Evening star., 1928-05-13
MELLON APPROVES
HOOVER AS LEADER
AMONG CANDIDATES
Continued from First Page.)

State chairman In Massachusetts, i'm
mediately before the Massachusetts,
presidential primary, asking that his
name not be used by the voters In that
primary. Following the receipt Of the
Presidents letter. Massachusetts, gave
Mr.. Hoover an Overwhelming preference
vote In the presidential primary
1t was uncertain up to the time Of the
Pennsylvania delegations caucus yes
terday that Mr.. Mellon would say any
thing about the Hoover candidacy. II
he had made no mention of Mr.. Hoover.
the anti Hoover forces would have con-
tinued to pass the word along that MIR.
Mellcn was unfavorable and opposed TO
the nomination of Hoover.
Here In Washington last night the
Mellon statement aroused the keeneSt
interest and was the subject OF much
comment. While Senator Borah of
Idaho. who has himself been indorsed
by his own State for President. said that
the Mellon statement would aid Hoover
to the nomination and Senator Norris
of Nebraska, another favoritc son. took
much the same view, Senator Watson OF
Indiana would not agree to such prop
osition.
Senator Watson last Tuesday defeated
Hoover in the Indiana presidential
primary and won all Of Indiana'S 80
delegates to the national convention
thereby He placed a different inter-
probation on the Mellon statement. say
ing:
Putting the various parts OF the en-
tire statement together. construe 1t to
be In effect an Endorsement OF President
Coolidge by Secretary Mellon. and liter
ally a request for his denomination.
! THE significant feature of the Mellon
statement Is that he does not directly
indorse the candidacy OF Secretary
Hoover Doubtless If Secretary Mellon
were unreservedly for Herbert Hoover's
nomination, he would have said so in
unequivocal terms and would have in
sisted upon an Endorsement OF him by
the delegation. The important feature
Of the entire transaction Is that Secre-
tary Hoover sought the Endorsement OF
the Pennsylvania delegation but did not
get It,"
Curtis Is silent.
! Senators Curtis of Kansas, Goff of
| w. Va, both candidates for the nomina-
ton. and Vice President Dawes, who is
widely mentioned as a probable candi-
date in the event of tie-up In the con-
vention. would make no comment. But
Senator Borah said:
IF Mr.. Mellon meant it, 1t means
| Hoover's nomination. That Is to say.
If Pennsylvania is added TO what Hoover
at present has 1t would insure his nomi-
nation"
Senator Norris comment was that
Secretary Melons statement seemed
TO indicate that he is for Mr.. Hoover.
He added That will go a long way to
nominate Hoover. Probably 1t will do
| thai"
Tuesday New Jersey holds its primary.
with the prospect of electing a strong
Hoover delegation. 81 In number. Three
| days later Oregons primary is held. and
there. too. a Hoover delegation is slated
! to be elected. with primary instructions
to support the Secretary of Commerce.
/ These States will swell still further the
I list OF Hoover delegates.
Claims 467 Delegates.
James w. Good. former Representa-
| tive from Iowa, managing the Hoover
campaign, In statement issued last
| night claimed that ACT delegates have
already been chosen who are pledged,
| instructed or have otherwise expressed
their intention OF voting for MIR. Hoover.
| He did not include any Of PENNSYLVANIA
delegates in this list. He said;
During the last week Secretary
Hoover continued to gain delegate
| strength. The State OF Maryland elected
! 10 delegate committed to Mr.. Hoover
/ Florida elected 10 Hoover delegates.
The action of the district convention
/ held at Miami was unanimous in in
structinR for MIR Hoover.
| I'm the Florida State convention
| Thursday. four delegates at large were
instructed for Hoover. Two-thirds Of
the delegates to this convention were
| pledged in writing to Hoover, so that
/ the setting up of contesting delegation
/ was manifestly futile.
| Secretary Hoover lost in Indiana
! by only 5 per cent of the vote. but
| the popular strength developed by him
! against the whole field of presidential
| candidates was most impressive Il
was also noteworthy that Mr. Hoover
carried most OF the Republican centers
/ and several of the best agricultural
! counties in the State.
The statement OF Secretary Mellon
In Pennsylvania favoring Secretary
| Hoover foreshadows the nomination of
Mr.. Hoover"
Senator Moses OF New Hampshire
pro- Hoover, said of the Mellon state
ment. Secretary Mellon said the
right thing at the right time"