Evening star., 1926-06-02
Politics at Large
B, &. Could Lincoln.

Efforts by Democra tic factions in
Kansas to draft Victor Murd0ck. for-
mer progressive Republican member
OF the House, follower of Theodore
Roosevelt In the Bull Moose cam
pa ign OF 1912 and supporter Of Wood
row Wilson in the 1916 presidential
race. as their candidate for governor,
Or for Senator. this year have proved
navailing. Mr.. MurdOck has fatty
refused 10 have anything to do with
the proposals.
The Democratic factions. headed
respectively by former Gov. iona than
Davis and by former Representative
Shouse. agreed they would lay aside
their differences and unite behind Mr..
Murdoch - he would agree TO be the
purity sta nda rdbearer in the sun
flower state. They were not quite
sure whether he ciaSsed himself a.
il Republican Progressive or AZ
Democrat. But they agreed that he
stood for the principles they favored.
Furthermore, he presented posi-
bility Of union for the much torn
Democracy OF Kansas. They both
went 10 Mr.. MurdOck with their Of
fers of support and he declared that
he WAS a candidate for no political
Office. but intended to continue with
his own job as newspaper publisher.
Mr.. Murdock has been vital and
picturesque neure in Kansas and in
Washington. He was a leader In the
night in the House against the old
rules when Uncle Joe Cannon was
Speaker and Gar OF the House.
Later he served as n member of the
Federal Trade Commission, frat un-
der appointment by President Wilson.
Having failed in their attempt TO
win Mr.. Murdock TO their cause, the
Democrat OF Kansas have concluded
TO 50 ahead and night 1t out, with
Jonathan Davis sx a candidate for
the guberns torixl nOnina tion on the
one hsnd and Donald Muir on the
other.
out vn the Pacific Coast there is II
brisk struggle on for the Republican
senatorial nomination for the seat
now held by Senator Shortridge OF
california. Senator Shortridge il Il
candidate to succeed himself. Others
In the race are Robert NJ. Clarke Of
Los Angeles. Superior Court Judge;
Representative I.ineberger and Prot
James Hyde of Stanford University.
The issue has been raised that the
southern part VI the State 10 entitled
TO one Senator. At present both hail
from northern California. Judge
clark, II 10 understood. has the back
Ing Of Senator Hiram Johnson and
his organize ton. Representative
Lineberger's home has been IN
southern California. too, ct Long
Beach. But oil was struck prscti-
cslly in his back yard. and he has
moved his family to Piedmont, near
San Francisco.
The friends OF Senator Shortridge
are taking consoIa ton out Of the fact
that his opposition now seems TO be
pretty Well split with Judge Clarke
and Representative Lineberger Doth
In the contest. Shortridge IL account
ed a wet" and both his principal
opponents are dry" lie is also
supporter OF American adherence TO
the World Court. having voted for the
resolution to ratify the protocol with
the Senate reservations. Judge Clarke
has now announced himself against
the court. although originally he was
reported TO have made a statement
I'm favor OF adherence. Mr.. Line
berger also Is against the court. Prof.
Hyde is said to be wet" as well
as Senator ShOrtridge. but 1t is not
believed now that he will ngure as
req contender for the place.
ON the Democratic side of the fence
no one has yet come forward as an
avowed candidate for the senatorial
nomination. Efforts are being made
to win over former Senator James
Phelan. who came 10 Washington
when President Wilson became Presi-
to Ia
Committeeman Dockweiler also has
been approached as a possible candi-
date.
The California primaries do not take
place until August 81. Al present
Judge Clarke and Representative
Lineberger are campaigning actively
in the State. while Senator ShOrtrid2e
is attending TO his duties here in
Washington.
IL Senator Shortridge is nomina ted
on the Republican ticket. even though
Senator phelan may not have entered
az a candidate for the Democratic
nomination. there may be an effort 10
pursuade the latter to run as an in
dependent candidate, as he may do
under the California laws. against
Shortridge. He has many friends
among the Republicans and, it is said,
would make a strong race.
Having fought it out at the polls
couple Of weeks ago. the Repub-
leans Of Pennsylva nia are now pre-
pairing TO get together. II possible.
A meeting Of leaders is being held in
Philadelphia today. W. Harry Baker,
the present chairman Of the state
committee, who supported Edward
r.: Beidleman for governor against
John y Fisher, the candidate Of
the MELONS and Joseph X. Grundy,
has announced his candidacy for re-
election as chairman. Ii was we'll
understood during the primary cam
paign and earlier that Grundy was
looking for Bakers scalp. W. L..
Mellon. nephew Of Secretary Mellon
Of the Treasury and his representative
in the campaign which resulted in
the nominat ton of Mir. Fisher. has
been mentioned rs successor ~ MI.
Baker. 1t has been suggested that
W. H. Mellon might also become Re
publican national committeeman for
Pennsylvania and combine both offices
in his person. Senator Pepper at
present Is national committeeman
Should Senator Pepper desire to re-
tire as committeeman, IT is possible
that Senator David A. Reed might
be chosen in his place. On the other
hand, Representative William s.
Ware, senatorial nominee. may he
anxious to represent PennSylvania
on the national committee. and
he. too, may seek the Office now that
he has been successful at the polls.
However. Mr.. Ware carried only 2 cut
of the g. counties uf the State. and
won with vote less than the com
bined votes VI his two opponents. Tn
der such circunist2 noes he may have
difficulty persuNding the Republicans
az u whole that he is entitled to mem
bership in the committee. Senator