San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-04
HIRAM JOHNSON
GAN STILL GET
MONEY BACKING
Friends Say His Chances
Are Getting Better
Each Day.
In FAVOR OF BONUS
Will Base Campaign on Is
sue Of Clean Gov
eminent.
In FAVOR OF BONUS
BY DAVID LAWRENCE

Copyright by The San antonio Light.
Washington, March 4.-Senator
Hiram Johnson's financial supporters
have not abandoned him nor do. they
intend to do so. The published reports
of a. withdrawal of financial aid IOr
the primary campaign in New York
state are misconstruction OF deci-
sion made several months ago when the
johnson campaign was planned.
Certain sums were allotted for
each state, but it was decided not to
make an extensive n canvass IN New
York because the senator relies there
upon his 1920 strength with the voters
and his power of personal appeal with
the masses as well as the aid Of GER
tain newspapers.
Mr.. Johnson's friends feel that his
chances are getting better daily. that
the next campaign ill be won in the
west and that the Teapot Dome con-
troversy has SO involved President
Coolidge with the responsibility of re.
tanning officers in his cabinet until
forced to dismiss them that the pub
lie will want a new slate.
FavOrs Bonus, Lower Taxes.
The Johnson campaign is based on
the issue of clean government ms ex-
pounded by the California senator. He
fsvors soldier bonus, tax reduction
and what he terms progressive cam
.paign.
The Coolidge forces have by no
means ignored the johnson movement
and while confident Of success would
nevertheless feel better il the Cali
fornian were out of the way. To check
mate Johnson there is plan afoot to
reduce his prestige nationally il posi-
Bile by contest in the California
primaries. the theory being that il
johnson could be deprived of the Re-
publican endorsement in his home
state, he would not have any strength
to speak of elsewhere.
Governor +. w. Richardson Of Cali
fornia who is said to cherish ambitions
for the vice presidential nomination,
is the Onl., man who ever polled more
votes in California than Johnson.
First it was thought he would head
the list of Coolidge electors in Cali
fornia, but at the eleventh hour this
plan was abandoned because Mr..
Richardson could not very well be a
delegate and candidate at the same
time. Some of the Coolidge hackers
in the East are reported TO favor the
idea of trying to put Richardson IN
the primaries as a running mate with
President Coolidge.
Supporters Are Optimistic.
Analysing the Richardson victory
last time. the Jhonson;an viewpoint
seems that be that he received large
vote because many Of the Johnson
representatives thought that Richard
son was endorsed by johnson. When
Richardson first was elected to office
as state treasurer he had the johnson
support.
The personnel Of the Coolidge list
of delegates in California is virtually
the same as that which took hold OF
the campaign of Charles Evans Hughes
in 1916. While Mr.. johnson may
have lost some strength since the last
time he ran, the champions of his cause
are sure that as between the senator
and the conservative group who are
behind Mr.. Coolidge, California Will
vote overwhelmingly for its favorite
son.
The johnson movement is depending
mostly on the personal campaign of
the senator in various primaries. His
hackers say-.he needs less money than
any other type of candidate because of
the magic of his voice and personality.
There is no disposition to abandon
him; on the contrary there is revived
interest in the possibility that he may
yet hold the whip hand in the Republi-
can convention. especialt il the Mid
die Western radicals have a candidate
foo