The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-10-13
JOHNSON STAND
ON la TOILETTE
IS BIG QUESTION
Goes Duck Hunting When
Senator Wheeler Arrives
for Speech.
BY LOWELL MELLETT,
Times Staff CORRESPONDENT.


SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, Oct. 13.-
What will Hiram Johnson do and If
so when? Is the political question
Of the moment in California. Some
of his friends say his heart is with
La Toilette, but that he fears he
will be called a poor sport" If he
comes out openly against Coolidge,
instead of accepting the result OF
last springs primaries. Others say
he does not wish to endanger his
hold on the State Republican Organi-
cation, which is now dominated by
johnson men. Still others assert
that unless he comes out for La Fol-
lette his influence with progressive
voters in the State will be gone, re-
CARELESS of his control over the State
\ organization.
No person is found to say he will
lift a finger for Coolidge. Pressed
by both sides to commit himself
johnson remains silent.
Goes Duck Hunting
The day Senator Wheeler reached
San Francisco he went duck hunt
ing. His only important utterance
thus far has been his strong denua-
citation Of the Supreme Courts rul-
ing which prevented La Toilette
electors being filed on an independ-
ent ticket.
Without waiting for their chief.
many of these close friends are out
working for La Toilette. however.
and, generally speaking. the normal
Johnson strength in California seems
largely won over to La Toilette.
Johnson's real antipathy and that
of his friends toward Coolidge has
produced an odd situation in the
Coolidge campaign. Under the State
law the State central committee Is
chosen by the party's candidates for
the LEGISLATURE. The party's can
didate this year include a majority
Of johnson men and the State COM
mittee elected by them is Johnson
organization. Their hearts just aren I
in the Coolidge campaign, though
they are making a perfunctory show
ing Of carrying II on. The real Cool
fdge men. such as Mary. ReQua, rep
resentative of the Sinclair Oil inter
ests: Ralph Arnold, another oil man;
William H. Croker, national COM
mitteeman; c. C. league and others
of the Herbert Hoover contingent
have had to organize their own
State committee TO carry on the
fight. These two committees have
separate offices in San Francisco and
Los Angeles.
Names Called
Former President Barrows Of the
University of California is stump
ing the State calling all La Toilette
folks reds and rapscallions.
One local newspaper organ gave
six inches of space 10 Senator
Wheelar's meeting. one of the biggest
ever held in Oakland, and column
and a half TO a fanciful, fictitious
description of the private Pullman
car in which he. Ike other candi-
dates. is travelling. Another has
printed a yarn concerning an enor-
nous slush fund which II says La
Toilette forces are spending in
California.
The action of the court in barr
ing a list of Independent electors
from the ballot and forcing the
ticket to be filed under the Socialist
heading. apparently has helped the
La Toilette prospects more than il
has hurt it.
The northern half Of the State is
claimed with complete confidence by
the La Toilette forces. They are not
optimistic about the southern half.
however. Notwithstanding they say
that reports from that section have
improved in the past ten days. The
newspaper poll of Los Angeles now
shows La Toilette leading, whereas
Coolidge had led for some weeks.
Practical politicians, including the
Johnson men working for La Fol
lette. say that in order to win La
Toilette may need . very decisive
majority in northern California