The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-06-07
'Draft' Faction, Working to
Deadlock ParIey, Gets
Crushing Blow.
BoRAH TO AID HOOVER
LoWden, Dawes and Curtis
Forces Plan Fight to Win
Back Delegates.
BY JOHN M. GLEISSNER
Scrinps- Howard STAFF Correspondent

Scripps- Howard Staf Correspondent
KANSAS CITY, Mo-, June T.
Word of the New York Telegram's
story that President Coolidge had
written William M. Butler that he
would not be candidate under any
circumstances caused an uproar here
among members of the Republican
National Committee and others, to-
day.
The news arrived as fast as tele-
graph wires could bring it yester-
day and Butler, chairman of the
Republican National Committee and
a close friend of Coolidge's, was be-
Seiged with inquiries
Butler insisted he had received no
word Of any kind from the White
House, and did not expect to re-
ceive any, but it was pointed out
that the letter might not reach him
until sometime day.
Although Massachusetts, Buffers
State, expressed preference for Hoo
yer, Butler has been voting with the
"draft Coolidge" faction led by Com
mitteenan Charles d. Hilles of New
York, in the contests over Southern
delegates.
Hillss was informed by the writer
of the Telegram'S story He declined
to comment on what effect it would
have on the New York delegation,
saying he did not wish to anticipate
the delegations action. He also de-
clined to express personal opinion.
Hilles has been the leading draft
Coolidge" advocate and his faction
claimed they would have $50 Cool
idge votes in the convention. The
withdrawal of Coolidge and the
nomination of Hoover will mean the
destruction of HilleS' political in
Huence.
Hilles Badly Beaten
Hilles has been beaten at every
turn in the sessions of the national
committee, although he has the open
support of Chairman Butler and
the anti-Hoover coalition Of the
western States.
The Importance of word from
Coolidge cannot be overestimated.
The possibility that he might be
persuaded to run, or that his name
might be used to bring about a
deadlock, has been the chief hope
of all the anti-Hoover groups.
His refusal to permit his name. to
be used would assure Hoover's
nomination, probably on the first
ballot.
Numerous wavering delegates,
anxious only to vote for the win
ner, would hasten to get on the
bandwagon. The eastern oligarrhy
would be left with the alterr aeve
of supporting Hoover or caHdi-
date committed to the hated
McNary- -Haugen bill.
All question of what Secretary
Mellon will do with the seventy
nine Pennsylvania votes would dis
appear, since Mellon has stated
that he favors Hoover if Coolidge
cannot be persuaded to become a
candidate.
Lowden, Watson Aids Confer
Supporters of Frank Lowden and
Senator James f. Watson conferred
today to plan moves to regain a
portion of delegates admittedly lost
to Hoover in the contest hearings
before the Republican national
committee.
Out of seventy-five contested
seats, Hoover forces gained sixty
five, including the entire Texas
delegation of twenty-six.
The allies as the forces of Low
den, Watson and Curtis have been
called, hoped to be able to contest
the decisions of the national COM
mittee before the credentials COM
mittee.
Many Of the defeated Texas dele
cation, headed by G. G. Littleton of
Ft. Worth and Representative
WurxL ach, favored going before the
convention with their claims for
Texas district delegates.
If the calculations Of the Hoover
managers here are correct his ac-
uuisition of delegates from the
South gives hin a majority Of the
l,O89 votes in tive convention, and
assures his nomil alton on an early
ballot.
Senator Borah of Idaho, it was re-
ported, definitely has decided to
swing his support to Hoover, and
will second Hoover's nomination in
the convention. Idaho's eleven votes
are pledged to Borah and he con-
trolls them.
Borah was represented as having
received his opinion when he was
satisfied that the platform would
be sufficiently explicit on the ques-
tions of prohibition and foreign
debts.
BIZ United Press
WASHINGTON June 7.-Presi-
dent Coolidge has taken definite
steps to block the movement to
renominate him.
He already has notified William M.
Butler, Republican national chair
man and close friend, Of his de-
cision, according to indications here.