Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-03-06
HIRAM J0HNSON'S
FOES PLAN To BEAT
HIM IN HOME STATE
BIZ DAVID LAWRENCE
(Leased Wire Service to The Journal.)
Copyright 1924


(Leased Wire Service to The Journal)
Copyright, 1920
WASHINGTON. March 4.-Sena.
tor Hiram Johnson's financial sup
porters have not abandoned him, nor
do they intend to do so. The pub
nancial aid for the primary cam
paign in New York state are a mis-
construction OF a decision made sew
eral months ago. when the Johnson
campaign was planned.
Certain sums We're allocated for
each state, but it was decided not to
make as extensive canvass in New
York, because the senator relies
there upon his 1920 strength with
the voters and his power of personal
appeal with the masses as we'll as
the aid Of certain newspapers.
Mr.. Johnson's friends feel that his
chances are getting better daily, that
the next campaign will be won in
the west and that the Teapot Dome
controversy has so involved Presi-
dent Coolidge with the responsible
ty Of retaining officers in his cabinet
until forced to dismiss them that the
public will want a new slate.
The Johnson campaign is based on
the issue Of clean government, as ex-
pounded by the California senator.
He favors a soldier bonus, tax re-
duction and what he terms a pro-
gressive program.
The California Primary
The Coolidge forces have by no
means ignored the Johnson move
ment, and while confident Of success,
would, nevertheless, feel better if
the Californian was out Of the way.
To checkmdte Johnson, there is a
plan afoot to reduce his prestige ma
tionally if possible by a contest in
the California primaries. the theory
being that if Johnson could be de-
prived of the Republican indorse-
ment in his home state. he would
not have any strength to speak of
elsewhere.
Governor F. w. Richardson, Of
California, who is said to cherish am
billions for the vice presidential
nomination, is the only man who
ever polled more votes in California
than Johnson. First, it was thought
he would head the list of Coolidge
electors in California, but at the
eleventh hour this plan was aban-
doned because Mr.. Richardson could
not very well be a delegate and a
candidate at the same time. Some
of the Coolidge hackers in the east
are reported to favor the idea of try
ing to put Richardson in the pri-
maries as a running mate with Presi-
dent Coolidge.
Analysing the Richardson victory
last time, the Johnsonian viewpoint
seems to be that he received large
vote because many Of the Johnson
Republicans thought Richardson was
Endorsed by Johnson. When Rich.
ardson first was elected to office as
state treasurer he had the johnson
support.
May Hold Whip Hand
The personnel of the Coolidge list
of delegates in California is virtually
the same as that which took hold of
the campaign of Charles Evans
in 1916. While Mr.. Johnson
may have lost some strength since
the last time he ran, the champions
of his cause are sure that a between
the senator and the conservative
group who are behind Mr.. Coolidge,
will vote overwhelming
for it's favorite son..
The Johnson movement is depend
ing mostly on the personal campaign
of the senator in various primaries.
His hackers say he needs less money
than any other type of candidate be-
cause of the magic of his voice and
There is no disposition
to abandon him. On the contrary,
there is a revived interest in the
possibility that he may yet hold the
whip hand in the Republican con-
vention, especially il the middle
western radicals have a candidate
too.