Evening star., 1928-02-04

The situation was sharply defined In
the announcement at Columbus by State
Chairman Fred w. Warner that "Sena-
tor Willis is the choice of Ohio" and In
the Burton and Willis statements here
Contrasting with Burtons declaration
that Ohio favors Hoover was Warner S
contention that any such sentiment Is
manufactured"
Burton said he had made survey OF
the Ohio field and had concluded that
it was inviting Hoover's candidacy If he
would accede to the wishes Of friends
that he enter the primary He stressed
a contention that THE fact that State
has a candidate Of its own should not
preclude the people from expressing
their choice among the candidates from
other States"
Sharp Contest Promised.
Senator Willis and Burton agreed
that the contest should be a friendly
one. but Willis added that "it should
be understood by those undertaking to
violate the decencieS of politics by COM
ing into the State and causing a de-
velopment of political factions which
will have serious effect upon our ticket
for years to come. that this contest
will be no kidglove or powder puff af-
fair. Things will be called by their
right names. provided we are able to
think Of the word"
Referring TO Burton's statement that
efforts had been made toward an
agreement on selection Of convention
the Senator said the pro-
posed agreement was predicated on
conditions that no honorable man
could accept" 1T has been insisted
at times" he said. that the Ohio
delegation should be so made up that
after casting a ballot or two for me. ii
was to be delivered to Mr. Hoover. Ger
tainly no seif-respecting man would
agree to such conditions"
None OF the statements made men,
ton of prohibition. but undercurrentS
here have given indication that it will
figure 70 some extent in the campaign.
Willis supporters are confident that
their absolutely dry candidate will show
his greatest strength in the Ohio coun-
try districts. while Hoover's strength
would come from city voters. They be-
!ieve the city "wets" would support
Hoover and 1t is their hope that Sem
merce Secretary that he define his
RAA bA0Ahab1SxoAAs
See Majority for Willis.
The Willis people fully expect him TO
round up at least 80 of Ohios 81 dele
gates. but believe Hoover might capture
IL In the cities In that connection 1t
has been recalled that when the late
Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood ran against
Harding In Ohio he managed TO win
nine votes that helped make him a
prominent figure In the convention OF
The statement issued by former Sen
ator Burton was as follows:
Il have labored most earnestly for
weeks to secure agreement in the selec-
ton OF delegates TO the national Re-
publican convention.
Il have been willing-as q matter of
State pride and because of my strong
attachment for Senator Willis-to sup
port him for the presidential nomina- =
lion in the first instance, and even for
longer time In case ne should have
such support outside of the State as to
make his nomination probable.
But IL Is insisted on his behalf by
him and his friends that the delega-
ton shall vote for him through long
protracted hallotings In the hope that
there may be deadlock and the choice
VII be made in the same manner as
that OF Mr. Harding In 1890 ! do not
anticipate there will be such q dead
lock this year. although 1t is evident
hat movement is under way having
Tor It's object a situation In which q
might be selected who has
not general support.
The nomination Of O Republican
candidate Is O matter OF supreme I'M
,ortance and must be viewed from the
'roadest standpoint. irrespective OF per-
'onal or local considerations.
Wants Hoover TO Enter.
Il have made a careful survey Of
republican preferences in the State of
ono and as a result conclude that the
dominant sentiment Is for Mr. Hoover,
Il his friends wish that he should seek
he support OF the Republican voters,
md Mr.. Hoover Is willing to respond to
nat WISH. 1t Is my opinion that his
name should be entered In the primary
contest.
From long association, I have the
most friendly appreciation OF the quail
ties Of others who have been sug-
sested for the nomination and they
''A'Aaa HofI oPpOt tuility W ChSCk tttG
contest II they desire 10 do so.
The fact that a State has q candi-
date Of It's own should not preclude the
people from expressing their choice
among the candidates from other States.
II this were not so. by the simple ex-
pedient OF placing local candidate
IN the field, selecting q delegation each
member OF which must be approved by
him. and exacting pledges TO support
him 10 the end. State might be de-
prived OF any participate IN the selec-
lion OF presidential nominee,
There Is no occasion for Ill feeling,
Or anything but q friendly contest. The
issue Ia one Of such momentouS conse-
guences not only TO tho State but To
The Nation, that the choice of the voters
should have full and free expression"
Senator Willis Replies.
Senator Willis In reply TO Mr.. Bur
ton said
1t has been my experience as q
legislator that when q Representative
Or Senator about To cast his vote feels
called upon To explain his vote MS
action usually needs explanation. Sena~
tor Burton. being about TO vote. evil
IDENTIFY has felt that his course Is 10
unusual and ~ absolutely out OF har-
mony with his previous principles ana
conduct and SO contrary to the political
IDEAS OF Ohioans that his proposed
action needs explanation.
lie says that the fact that . State
has a candidate OF It's own should
not preclude the people from expressing
their choiee from among the candidates
from other states. Was this his atti~
lude In 1915. when no was candidate
Al the Chicago convention2 ! was one
II his delegates and have q rather dis
ltnct recollection that he very stfongls
upon the support Of hts native
State. lie was Justified IN his oourse,
and the State stood by him. but con-
ditiona arr different He wah tho can
didate III 1919. | am the candidate III
1928
THE Senator kindly indicates that
he has been willing 10 support me for
The presidential nomination In tho flrst
instance II may as well be- understood
A.. 4 Ar