Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-12-13
COOL|DGE-JOHNSON
FIGHT At POLLS IN
CALIFORNIA LIKELY

dent Coolidge not only has definitely
entered the race for the Republican
presidential nomination next year,
but some OF his friends are prepar.
ing to put his name on the primary
ballot in California, the home state
of Senator Hiram Johnson.
Entrance of the president into the
California primary was indicated as
probable today after a call at the
White House by William H. Crock.
er. Republican national committee
man from California and for years
a member of the anti-J Johnson Re-
publican faction OF that state.
Mr.. Crocker declined to confirm or
deny that he had urged Mr. Coolidge
to give battle to Senator Johnson in
his home state, but he declared that
he wishes his chances of heaven
were as good as the chances of Presi-
dent Coolidge to carry California
against Hiram Johnson"
Reveals California Plans
Mr.. Croker laid before the presi-
dent the plans of the leaders of the
anti-Johnson faction to organize the
state for the Coolidge campaign; de-
clared that a number of prominent
Johnson in previous campaigns were
behind the movement for Mr..
Coolidge; and described the forma-
tfon of number of California cities
of loyal Republican Coolidge-for-
president clubs"
Announcement Of Mr.. Coolidge's
candidacy was made last night
while party leaders were gathering
in the capital for the annual meet
Ing of the Republican national COM
mittee and three days after he had
outlined his policies in the first mes
sage to congress. Assurances of sup
port Immediately began to pour in
upon William M. Butler, Republican
national committeeman for Massa-
chusetts, who was named his per
sonal representative" in the cam
paign.
The announcement was made by
Frank w. Stearns, of Boston, known
as the presidents closest personal
political friend, through a statement
issued by James B. Reynolds, for
mer secretary of the Republican
national committee. who directed
Mr.. Cooiidge's campaign In 1920.
Whether Mr.. Butler will act as
national campaign manager was not
indicated. 1t was made known, how
ever, that he will establish temporary
headquarters in Washington, where
he will be in a position to confer
frequently with c. Bascom Slemp,
the presidents secretary; Mr.. Rey-
holds, Mr.. Stearns and other party
leaders and advisers while perfecting
an organization.
Slemp Southern Manager
First consideration, it is thought,
will be given to the selection of
regional managers, and Mr.. SIemp,
who is the national committeeman
for Virginia, is expected ito have
charge Of the campaign in the south.
The president, it is understood,
hopes to remain as much as possible
in the background during the cam
paign, his friends explaining that he
desires to conserve his time and
energy for the duties of his office.
No personal declaration to supple
ment the announcement by Mr..
StearnS is anticipated for the pres
ent, at least.
Mr.. Colleges announcement was
not unexpected in view of his mes
sage to congress, the imminence Of
the national committee meeting with
the selection of Cleveland as the
1924 convention city virtually as
sured, and the unanimous indorse-
ment recently given him by the
South Dakota Republican proposal
convention. 1t is expected to have
an immediate effect on the plans of
Senator Watson, of Indiana; Govern
or Pinchot, of Pennsylvania, and
other prominent Republicans report
ed to be considering entrance into
the race for the nomination.
Cleveland to Get Convention
The Republican national commit.
tee, which will fix the date of the
1924 convention as we'll as select the
meeting place, is not scheduled to
name the city until Wednesday. In
view of the withdrawal of it's invita-.
ton by Chicago, however, action
may be taken tomorrow after Des
MONIES, San Francisco and Los An
geles have been given an oppor
tunity to present their claims. Al.
most all of the party chiefs here re.
gard acceptance of Cleveland's in.
vitation as certain, Fred w. Upham,
treasurer of the committee, having
asserted in announcing withdrawal
OF Chicago from the contest, that
responsible administration lead.
ers" favored the Ohio city.
AA0 In6mDerS VIII be
the guests of President Coolidge at
luncheon Wednesday, and they will
be given banquet tomorrow night
by Chairman Adams.
Among the questions that may
come before the committee tomor.
row is that of giving the women as
sociate members full representation
and voting powers. The committee
also will hear protests, chiefly from
the south, against some of the reduc-
tons in state delegations proposed
in the tentative reapportionment for
the 1924 convention. but leaders sa;'
no substantial changes will be made.
The proposed total is 1.036 delegates
as compared with 9S4 in 1920, more
increases having been made than re-
auctions.
To Acknowledge Endorsement
1t was indicated today that Presi-
dent Coolidge still plans to send
message to South Dakota Republic
ans acknowledging the Endorsement
given him last week by the state pro-
posal convention. The message prob
ably will go to Sam EIrod, former
governor of the state, who placed
the presidents name before he COLI
Vention, and will be the first state.
ment direct from the president on
the political situa ton,