Evening star., 1924-01-13
Watson Withdrawal From Race Held Great Boon Coolidge
THE WEEK IN POLITICS
Summary Of National Developments Based on Reports
From The Stars Special Correspondents
and Staff Writer'S.
ENCOURAGEMENT by {

A ANNOUNCEMENT by SEN
~ ator Watson of Indiana
~ that he is not a candidate
for the republican pres
idential nomination probably takes
rank as the leading political de-
velopment of the week. Some
shrewd cmmentators regard II
as ranking in importance with
Henry Ford's declaration in favor
of the nomination and election of
President Coolidge.
1t is true that in declaring him
self out of the running Senator
Watson made no pronouncement in
favor of Coolidge, but his retire.
ment leaves the Presidents friends
free to organize In Indiana
to meet the Hiram Johnson
attack there. With Watson out.
there Is expected to be speedy
lining up OF the Coolidge and
most of the regular republican
leaders on the Coolidge. side of the
line
Dispatches from The Stars
special political correspondents in
dicate that 1t was rather a Cool
idge week throughout the coun-
try. From several states come
reports of Johnson activity, but
wherever there were actual de-
velopments they apparently IA
vored the Coolidge cause. In both
Kentucky and Iowa. for instance,
there Is evidence Of eagerness
among republicans to be the first
to instruct national convention
delegates for the President. The
Kentucky state central commit
tee met during the week and de-
cided to hold the state convention
on February 12. At this conven-
tion four delegates at large and
four alternates will be elected to
the Cleveland convention and will
be instructed for Coolidge. ac-
cording to present expectations
The Kentucky Convention also Is
expected to indorse Senator Rich
ard p. Ernst for second place on
the national ticket
The Iowa situation is rather a
peculiar one. The Stars correspond
ent wires that while there Is no
u
Iowa republicans with only John
son and possibly La Toilette as
opponents. the President will easily
capture the delegation. The situa-
tion would change, the correspond
ent says. should former Gov. Lowden
was for Lowden four years ago and
sttll admires him. 1t is said also
that Judge William S. Kenyon, for
mer senator from Iowa, could have
"favorite son. support II he indi-
Gated such a. desire. But the Iowa
state convention is to be held next
month. and the indications are that
declaration for Coolidge.
One Of the most interesting politi-
cal stories Of all time comes from
California, Senator Johnson's home
state, where for years he has been
impregnable. During the last four
years California has increased rap
idly in population, with a conse-
quently large influx OF voters from
other states. 1t is estimated that
fully 50 per cent Of the increased
registration consists OF these 'tm-
migrant voters sef IN an numDsr sss
mated total of 100000 registered
voters. Now, Senator Johnson's
strength in California has been
largely due to the record he made
while governor of the state, and
in all his subsequent campaigns
he has kept his gubernatorial rec
cussion. But It Is figured that
these $4,000 outside voters are
not going to be hugely interested
in what Senator Johnson did
good many years ago as governor,
but are more likely to be influ-
enced by the national issues of to-
day. It is not wholly improbable
that the drift these new voters
take may determine whether John
son or Coolidge gets the Califor-
MIA delegation at Cleveland.
Washington Is another Pacific
coast state where the contest be-
tween Coolidge and Johnson prom
ises to be close and exciting. Pres
ident Coolidge Is reported to be
stronger than at any time since
he entered the White House, but
the johnson forces are making an
aggressive campaign and the out
come is anybody's guess. The
Seattle correspondent thinks there
is almost certain to be third
party presidential ticket In Wash
ington, with either Senator La Fol-
lette or Magnus johnson as the
candidate for President.
+ \ + Il
Another hot Coolidge-Johnson
contest is on In South Dakota.
where preferential primaries are
to be held March IS. Senator
Johnson Is to make a speaking
tour through the state the latter