The Washington times., 1931-09-17
STAND-PATTERS
BEGIN SWING
To HOOVER
Old Guard Again Is Lining Up;
Hitchcock Frequent Caller
As InSurgent Talk Grows
By WILLIAM C. MURPHY, Jr.

BY WILLIAM C. MURPHY, Jr.
A mobilization of Old Guard
Republican forces, presumably to
insure the denomination of Presi.
dent Hoover, is believed 10 be
discernible in several recent de-
velopmentS.
While many of the old-time
leaders were far from enthusias-
tic about Mr.. Hoovers noinina.
ton in 1928-several were active
candidates against him before
the convention-the general feel
ing now is that the party must
take its chances next year with
Mr.. Hoover as their candidate.
Progressive Looms
One of the factors contributing
to this belief is the growing
movement to put forward a Re-
publican progressive candidate
against Mr.. Hoover for the nomi.
nation. Senator William E.
BOrah (R.) Of Idaho, and Gov.
Clifford PinchOt of Pennsylvania,
have been suggested as possible
selections though neither has
committed any overt act on his
own behalf.
The conservative element in the
party fears any division of their
forces such as would be precipi-
tated by an attempt to put for.
ward another conservative against
Mr.. Hoover would be inevitably
1atal to whatever chances the
party may have in 1882. One
split in the party at a time is
enough, they believe.
Hitchcock a Caller
Frank H. Hitchcock, former
chairman of the Republican
national committee and POST
master General in the Taft Ad-
ministration, has had several
conferences with the President
recently. These meetings have
oeen announced as growing out
OF nothing more significant than
Mr.. Hitchcock's desire to shake
handS with the President.
Mr.. Hitchcock made a reputa.
tlon as a specialist in Southern
Republican delegations in the
1917 convention and he is reputed
to be still active politically in
the South and West.
Senator Simeon D. Fess of
Ohlo, chairman of the Republi.
can national committee, is sched-
uled to speak at a Republican
rally in Lehigh county, Pa, on
Saturday. This meeting is billed
as for the purpose of launching
the Republican campaign in
Pennsylvania.
State Leaders Worried
Regular Republican leaders in
pennsylvania are apprehensive
about Governor PinchOt's possible
attempt to win the State deTega-
lion to the next Republican
convention. If Pinchof
could go into the convention with
the backing of the PennSyIvania
group it would provide a substan.
tlal rallying point for other anti.
Hoover delegates regardless of
whether PinchOt had any chance
TO win out or not.
Inc recent parade of former
supporters of Calvin Coolidge tn
Mr. Hoover's Rapidan camp is
another incident that has caused
'peculation. There were the
customary denials that these
'olltlcal leaders talked politics
With Mr.. Hoover. Also there were
ienlaIS that their visits had anv.
nlng to do with an attempt fo
top a possible draft Coolidge"
movement.
United Front Needed
All of these men are leaders in
ne conservative group of the
'arty. however, and it has been
uggested they may have talked
'Ver the dangers of the growing
!emand for a Progressive candi,
late and the necessity for unit.
ng conservative support behind
me man, possibly President
Hoover.
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