The Washington times., 1923-12-11
LOWDEN To BE
AVAILABLE IN
DEADLOCK
Ex-Governor Regarded as Pas.
siYe Candidate for
1924.
By GEORGE r.. HOLMES.
international News Service.

Frank c. Lowden, ex-governor Of
Illinois, who figured in the memo
rable triple deadlock for the Repub-
lican nomination for the Presidency
at Chicago in 1890, can be regarded
as "a passive candidate" for the
nomination In 1924, according to
friends of the former governor who
are in Washington today attending
the meeting of the Republican Ma
tiOnal Committee.
Governor Lowden has been spend
ing several days in Washington. He
has resOlutely declined to discuss
politics or candidates for publica-
ton, although he has engaged in
conferences with numerous personal
and political friends. According to
these friends, Governor Lowden has
no intention of announcing his can
didacy for the present, or Of enter
ing any primaries.
LOwden to ST Tight.
While the campaign managers for
President Coolidge are discussing
tho advisability of going into the
primaries in California, and the
managers of Senator Hiram John
son are similarly considering the ad-
visibility Of invading the President s
own State of Massachusetts, in quest
of convention. delegates, Governor
LoWden, according to his friends,
plans to sit quietly by on the side
lines and watch developments.
II such a thing as another dead
lock should ensue in the 1924 con.
vention, then Governor Lowden will
be what politicians term available -
Such at least is the present strategy
.of the Lowden movement, according
to those who are interested in 1t. 1t
was recalled today that somewhat
similar strategy was employed by
the Harding managers in 1920. and
the results are historical.
Governor Lowden was a White
House caller today and had a long
chat with President Coolidge. He
went at the Presidents invitation.
After the conference, Governor
tions about politics and candidates,
and parted them all.
"If there is a Lowden move
ment," he said. in reply to a direct
question concerning his candidacy,
''it is not at my solicitation"
In reply to e. question concerning
the strength Of candidates in ILL.,
nois, he said:
president Coolidge is strong in
Illinois. But for that matter SO is
Senator Johnson"
Political gossip and talk Of can.
didacieS filled the hotel Hobbies OF
the Capital today coincident with
the gathering here of the national
committee, comprising fifty-two
male members and an almost equal
number Of women who are assocl.
ates, for a two-day session.
To Pick Convention City.
The principal business Of the
meeting is to agree upon q conven.
ton city, and it is regarded as a
foregone conclusion that Cleveland
is to get the plum, at the behest
of President Coolidge's friends.
There are numerous other bust
ness matters in connection with the
convention to come up for decision
among them the apportionment OF
delegates for 1924. Southern leaders
have lodged strenuous protests with
the committee against the recent
cutting down of Southern represen.
tation, but it was regarded as un.
| likely today these protests would be
| Of any avail. According to present
plans there will be 1,036 delegates
| in the convention, as compared with
| 984 in the 1920 meeting. This would
require q successful candidate to
muster SIC.