The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-12-17
NEW DELEGATE
SYSTEM SPURS
HOOVER HOPES
Revision Greatly Improves
Presidents Chances of
denomination.
5 STATES ARE ENOUGH
DryS, Too, Benefit by
G. O. P. Change in Con-
Vention Representation.
BY RAY TUCKER
Times Staff Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.-UnlesS
President Hoover withdrawS volun-
tarily, his denomination was regard
ed as more likely to-day as a result
of repairs to the Presidents politi-
cal fences made by his friends in
control Of the Republican national
committee.
Even if Calvin Coolidge or
Charles G. Dawes Succumb to in
sistent pleas that they let their
names be used in an Hoover
movement, revision of the system
for selecting delegates to the next
national convention and retention
of Hooyer'S personal admirers in
key places will give Hoover a big
advantage at the Chicago conven-
ton next June ii.
Under the system of increasing
the delegate strength of states
which went for Hoover in 1928, in
Guiding such Democratic strong
holds as Virginia, North Carolina,
Florida and Texas, Hoover can win
a clear majority even though he
has only the delegates from thir-
teen southern and border states,
and five other delegations usually
loyal to the man in the White
House.
Five States Are Enough
There has been a net gain of
forty-two delegates among the thir-
teen border and southern states,
which now have total of 269. To
obtain a majority of SIT out of 1854,
it is only necessary for Hoover to
get the support of the delegations
from New York, Pennsylvania, Cali
fornia, Illinois and Indiana. These
give him a total of 600 delegates,
and the addition of New Jersey and
Ohio would make it 670.
Republican delegates from the
south already are assigned to the
presidential chariot by all political
factions, largely through the effec-
tive patronage work of Postmaster
General Walter F. Brown.
In the five other states needed
for majority, Hoover can lay claim
to the support of influential figures,
and no sign of revolt appears on
the political landscape there.
Drys Gain Advantage
Similarly, the dry states have
been given increased representation.
The dry delegations will appear at
Chicago with net gain of about
fifty, while the vets have lost, if
anything.
Both changes resulted from the
decision that states which went for
Hoover in 1928 should be allotted
three additional delegates at-large,
and each district which cast 10000
Republican votes should be allowed
another delegate.
There was some grumbling at the
re-allocation, which gives Texas rs
new delegates, 10 more to Virginia.
6 more to Florida, more to North
Carolina and leaves such c.. o. P.
territory as Pennsylvania and Illi-
noiS without change.
Leaders Praise Revision
Ancient Republican citadels like
Indiana. Massachusetts,, Vermont,
Rhode Island and Maine were cut.
Twelve delegates were taken from
the progressive states of Nebraska,
Minnesota, Iowa and the Dakotas.
AS if they anticipated difficulty
in obtaining ratification of this ar
rangement, both FeSs and James F.
Burke of Pittsburgh, committee
counsel, praised those who effected
1t, and explained that any seeming
unfairness was due to mathematical
rather than political considerations.
In any event, the anti-Hoover
groups, including progressives and
conservatives, can sweep almost
every presidential primary in dis
gruntled and independent regions
OF the industrial north and agri-
cultural west without making a dent
in the presidential steam roller.