Evening star., 1928-04-01
FERRIS SUCCESSOR
AMAzES MICHIGAN
Green's Appointment of Van
denberg Laid to Threat of
Groesbeck Faction.
Special Dispatch 10 The star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
DETROIT. Mich. March 3f.-Michi-
gan politics became a mess this week.
Following the death of Senator Ferris,
Democrat, It was currently reported
that former Representative Fordney,
Republican. would be appointed by Gov.
Green To succeed Senator Ferris. Out
Of clear sky, Arthur II. Vandenburg OF
Grand Rapids. protege Of William Alden
Smith. former United States Senator.
was appointed by Gov Green as sue
cesor OF Senator Ferris.
Vandenburg is a Republican. His
appointment was a surprise 10 thou
sands Of Republicans in Michigan. who
had understood that Gov. Green would
appoint former Representative Fordney,
with an understanding from Mr.. Ford
ney that he would not be a candidate
for reelection. II became common
gossip after the Vandenberg appoint
ment that Gov. Green had been in
formed that II he did not appoint VAN
denberg and give Vandenberg the pres
tige of the appointment. that former
Lieut. Gov. Welsh of Grand Rapids. who
has allied with the forces Of Alex J.
Groesbeck. would become a formidable
candidate Of Vandenberg or any other
State administration candidate. Thcre
is a bitter fight on in Michigan as to
whether the Green or Groesbeck faction
Is predominant Senator CouZens was
appointed by former Gov. Groesbeck.
Restraining Order Asked.
While all of this excitement vas
under way, the Hoover-for- President
committee in Detroit was behind a
petition filed in the Circuit Court this
week to restrain John S. Haggerty, De-
fN% i've 1vzI 1t< zE $t-n
Republican committee in Detroit, from
holding caucuses to the county con-
vention in Wayne County, unless he
would announce publicly where the
caucuses were to be held and the names
of the chairmen of the various ward
caucuses. Haggerty had persistently re-
fused to give this information to the
public, and while he was announced
that he is for Hoover, the Hoover COM
mittee is behind the court action and
charges that Haggerty and his cohorts
are really endeavoring to manipulate
the election of delegates to the Kansas
City convention who viii undermine
Hoover. The selection of delegates to
the county convention is the first step
toward election of delegates to the
national convention.
The presidential preferential primary
Is to be held in Michigan April 2. The
Republicans have placed the name OF
only one candidate on this ballot. That
is Hoover.
The Democrats placed the name Of
only one candidate on the ballot. That
is Gov. Smith of New York However,
after the final date for placing the
names of candidates on the ballots had
passed. Senator Walsh of Montana an
nounced that he was a candidate on the
Democratic ticket. The late Senator
Ferris announced Immediately after the
Walsh announcement that he could not
support Smith and would support SEN
ator Walsh.
Walsh Is Supported.
Since then there has been an open
Walsh movement out State. where the
votes are dry and number Of Demo-
cratic leaders have made a public ap~
peal for their fellow partisians to write
the name of Senator Walsh on their
ballot, which Is legal.
If Senator Walsh makes good show
ing in the primary it probably viii be
a good excuse for swinging away from
Smith after the first ballot at Houston.
1t is not matter Of Law but considered
moral obligation Of Republicans and
Democrats to the national convention
to vote on the first ballot at least for
the candidates who lead the ticket on
the presidential preferential ballot.
P. c. POWELL