Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-26
GOVERNOR FULLER
SUPPORTS HOOVER
Backing of Secretary Rocks
Bay State Republican
Organization.

Spccia, Dispatch to The Star.
! BOSTON. Mass. February 25.--The
Republican party in Massachusetts, has
just passed through one of the most
hectic weeks in its history. For brief
time 1t looked as though its leadership
was about to be overturned. Revolt
omong the followers of Herbert Hoover
was rife, for they sensed a deep plot
whereby through the election of UNI
pledged delegates to the national con-
:'ention in Kansas City in June. they
believed present leaders were seeking
to stifle the will of the ma jority Of Bay
State Republicans and to deliver the
delegation into the hands of Hoover'S
enemies.
Gov Alvan T. Fuller. who has been
in the public eye of the Nation iNr tn.
past year as result of the Sacco-
Vanzetti case, was the first to break
away. He had been slated to head the
unpledged delegation. But when it
came to signing on the dotted line. he
became suspicious of the situation. de-
clared he did not believe in unpledged
delegations and refused to become
party to the plans of National Chair
man William NJ. Butler and State
Chairman Francis Prescott. son-in-law
of Frank w. Stearns.
Declares for Hoover.
He followed this action by declaring
that personally his inclinations all run
to Hoover. This announcement was as
great surprise to the Hoover forces
as it was to the party leaders. but 1t
resulted in sending up Mr. Hoover's
stock In Massachusetts by fully so per
cent. so great is the governors per-
sonal popularity. It brought statements
from Hoover headquarters in Boston
that showdown among the voters
would reveal Hoover 10-to-1 favorite.
In some quarters the governor
Hoover statement was not taken scri-
ously. 1t was explained in some news
papers that he was only half-hearted In
his references TO the Secretary of Com
merce. So the governor decided to
speak out again and this time to leave
no doubt as to what he felt. In pub
lie address before the Ancient and Hon.
orab'e Artillery Company he declared:
THE next President of the United
States will be Herbert Hoover or Alfred
Smith. These men possess what call
heroic ambition. without which, Dis
raeli once said, no state is stable. lack
ing which the political life is dish
church an administration, the con-
stitution a dream
Smith Hopes Viewed.
IF the Republicans put over some
candidate nominated by the bosses in
back room at 2 O'Clock in the MORN
ing. and the Democrats nominate
Smith. I believe Smith will be elected
President OF the UniCed States. On
the other hand. II the Democrats do
not nominate Smitl,. they had better
disband or else reorganize the party as
free trade council of the Ku Klux
Khan with Tom Helm as head kleagle."
The Hoover followers were quick to
make the most Of the favorable break
they had received at the governors
| hands. They had In mind putting
| big seven" slate into the field. pledged
to Hoover, with the governor at its
head, or possibly. II he would not be
delegate. to help 1t along by few
statements or speeches such as he had
already delivered.
The plan fell through. however, for
two reasons. Some OF the wiser heads
felt that while they could win with
such slate throughout the State, de-
fcating the organization group headed
by Mr.. Butler. the final outcome would
be such serious breach In the party
that Smith would ha re an easy time In
carrying the State at the election in
Novembc-.
Then Mr.. Hoover was heard from.
! He had conferred with the President in
Washington. He declared that he
would not think a opposing the or
SANITATION, which really represented the
President. He said he was following
the Presidents lead in his course and
| that he proposed. II successful. to
carry out the policies which had been
Coolidges. For these reasons, he would
not file, as required by the Massa-
chusctts law, an acceptance OF pledges
from delegates in the Office OF the
secretary OF state.
No Pledged Candidates.
The decision meant that there will
be no pledged candidates for delegates.
either at large or in districts. In Massa-
chusetts, SO far as the official ballot
Is concerned. Unofflcially, however.
the district contest viii be carried out
on straight Hoover versus unpledged
candidates. or the organization, seven
at large candidates, who will probably
no" be elected without serious oppo-
sltion. at least three and possibly four
~.
although unpledged In fact
OF the district delegates, the Hoover
forces belle e they will have about Is
Of the 80 to be selected
Thus, X present signs can be taken
as any criterion. Hoover actually will
have about 20 OF the 80 delegates to
be elected from Massachusetts with
out going through the motions OF carry
ing on a battle against the Republican
organization. SO far as outward an,
pearances and the official ballot are
concerned
In this way, Mr. Hoover will appear
TO be gaining strong support In the
Presidents State. which win be tanta-
mount TO an indication that the Presi-
dent. II not openly for him, at least
is throwing no obstacles In the way OF
his nomination. The other II votes
probably will be lined up for Vice Pres
ident Charles q. Dawes. In both
cases, the figures given do not mean
first ballot figures. for Gov. Fuller vii,
, probably be given strong vote OH the
first ballot
Division May Hold.
When the break away from favoriie
Sons comes, however. Hoover and
Dawes may expect just about such II
division of the Masssc husetts delegates
as the situation stands today.
There has been much talk Of coast
10 coast ticket Of Hoover and Fuller,
= IL organized with Gov. Ralph o,
Brewster Of Maine. who told Gov Fuller
I lie could line up every New England
! Governor for such ticket Uov.
Fuller did not appear 10 be Interested.
and did not give Gov. Brewster much
encouragement, but the talk still con-
| iinues that Gov Fuller may be "A strong
vice presidential possibility when the
! time comes,
| In many quarters II seems hardly
! likely that the convention win give any
| New England man very serious con-
! stderation when 1t Is recalled that New
! England has been represented by Cool
| idge as Vice President and then an
! Hr6hideni for the ma Il eiuhi Maars rHhni