The Washington times., 1924-04-19
POLITICAL PO I
IN MONTANA
IS WARM
Democrats May Divide Ranks
Over Endorsement Of
William G. McAdoo.

ny AHJcruAtAOMhA NOW0 OeRVlCe.
HELENA, Mont, April 19.---Mon-
tAna's leading politicians are sure
of nothing and refuse to make any
predictions on the 1924 political
outlook other than their expecta.
tions that number Of exceptian.
ally warm contests will develop.
The Republican party is partly
split over, Gov. J. M. Dixons poll.
cies since the legislative session
and his tax program OF four years
ago, and the Democrats. also, are
running into battle over the
party approval Of William Gibbs
McAdoo ct the national convention
In June.
Former Gov. s. v. Stewart filed
the nominating petitions of the
Democratic party for McAdoo for
President.
]. M. Burlingame. Of Great Falls.
for years stalwart in the ranks
OF conservative Repuhlicanism, Is
head OF the Coolidge campaign in
Montana and for q month now has
been sagaciously gathering the
hosts"
In an effort to cut into the
strength Of both the old party or.
CARNATIONS, "third party" under
the. Farmer.Labor banner, already
has launched a quiet campaign in
Montana for United States Senator
Robert M. La Toilette of Wiscon.
sin.
Former Governor Stewart has at
present the advantage Of a fairly
united organization behind him,
and there are several Democratic
wheel horses out in the open for
McAdoo.
Walsh for Delegate.
Senator r. ]. Walsh. now ma.
tionally prominent as prosecutor for
the Senate oil investigating commit.
tee, has filed for delegate to the
Democratic national convention, but
has not mentioned any particular
candidate on his petition, as 10 his
option under the Montana primary
laws.
Democratic leaders are fencing
with the Farmer Labor organization,
in the hope of securing its support.
The Republicans, however, are not
only assailed by this Farmer.Labor
element, but are also suffering from
attacks within their own ranks.
Shelley Johnson Aide.
o. H. p. Shelley, the Republican
national committeeman, who took
this coveted honor from Thomas A.
\ Marlowe, of Helena, four years ago,
after q bitter controversy, is at the
head Of Senator Hiram Johnson's
campaign in Montana. Shelley ad.
mits a lack of funds will make his
campaign difficult, but he domi.
mated the Montana delegation at the
Republican, national convention in
1890, after campaign that was car
ried on quietly for several months.
4. AS a result his quiet campaigns are
considered more dangerous than his
openly organized efforts.
The out-and-out third party"
group, made up to some extent Of
the once vigorous Partisan
League, IL also handicapped by lack
of funds. Incidentally, this group
frowns upon the term radical"
being applied to it. It's platform is
somewhat advanced" members
say.
Montana's gubernatorial fight is
expected to be the real center of
attraction this fall. While the
Democrats in Butte, Helena. Bill
lings, KalispeIl and Great Falls are
Quiotly grooming their entries for
the State primaries to be held in
August, the Republicans are slow
in getting started because Of some
party friction.
Farmers Back Dixon.
Governor j. NJ. DIXON, who was
mentioned as a successor to Secre-
tary of the Navy DENLY, has the
Republican farmer vote" solidly
behind him. His views on taxa.
ton, however, earned him the un.
dying enmity Of the so-called con-
sentative Republicans, who fought
him openly through two legislative
sessions.
The Ku Klux Khan, reported to
have a strong following through
out the State, is expected to be q
factor In the State primaries. This
Organization, however, with it's OPP
ponents, will probably confine its
activities to factional fights on the
county and legislative tickets.
Although not yet announcing his
candidacy, It Is believed Senator
Walsh viii run for reelection to
the United States Senate.
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