Evening star., 1927-12-18
CAMP PA|GN IS SEEN
TO DRAF COOLIDGE
HiIIes Edict Viewed as Open
ina Drive for Renomi-
nation.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

Demand for the denomination OF
President Coolidge. voiced by Charles
ID. HilIes, vice chairman of the Re
publican national committee, at Re-
publican dinner in Syracuse, is the
forerunner. it is believed in some quar-
ters, OF another Coolidge-fo President
movement. Notwithstanding the Presi-
dents reiterated assertion that he
does not choose TO run.
Such a movement will find adherents
in many States. But many political
leaders in Washington today are CON
vinced that the Presidents wish will
he observed. and also that he would
not accept the nomination il it came
to him. His statement to the national
committee when he received that body
at the White House is regarded gent
orally as having definitely ended the
matter. Senator F'ess of Ohio. wto
has been one of the most earnest sup
porters OF the plan to draft the Presi
dent since the Black Hill statement OF
August, admitted Yesterday that there
seemed no probability of the RepuD-
lican national convention nominating
the President, unless a deadlock
should arise.
Deadlock Is Secuted.
But / do not look for a deadlock
now" said Senator Fess.
The effort of Mr.. Hilles to breathe
new life into the plan to draft Pres1-
dent Coolidge is regarded also as
move to solidify the Republican or
ganization in New York and to hold
together the delegation from the En-
pre State TO the convention next June.
The New York leaders had planned to
accomplish this through Il delegation
instructed for Charles Evans Hughes.
former Secretary of State.
But Mr.. Hughes has spoken in I'M
mistakable terms. He has taken him
self out of the picture. Until Mir.
Hughes recent statement, MIR. Hilles
had strongly favored his nomination
and had expressed the opinion that
the President was definitely out of the
running In Syracuse, therefore, the
vice chairman of the national commit
tee executed a complete about face.
1t is no secret that New York Re-
puhlicans have favored the renomina-
ton of Mr. Coolidge. or barring that.
nomination of Mr.. Hughes, believing
that with either of them, it would be
easier to carry the State against Gov.
Alfred Z. Smith. il he be the Demo
cratic nominee, than with any other
Republican nominee. The New York
Republican organization has been
more or less shot to pieces in recent
years, so much so that the State now
has Democratic Governor and two
Democratic Senators and a majority
of the New York delegation in the
House. The Republicans of New York
are, therefore, most anxious to show
united front in 1928 and to have a ma
tional ticket which will make it easier
to carry the Republican State ticket to
victory, too.
Aimed At Hoover
The dem2 nd for the drafting OF Pres
ident Coolidge is regarded here, too, as
an effort TO head off the movement in
New York for Secretary Herbert
Hoover of the Department Of Com
merce. MIR. Hoover has no little
strength both up. state and in the city
Of New York, so much that ii is re-
carded as practically certain he will
have some of the New York delegation
to the convention unless it can he so
Iiditied about some other candidate.
Certain interests in New York City are
reported to he in opposition TO the
nomination Of Mr.. Hoover.
The Hoover boom for President has
gathered much momentum since the
second statement of President Cool
idge and withdra wal of Mr.. Hughes.
IC0nt;r,ed on Pace Column ~