Evening star., 1924-07-25
HOWELLP[EDCES
AID TO COOLIDGE
Nebraska Progressive De-
clares He Will Campaign
for President.
PREDICTS PARTY SUCCESS
Believes Ticket Will Carry His
State, But Warns That Hard
Fight Impends.
PREDICTS PARTY SUCCESS

Senator Howell of Nebraska. mem
ber of the so-called progressive group
of Republicans in the Senate and also
a member of the Senate farm bloc
called on President Coolidge at the
White House today and not only as
sured him of his loyal support, but
told him that he expects to campaign
actively throughout Nebraska and the
Middle West.
This is looked upon as significant
by Republican leaders here, inasmuch
as Senator Howell. while not of the
La Toilette or Brookhart type, has
been progressive to a certain extent
that his regularity was frequently
questioned. Just what position he
would take in the coming campaign
has naturally been of considera BILE
concern To some Of his regular Repub-
lican friends.
Predicts Hard Fight.
Senator Howell said, after seeing
the President, that he told the latter
OF conditions in Nebraska. He be-
lieveS that Coolidge and Dawes will
carry the state in November. He ad-
mitted, however, that the contest will
be close. and that Republican leaders
in the state must necessarily spend
every effort if they expect the ticket
to win. 1t cannot be denied, he said
that there is considerable La Toilette
sentiment in the State. particularly
among the agricultural population,
hut he does not believe that La Fol-
lette will draw enough votes from
the Republican ranks to cause Cool
idge to lose that state.
The President today discussed pol
itics also with j. p McArdle. an in
h. Int pr,f
Commission. who was formerly an
officer of the brotherhood of Rail-
way TrainmeC. and Joseph Gormley,
also an inspector of the Interstate
Commerce Commission, who was
formerly associated with the Brother
hood of Locomotive Engineers. These
men. while not engaged in polltlcai
activities because Of their Federal
positions necessarily are in posi-
tion to estimate the general attitude
or railroad men with whom they
come in contact. toward the coming
election. In substance they told the
President that from their ohserVa-
tions. those Republicans among the
railroad men viii remain Republicans,
but that many of the democrats
among the railroad men have sig
nified their intentions of voting for
La Toilette.
President Coolidge is gathering
consid.ra BILE information on the pc
litical situation in West Virginia. the
home State Of John w. Davis, ms
Democratic rival in the November
election.
Given Dcta on West Virginia.
Three conferences bearing on the
situation in West Virginia have oeen
held h-- the President within the past
week, and there was promise TO-DAY
Of more similar conferences. IhoSe
who have discussed party AFFAIRS IN
West virginia with Mr.. Coolidge
were Guy d. Goff. until recently AS
sistant Attorney General and now the
Republican senatorial candidate: for
mer Senator Howard Sutherland and
Ira f. Robinson. former chief justice
of the West Virginia Supreme Court
and Republican nominee for gov
ernor in 1915.
All of these plainly said that Mr.
Davis is highly regarded among the
folks at home, but they would not
concede anything when the posi-
hilities in November were discussed
Whether Mr.. Coolidge has formed
any conclusions at this stage has not
been disclosed.
Republican leaders generally re-
gard West Virginia one OF the
battlegrounds of the campaign be-
cause it is Mr. Davis home state.
Hughes carried the State by ABOUT
5000 against Wilson in 1915 ana
Harding had a plurality of about
$4,000 votes over Cox four years ago.
Mr. Coolidge continues to devote
the odds and ends of his time TO
work on his acceptance speech. He
has not started actual d1ctatlon OF
the address. but is engaged IN as
sembiing his material and in draft
ing the outline. He hopes TO have
il completed ten days in advance OF
the notification ceremonies. on Aug
uSt ii