Evening star., 1924-02-10
Naval Oil Probe Disclosures Hurt McAdoo Candidacy Coolidge
THE WEEK IN POLITICS
Summary of National Developments Based on Reports
From The Stars Special Correspondents
and Staff Writer'S
and Staff Writer'S.

closures, but thousands of Ken
lucky democrats who are warm
admirers of former Gov. Cox are
reported ready to line up for the
Ohioan upon a gesture from him.
In Idaho McAdoo and oil are the
chief topics of political discussion,
but sentiment seems not to have
crystallized.
n X TX X
Next in democratic interest for
the week was the formal launch
ing of an unofficial boom for Gov.
AL Smith--unofficial in that Gov.
Smith has given no public sanction
of it. The launching was done at
a conference attended by promi-
nent democrats from New York,
New Jersey, Massachusetts,. New
Hampshire. Pennsylvania and Illi-
nois. 1t is intended that from
now on Gov. Smith shall enter into
all democratic presidential reck-
Onings.
West Virginia democrats at last
seem to be lined up solidly to
support John w. Davis for the
presidential nomination. so the
former ambassador to London
must be given ii place among the
leading possibilities. along with
McAdoo. Underwood and Smith.
Unless McAdoo succeeds in re-
storing himself to full favor and
availability, another week is likely
10 see the list considerably. en-
larged. Should McAdoo drop out,
or be declared out. there is in
prospect a grand scramble for his
following.
Senator Johnsons announcement
that he has no intention of re-
tiring from the contest, and activ-
ity of Johnson men in states where
they have appeared rather list
less, constitute the weeks major
republican developments. The
California senator's visit to Chi
cago, where he conferred with his
midwest managers, seems to have
been responsible for a good deal
of renewed activity. In Illinois
the fight is to be carried into
every congressional district and an
effort made to elect a full John
son dele cation to the national con-
vention. In Michigan a prominent
member of the American Legion
and advocate of q soldier bonus
has been selected as state John
son manager. and elsewhere in
that section the Johnson follow
ing is' showing signs Of aggres-
Siveness.
Strangely enough, the only news
of lessened Johnson activity comes
from the Pacific coast. In Wash
ington it is said active work for
Johnson is being postponed until
after the midwest primaries. II
he fails to make good showing
there it is regarded as probable
no attempt will be made to carry
the state for him. In the mean
time. the Coolidge campaign is
being organized in virtually every
Washington county. Johnson's
California also are said to depend
largely on the showing he makes
elsewhere. Thirteen states will
select delegates before the Cali
fornia primaries are held on May
s, and California republicans are
just as fond as are politicians
everywhere Of being with a win
ser.
The roundup of Coolidge dele
gates seems to be moving along
without any serious Interruption.
Virginia republicans did the ex-
pected thing during the week
when, at their Roanoke conven-
tion, they Endorsed and instructed
for the President. In West Vir-
ginia IL is predicted Coolidge will
have everything his own way at
the primaries.
All but one of the eleven can
didates for delegate-at-large in
dorsed by the Illinois state repub-
lican committee are avowed Cool
idge men, but all are bound to
abide by the decision of the pri-
maries. In Michigan, Coolidge
petitions are being distributed
from Gov. Groesbeck's office and
up to date 5000 signatures have
come in, though only $50 signers
are needed to place a candidates
name on the primary ballot. Ohio
republicans regard Coolidge as
untouched by the oil scandal, and
there is no change in the outlook
for a solid Coolidge delegation.
Even in Wisconsin, where Senator
La Toilette has a complete slate of
delegates, the Coolidge men have
heart enough in at least one dis
trict to make a fight.
'Convrixht 1924 by The WashinSton Star