Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-20
HOOVER GAIN inks
NEW YORK LEADERS
Boom in State Spells HilIes-
Morris Plan to Leave
Field Open.
BY LOUIS SEIBOLD.
Special Dispatch 10 The Star.

Special Dispatch 20 The Star.
NEW YORK, January 20-The
steady growth OF Hoover sentiment
among New York Republicans is cauS-
ing leaders OF the organization good
deal more concern than they care TO
admit. They do not appear to be as
confident as they were a month ago
that they will be able 10 get away with
the "open-fiel6" plan sponsored by Ma
tional Committeeman HilleS and State
Chairman Morris, who persist in their
declaration that they arc neither for
nor against the Secretary Of Commerce.
Recent maneuvering clearly eStab-
fishes the fact that the washington
group" headed by Ogden Mills, Is max
ing il unusually lively for the HllleS-
Morris combination While reports OF
reprisal are denied by Hilles and Nor
ris. there is little question they have
called upon upstate leaders, who usually
respond TO the influence Of the State
committee to rally 10 the support of the
plan OF neutrality.
Farley Avoids Selection.
One immediate effect OF the call to
arms was the decision Of the agricul-
tural conference held at Albany 10 re-
frain from officially expressing any pref
erence on presidential candidates.. &C
cording 10 the leaders siding with Mills,
however. who is openly advocating the
Endorsement of Secretary Hoover. Sentl-
ment favorable 10 the latter Is rapioiy
increasing in the rural sections OF the
State.
Prediction IS made in this quarter
that a showdown in the State committee
would confirm the claim OF Hliles and
Morris that their plan Of neutrality
would be upheld by a substantial ma
iority. II is likely that the present state
Of uncertainty Will continue until Mr..
Morris decides that the time has come
for a test of strength between the
the open field.
In the meantime party discussions Of
presidential eventualities are much more
literally favored With favorable refer
ences 10 Vice President Dawes, former
Gov. Lowden of Illinois and Senator
Charles Curtis OF Kansas who are gen.
orally regarded as active competitors Tor
the presidential prize. The Vice Presl-
dent seems to be coming in for more
attention than either LoWden or Sem
ator Curtis There exists fairly def
mite impression among aoherents OF
Hoover and the neutrals that the at
tractiveness OF Vice President Dawes
will be widely exploited TO offset the
Toe winch SetllS 10 OG ScitIls AKA W.
ward Hoover.
Presidents Attitude Debated.
The position OF President Coolidge on
the Hoover proposition is admittedly
matter OF great concern 10 the rival
groups Hoover's friends feel justified
IN asserting that the President would
be greatly gratifled with the nomination
Of his Secretary Of Commerce. The
neutrals argue the other way. They
prophesy with apparent confidence that
the President will refrain from express
ing himself one way or the other. and
will not in any way attempt 10 influence
the judgment Of the State organization.
Friends Of Hoover do not expect that
the President will permit himself TO be
involved In any disputes over candi-
dates. They are confident that they
viii not need any help from that quar-
ter and are already counting on elect
ing a ma jority OF the Sc district dele
gates at the Spring primary.
II always has been the policy OF the
New York Republican organization 10
send an uninstructed delegation 10 the