Douglas daily dispatch., 1927-12-06
KANSAS CITY IN
LEAD FOR G. O.P.
Nat. CONVENTION

WASHINGTON, Dec S tP9-Chair-
man Butler Of the republican ma
tional committee today threw his
support to Kansas City in its race
with a dozen other cities to secure
the party's next convention.
The word that Butler favored the
Missouri city over San Francisco,
Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland and others
in the contest was passed to mem
bers of the committee curing the
day by Emile Kuntz, committeeman
for Louisiana, who said he had been
authorized by the chairman to make
the announcement
The disclosure of the chairmans
views had two distinct reactions
on the one hand, to give encourage
ment to Kansas City boosters and, on
the other, to cause resentment on the
part of supporters of some OF the
other cities, chiefly S9n Francisco,
because he had not remained neutral
Various members of the committee
sought to obtain from the chairman
a direct statement, hit for some hours
he could not be reached Early to-
night, however, he confirmed Kuntz's
statement that he had thrown his
support actively to Kansas City.
Delegations from the various cities
will be heard tomorrow and the
selection will be made Wednesday.
The word passed by Kuntz came
particularly as surprise to William
H. Crocker, national committeeman
for California, who insisted, however,
that San Francisco would have the
largest number of votes on the first
ballot and that certainly Kansas
City will nota
"I am, most surprised at this an
nouncement," said Mr.. Crocker. ct
is ncomprehensible. The chairman
informed me personally that ne in
tended to remain neutral Further
more, from what President Coolidge
has told me I know this change in
the chairman's sentiments does not
emanate from the White House
The surprise the California COM
mitteeman professed was evident else
where at the Willard hotel, where
members. of the committee INDUCED
in free for all discussion of politics
as the hour of their meeting ap-
nroached. There were suggestions of
Resentment that Mr.. Butler had
sought Ito dictate" the selection Of
a convention city. And few OF the
strongest San Francisco supporters
warned that the announcement would
work both ways ~.
In the Kansas City camp, however,
reported attitude of the chairman
served to renew the vigor with which
that citys delegation has pursued. It's
campaign. The delegation spokesmen
were of the opinion that counting
support already pledged, Mr.. Buffers
statement would cinch the convention
for their city.
Meanwhile Crocker redoubled his
own efforts. Plainly a bit provoked
by the turn of events, he circulated
, rapidly among the committee mem
bers, insisting 4le far west must be
recompensed next year for the go
or more years the west has been
coming east for conventions.
A report was circulated that a
resolution would be offered at to-
morrow's session of the committee to
appoint a subcommittee with power
to choose a convention city from
a list including Detroit, Cleveland,
Chicago and Kansas City, but wheth-
er any member actually intends to
do this could not be confirmed.
With the selection of convention
city thrown once more into uncer-
tainty, delegations representing CleYe-
land and Chicago opened headquar-
ters and Philadelphia, which over
the weekend dwindled to a, remote
possibility, pressed their campaigns
with renewed vigor
With the addition to the ranks of
early comers, it appeared as if the