Evening star., 1923-09-22
POLITICAL CALLERS
FLOOD PRESIDENT
Republican Leaders From
Many States Conferring
With Mr.. Coolidge.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

OAtAD LIN w
President Coolidge has given so
much time during the past week to
the discussion of party politics with
his callers that an unusual atmos-
phere envelops the executive offices
at the moment-one might think the
presidential campaign Of 1924 had
been formally begun.
The latest group of callers included
Charles D. Hilles. republican national
committeeman from New York state,
who came with Senator Wadsworth
and Assistant Secretary of the Navy
Theodore Roosevelt. While local po-
litical situations usually can be help
ed by the mediation of a President
of the United States. the same con-
ference affords an opportunity to
strengthen the position OF a national
candidate. William Barnes, known to
fame as Boss" Barnes, republican
leader in the Empire state, was
brought to the White House by Sena-
tor Wadsworth on Thursday, and the
visit of Mr.. Hilles followed the next
day.
Inquiries for Party.
There have been national commit
teemen from all parts of the country.
as well as number of state chair
men. Most of them start out with
desire Ito pay respects" or to tell
the President how earnestly every
body is supporting him. Mr.: Coolidge.
listens without comment to some of
the statements made and as a rule
makes inquiry as to what can be
done to strengthen the republican
party for the next campaign. One
caller interpreted this as meaning
the primary campaign, but he has
given no inkllng as to whether Mr..
be put on the ballot in the primary
elections.
The general impression is that Presi-
dent Coolidge cannot avoid being placed
In the primary race. Some of his friends,
knowing this to be inevitable, are lining
up the state organizations so that the
first primary elections in the early
spring will insure a comfortable ma
1ority for the incumbent. Wherever il
becomes apparent that Mr.. Coolidge
horts will make an effort to have the
delegation go ''uninstructed," so it can
be further Influenced in behalf of Mr.
Coolidge when the national convention
is in session. Some delegations would
naturally have instructions to cast their
ballots for favorite sons. This may be
especially true of Pennsylvania, where
either Gov. Pinchot or Senator Pepper
may win the delegation.
II is generally believed here that
MT. Coolidge may not get into the
Pennsylvania primaries, but that a
delegation for Pepper would mean it's
transformation at convention time
into Coolidge delegation. Senz
ator James Watson of Indiana is
being urged by his friends to an
nounce his candidacy, but he has told
them it would be a mistake to an
nounce ones candidacy at this time.
when. the republican leaders felt
President Coolidge should have a
ator Hiram Johnson of California is
said to be pursuing the same tactics
The probabilities are that the truce
will be terminated when Congress
convenes in December.
HiIIes for Chairman.
Meanwhile the visit of Charles D.
Hilles to the executive Offices and the
fact that he was entertained in the
White House itself by President and
Mrs. Coolidge has revived the report
that Mr.. Hilles may become chairman
of the republican national committee
after the next convention, succe eeding
Chairman John T. Adams, who has
let it be known that he does not wish
to undertake an arduous presidential
campaign
There are well defined reports that
had President Harding lived he
NOulu nave Deen SldQ 10 see Mr.
HilleS made national chairman in the
event of a resignation by Mr.. Adams.
Mr.. Hilhs has long been identified
with republican national politics He
was secretary to President Taft and
managed the 1912 campaign. Since
then he has been mentioned as a
possible appointee to the cabinet and
1t is known that Mr.. Harding held his
ability outside of politics in high
esteem, too.
Centering the campaign in New
York state, whose many votes would
be helpful as a nucleus for Mr.. Cool
idge at the republican convention,
would have an effect it is believed.
on other eastern states. That is the
strategy of the moment and President
Coolidge is keeping himself closely
informed. as to the whole situation
by conferences almost daily with
leaders from all parts of the United
States. The work that is done now
will have an important bearing on
the result of the 1924 convention. for
commitments made this early when
rival candidates have not announced
themselves will be especially valu-
able to the man in whose behalf
they are made.
Copyright, 1921