The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-02-13
Secretary Authorizes Use of
Name on Ohio Ballot;
See Bitter Fight.
CHALLENGE TO WILLIS
Cautions Against Spending
Huge Fund; Backs
Coolidge Policies.
BY PAUL r.. MALLON
United Press STAFF Correspondent

GoAAlpdASAt AOI GIlG fI6puDllC1n preS1-
dental nomination was brought
into the open today by announce
ment Of Secretary of Commerce
Herbert Hoover that he will be a
receptive candidate.
The announcement came as a
challenge to Senator Frank B.
Willis, who has sought to be Ohio's
favorite son candidate, and it pre-
saged a bitter battle for delegates
OF that key State.
Hoover wrote a letter to Col.
Thad Brown Of Columbus, author
izlng entry of his name in the Ohio
primary, cautioning against exces-
slve campaign expenditures and
pledging continuation of Coolidge
policies If he is selected party
standard bearer.
Stiff Fight Is Promised
Willis Immediately served notice
upon Hoover that the contest for
the Ohio delegates would be no
child's play. He told the United
Press that as yet he had not had
time to analyze the Hoover state
ment, but that "Mr. Hoover will
know after the primary whether
he acted wisely upon the advice of
the few friends he has in Ohio"
The method of Hoover's an
nouncement gave an impression of
the battle that is to come. Several
weeks ago Willis announced he
would seek Ohio's delegation. His
friends said he hoped for a deadlock
in the convention similar to that
which resulted ia~l920 in the un-
expected nomination Of Warren G.
Harding of Ohio.
At that time, Hoover'S friends
went to Willis and asked him to
agree to naming Hoover as Ohios
choice. Willis told them he would
not countenance selection Of any
second choice and that his dele
gates must be pledged to him from
start to finish.
Hoover's Ohio supporters resisted
Willis stand and last week organ
ized at Columbus to request Hoo
yer to run against Willis in their
State. Brown was selected to pre-
sent the letter to the secretary, and
Hoover answered, formally an
bouncing his national candidacy.
Hills Machine Strong
Politicians have known for weeks
chat Hoover soon was to make his
announcement.
Following his flood relief activities
last summer boom started for him
IN the South, and his friends claim
they have lined up most If not all
of the Southern delegations. His
hdherents say they believe he will
go into the Kansas City convention
with All of the 545 delegates neces-
eary for choice.
His opponents have been at work
eust as long and just as hard. When
b movement was started to pledge
The big New York delegation to
Hoover, Charles D. Hills, Republic
an national committeeman there,
succeeded. in negotiating an agree
p1ent to keep that States delegates
alnpledged. Hills has indicated he
favors President Coolidge's renomi-
nation.
Similarly, some influential Re-
publican leaders in Pennsylvania,
indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Kansas
have manifest desire passively to
resist the Hoover movement. Hoo
Ser's friends say he probably will
not contest the favorite sons Of In
diana and Kansas and probably will
not go into Illinois, but he may en-
Der Pennsylvania.
Just how Hoover will fare in the
Ohio fight Is matter of conjecture.
willis twice has been elected Sena-
kor since he was Governor. He has
b strong political organization,
whereas Hoover has thus far only
the nucleus of the opposition to
Willis which he hopes to build up.
Wonder About Coolidge
If Hoover manages to take a third
of the delegation away from Willis
his friends would be happy, they
say now. But they think he has a
good chance to get more.
There has been deep interest in
the suggestion that Coolidge might
follow the custom of many Presi-
dents and name someone to carry
on for him. Hoover's friends be-
1ieve he will be the man if the
President chooses to select anyone.
Usually the President and Hoover
have been in close accord as to
policies. They have had no differ
.ences except a slight misunder-
standing during Hoover's flood relief
work which was Strengthened out
emicably.
Coolidge himself never has init
mated what action he would take,
but he has left the impression with
those close to him that he will keep
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