for the presidential nom-
ination again-and 1t seems to be
generally assumed here that he will
will have the solid delegation from
his state. Nevertheless Mr.. McAdoo
stands high with the Ohio democrats.
and with Mr.. Cox out of 1t, probably
would receive considerable support
from Ohio. Though nothing has been
said yet about the Ohio delegates at
large to the democratic national con-
vention. 1t would be unusual If SEN
ator Pomerene should be omitted. He
will be given the opportunity in all
probability of opposing Mr. McAdoo
If he wishes to do so.
New C. o. p. Candidate.
Another candidate for the repub-
lican nomination for governor is ex-
pected to enter the already large
field in a few days. He is former
Speaker of the Ohio House Rupert
p. Beetham of Cadiz.
The republican leaders. who fear
that former Gov. H. L. Davis would
not make a strong candidate at the
polls, see in this large and growing
field of candidates for their nomi-
nation for governor danger that he
may land. the nomination. for he has
a certain strong Organization that
cannot be shaken from him., and
with the balance of the vote split up
between a half dozen other candi>
dates, he might ride into the nomi-
nation. The feeling Is that Gov
Donahey, unpopular as ne evidently
is with the organization democrats,
would probably be able to defeat
Davis
Col Carmi A. Thompson is still
without expression as to his atti-
tude toward the nomination for gov
ernor next year, though he began
making a canvass of the state with
a view to ascertaining the sentiment
of the party toward him. Just now
he is working hard to advance the
chances of his city, Cleveland. for
getting the republican i.a.ional con-
Vention. The Cleveland orkers do
not seem to be at ali discouraged at
not obtaining the approval Of Presi-
dent Coolidge for their enterprise.
Evidently If he has not been able
TO stand for them. he has assured
them that he will do nothing against
them. y. II. GALBRAITH.
go, y p, {. : . b u t-.F4s