Evening star., 1924-06-09
BUTLER NOW RULES
AS G. 0. P. DICTATOR
Convention Looks to Him as Cool
idge Spokesman to Point
Way for Party.
LODGE ACTIONS RESENTED
Delegates Incensed at Failure of
Senator to Aid President.
LODGE ACTIONS RESENTED
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
CLEVELAND. June e.-william NJ
Butler of Massa sachusetts-that's all
He is the new dictator of the Repub-
Ecan party. He is the man whose
word is law with the assembled dele
gates. He is the man who dethroned
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. He
speaks for Calvin Coolidge-and
though he speaks but little he wields
today the power to select Vice
President and to make the platform
of the party.
Mr.. Butler has been the precon-
vention manager. For ten months he
has been actively gathering dele
gates, picking them carefully and
winning the regular state organiza-
tlons to his side. He will be the next
chairman of the Republican national
committee and the maL4ger of the
Coolidge campaign for election.
Some people here think the con-,
yentlon atmosphere unenthusiastic
and dull. Some newspaper men. ac-
rs uninteresting. To be sure il isn't
Spectacular, there is no sign of ten
sion. but it is, on the other hand, q
remarkable contrast to 1920.
coolidge Rules Convention.
Here the senatorial club has no
power. no prominence. Calvin Cool
idge rules. The all-important reSolu-
tions committee, which frames a plat
form, had none of Mr.. Coolidges
opponents from the Senate and House
on it. There will be no embarrass-
ments. Mr.. Coolidge has assumed the
leAder ship. His position rather than
that or men who voted to override
his vetoes will be supported his pro-
posals for a world court, his program
in the platform. And while he is
not trying to pick Vice Presid ent,
whoever is selected will bo in har-
nony with his views.
Whence comes this development of
Coolidge power? 1t isn't sudden 1t
is the result Of ten months OF in
tensive campaigning by William M.
Butler and his associates They cap
tpred the west and middle west by
simple appeal to the conservative
business interests of the country, The
delegates here are business men
There are few of the So
gates seem to have faith in Gavin
Coolidge, faith that in him lies the
opportunity for business revival
and a steady course for the ship of
state.
1t would be inaccurate to say all
the delegates are happy. Some of
them are voting for Coolidge against
their own wishes. Some Of the old
leaders who used to take part in the
inner conferences are on the outside.
Me mbers of Congress who have been
snubbed are not joyful about it. The
resentment against Congress is the
outstanding feature of the conven-
tion. 1t is the most pronounced in
the Massachusetts delegation. where
every ten minutes some one is talk
ing about Furnishing Henry Cabot
Lodge. Indeed, some of the delegates
say the feeling in Massachusetts is so
bitter aainst their senior senator that
he would be beaten five to one If he
ran in a Republican primary today.
because Mr.. lodge failed to support
the President on the soldiers' bonus
issue, some of it because he failed to
help the Presidents proposal on the
world court and some of it because
leader and made the fight for Cool
idge policies in the affirmative and
aggressive fashion. SO Mr.. Lodge
will not help make the platform, will
not be in the limelight at all, and the
friends of the President are eager to
on. so that the impression Of Cool
idge strength and leadership will be
broadcast.
No Promises Made.
William NJ. Butler is almost as silent
rs his hero. Calvin Coolidge. In talk
ing with Fred Upham, the national
trea surer, Mr.. Butler speaking of his
Cal Coolidge is a chatterbox." This
means that Mr.. Butler has been slow
to make pledges and promises. There
have been no appointments promised.
no cabinet portfolios distributed, no
of any kind. The old
how the money for the campaign is
going to be raised If the individual
leaders aren't given little more lee
way, and they hope that. politically
speaking, the Coolidge management
will loosen up before autumn comes.
But Mr.. Butler is no novice. He
learned in his politics at the elbow Of
former Senator Murray Crane of Mas
gachuSetts, a skillful master of politi-
cal strategy. He has converted the
convention into something
less cumbersome than it was in 1920.
It is more cohesive.
1t is the kind Of conven ton that
aches to be led and controlled. 1t
wants the vice presidential candidate
le1ected in advance, but Mr.. Butler is
wisely refraining from an insistence
% any one candidate To the talk of
Burton of Ohio Or Senator Capper of
he listens, but without COM
ment. He would like to see the con-
vention listen to the speeches of
nomination and make up it's mind on
the floor. Frank Lowden's refusal to
accept even il rendered has been a
but he is looking to
1928. So, no doubt, Is Herbert Hoover.
Mr.. Burton of Michigan. who nomi-
mates Mr.. Coolidge, is said to be a
He may win the vice
nomination by o1tory.
Stranger things have happened.
(Cabvrjrhf 1904