Evening star., 1928-03-04
MELLON BLOC SEEN
LOOKING TO HOOVER
Woman Candidates on Dele
cate Slate Viewed Favor
able to Secretary.

| Special Dispatch TO The Star.
HARRISBURG, Pa. March 3.-Al-
though indications grow that the Mel
Ion organization is looking more and
more favorably toward the Hoover cam
didacy, Hoover hackers in this State
are overlooking no opportunities to cryS-
tallizc sentiment in favor of the Sccre-
tary4 of Commerce. and thereby compel
the Melons to take public cognizance
of the public feeling.
Outwardly. there has been no change
in the decision of the Mellon leader
ship to send 70 uninstructed votes to
Kansas City. but in several Of the con-
gressional districts candidates who
have been closely allied with the Mellon
organization have filed their petitions
to have names printed on the ballot,
with the supplemental promise to sup
port the popular choice" of their dis
trict for presidential nomination. Max
ing of the pledge is entirely voluntary
with the delegates.
Women Are Favored.
There has been one indication of
Mellon feeling which has not been lost
on political leaders OF the State. w. l..
Mellon who acts in political matters for
his uncle. Secretary of the Treasury
Mellon some weeks ago said there Is
large amount Of Hoover sentiment In
Pennsylvania. particularly among the
women" Several days ago Mellon, as
Republican State chairman, announced
the seven delegates at large and seven
alternate delegates at large whom the
Republican organization will support.
The significant feature Is that every
one OF the seven alternates is woman,
and that one of the seven delegates at
large is also woman.
The Melons say selection OF 8
women for the IA honor places Is
merely a recognition of the woman
voters Hoover followers believe it is a
recognition OF the Hoover sentiment
among women. Both may be right.
The seven delegates at large who will
receive support of the Mellon forces In
western Pennsylvania. the Ware organl-
cation in Philadelphia and Of allied
leaders in interior counties. consists Of
Secretary Mellon. Secretary of Labor
Davis. Senator Ware. Gov Fisher. Chair
man Mellon. Mrs. Worthington Scran-
ton. vice chairman of the State COM
mittee and Ralph Beaver StrasSburgcr.
Norristown publisher. Strassburger in
1924 defeated former Gov. P!nchot for
delegate at large.
Hoover Men Busy.
Meanwhile. Hoover for President men
have been busy independently OF what
ever the organization may do for their
candidate. The ma loritv OF the positive
work for Hoover has come thus far
from the western counties close to
Pittsburgh, home OF the MELONS.
On Thursday there was political
surprise when Franklin p Booth. Pitts
burgh, filed petitions from five counties
surrounding Pittsburgh. to have his
name printed on the ballot as candidate
for Republican delegate at large. Across
the face OF his petition was written.
the first candidate TO file petitions
pledged to an individual candidate. as
we'll as the first not named on the slate
announced by Chairman Mellon
From the same counties several dis
trict delegates have announced them
selves as Hoover candidates. but in Al
ing their papers. either have made no
pledge or have promised TO support the
popular choice"
II petitions are TO be filed here. as
rumored. to place the name of Hoover,
Smith or any other presidential cam
didates on the primary ballots 10 re-
|EiNC dosulltdSG Vi tl!S pIElEtGI1t!dl
vote, such action must be taken before
O'Clock Monday afternoon. and the
papers must contain signatures from at
least 10 counties. Filing OF the papers
has been anticipated as. a means of
garnering some delegates who have
pledged TO support the popular choice
OF their districts.
LastAiinute Change.
II the intimation from Democratic
nationals committee headquarters in
Washington that no half votes will be
tolerated In the Houston convention Is
.ollowed 1t will necessitate laSt-min-
, ute change In plans among Democratic
leaders In Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania
| Is entitled TO four votes at large and
the plan had been to follow the meth
cd used in 1924. OF electing four men
and four women as delegates at large.
each With one-half vote With Mon
day the last day for filing petitions. and
| the announcement made In Washington
as recently as Thursday. hurried
| changes must be made to realign the
Democratic ticket for delegates at
large
| The change. however. Is not expected
| 10 affect the total vote for any prcsi-
! Dental candidate in the Pennsylvania
! oeicRation. 1t appears likely that the
| eight half votes would have been for
| Gov. Smith OF New York and with
| iour Instead OF eight delegates at large,
IL is Just rs likely that all the dele
gates at large will favor Smith
| WALTER d. ROOS
l