The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-02-16
FEAR STEAM ROLLER


Courthouse Group Claims
120 Votes to Put Over
HendriCkSon.
Credentials in their pockets, 233
Republican precinct committeeman
trudged today to the K. Of P. hall
where ''Coffin man. waited with
Coffin gavel" to bang George Y.
Coffin, Seventh district Republican
chairman, into the city chairman
ship again.
Two anti Coffin groups, agreed on
purpose, but differing in their esti-
mates of success, gave their precinct
committeeman a pat on the back
and sent them up the elevator to
support Harry Hendrickson, attor-
ney and former county chairman,
for the post.
The courthouse wing OF anti
Coffin forces insisted at noon they
have real chance to put Hendrick-
son over. They were claiming 100
votes, three more than needed, If all
precincts are represented.
But anti-Coffin leaders from the
statehouse, representing Governor
Harry G. LeslieS determination to
unseat Coffin as a Seventh district
political power, were skeptical of
success in today's engagement.
Fearful of Steam Roller
Court house -Coffin-ites were
fearful that the election would be
steam-roliered. They also were un-
easy lest precinct committeeman on
whom they are counting, be divesteo
of their credentials and vacancies
filled at the last minute by Coffin
apopintrnents.
The city convention was to be
e9lled to order at l p. m.
nn'S henchmen kept secret
candidate for temporary chair
at the meeting. Much depends
ne meeting chairman, who, ap-
ted by Omar Hawkins, county
imam and Coffin's right hand
can W5 the gavel to suit de-;
ids OF t lntrolilng faction.
ara M. 7 IS, who has raped
the shillal l previous meetings,
said he h; sclined to serve as
temperora chairman. Schuyler
Haas, also 9eteran in the presid-
ing business and likely selection
today, declined to say who would
have the job.
Coffin forces were meeting this
morning to decide on a temporary
chairman.
Fourth Ward Is Supreme
Hawkins put out the word that
there was no possibility of Cofiins
defeat and secuted the report that
Coffin's candidacy was a, smoke
screen" and that dark horse.
backed by Coffin, would be non1i-
mated. Hawkins also said there was
no possibility of a compromise on
the candidate for the city chair
manShip.
The Coffin hackers admitted sur
prise at the results of the Fourth
ward committemen's vote Friday
night and spent most of the eve
ming phoning to find out about it.
The Nineteen precinct leaders who
attended the caucus voted Is to s
for Hendrickson. A poll of the
eleven who did not attend revealed
six more votes for Hendrickson,
County Clerk George o. fIutsell.
Fourth ward chairman, said.
A recheck by anti-Coffin forces
revealed 120 votes for dendrickson,
it was announced today. This fol-
lowed another meeting Friday night
in which the opponents declared
they counted "only sure votes"
Young Is in Race
Two hundred and thirty-three
committeeman are to attend this
afternoons meeting and it takes a
vote Of lit TO elect.
w. Todd Young, seventh ward
chairman, whose political name was
made for him by Coffin, but who
claims he has severed his con-
nection with the organization ma
chine, announced definitely that he
was to be a candidate for the city
position.
Young has been working for
several weeks, interviewing commit
teemen in his effort to obtain their
support.
Coffin foes at the statehouse were
claiming 100 votes for Hendrickson,
"lnless strong pressure is exerted by
tie chair" In that event, they win
not be surprised If anti-Coffin votes
dwindle to half that number.
Coffin's Weapons Best
Thtst the Governor played his ace
and lost in the Republican state
committee meeting Wednesday was
the prevalent opinion in political
circles. Failing to win q revision
of rules which would have en-
powered the state chairman to name
an impartial temporary chairman
for the city meeting. Leslie then
and there lost all hope of stopping
Coffin in today's session, observers
contend.
They compared weapons" in the
hands of the two factions and were
inclined TO regard Coffin as having
the better of them. Coffin's club Is
in the shape of l65 appointments
for deputy assessors TO be named
Frank Brattin, Center township as
SCISSOR Leslie on the other hand