Evening star., 1928-02-04
OH|OPR|MARy FIGHT
HINGES ON HOOVER
Willis Supporters Promise
Bitter Contest if Secretary
Enters Race.

Special Dispatch TO The Star.
COLUMBUS. Ohio, February 4.-Re-
publicans In both the Willis and Hoover
camps are eagerly awaiting today some
authoritative statement from Secretary
Hoover or his Ohio manager. Walter F.
Brown. as to whether Mr.. Hoover Is
really to file as a candidate in the Ohio
primaries.
Ohio newspapers this morning with
out exception interpret Senator Bur-
toms declaration for Hoover as meaning
that he viii file. and battle royal ensue
between the Secretary and the Senator
for Ohio delegates Many feel. however.
that Secretary Hoover, who Is known to
OF his manager. may not change his
view on the matter because of Mr.. Bur-
toms new position.
By the Associated Press.
Ohio. home OF many Presidents and
rich In political background. looms
large already as battlefield In the
coming presidential campaign.
Virtual certainty Of contest between
Senator Frank B. Willis and Herbert
Hoover In the preferential primary
came overnight with developments at
Columbus and here that brought 10
light an under-surface struggle for
convention delegates that has been
going on for some time
At Columbus the Republican State
committee gave a 19-to-l Endorsement
TO Willis and soon afterward Repre-
sentative Burton OF Ohio announced
here that the dominant sentiment" in
his State is for Hoover Burton urged
Secretary Hoover TO file his candidacy
and challenged Willis 10 a contest. The
Senator promptly accepted in a state
| ment that warned that this contest
will be no kid glove or powder pun
affair"
Plan Move Failed.
For several days partisans OF Senator
Willis had sought In conferences here
with friends OF Secretary Hoover to
smooth over the Ohio situation to afford
the Senator a clear field in the primary.
The statements OF Willis and Burton
clearly indicated that the parieys failed
and that IL Mr.. Hoover enters his can
didacy before the closing date, February
"A, 1t will be at least a dual contest
with interesting ramiilcations
Involved 10 a degree In the prospec-
tive scrimmage are the political for
tunes Of two other natives of Ohio who
are mentioned as presidential possibili-
ties Wee President Dawes and Speaker
| LOngworth. Also on the battlefield
anxious lest they fall AZ innocent by
| ISLANDERS when the ballot bullets begin
10 fly. are Representative Begg Who
has announced for the Republican
| nomination for governor, and Senator
Fees. who is seeking reelection.
IIongworth and Begg are understood
| 10 have kept In close touch with devel-
opments here In the Willis Hoover par
| lTys but 50 far as surface indications
go, Vice President Dawes has done no
more than reserve seat at the ring
side. Senator Fess' only comment on
the newest turn of events was that he
regretted it, and that he win stand by
EenatOr Willis. OF course"
Burton May Seek Place.
| Another possibility of the situation g.
! That II Mr Hoover decides t0 abandon
hls position III The shadows 81 tne
movement N his behalf aId step 'ntu
the sunlight ~ All entry IN the ono
! primaries, RFpres @utat!Ye Burton very
/ likely will un rs Il convention delegate
at-lafge pledged " the Commerce Sec
| retary.
II was Burton who made the Keynote
speech at the last Republican c0nven-
ton and the former Benator Is equally
CONTINUED on Page 2. Column A.