Evening star., 1933-04-09
BY DOLLY GANN.

BY DOLLY GANN.
My brother Charles, my HUSBAND
Billy and arrived in Kansas City fol
the Republican Nationals Convention OF
1923 the Sunday before it opened. With
us, was my niece, Leona, Mrs. Knight
She and stayed at the home of Mrs
Jacob L. Loose, while Billy went with
Charles to the Curtis headquarters in
the Hotel Muehlebach.
Mrs. Loose had an interesting house
party, including advocates of the various
presidential candidates. Helen Cannon
daughter of Uncle Joe Cannon, was
supporting former Gov. Frank o. Low
den.- Secretary and Mrs. Jardine were
for Herbert Hoover. Other guests were
Senator James E. Watson of Indiana,
active for his own candidacy, and Mrs.
Watson We were flght-to. the finish
foes in the convention, but all good
friends under Mrs. Looses roof. Mrs.
Loose is one of the most experienced
entertainers know.
Leona, her brother Harry and myself
were. the handy ieutenants at the
Muehlebach receiving visitors, running
hither and thither among the delegates.
AS the convention crowds gathered there
was seeming confidence among con-
testants IN the presidential race, but no
certainty. The Hoover people had ar
rived early and were the most numer-
GUS. Publicly they proclaimed salts
faction over the situation; privately
they were not so sure.
Gov. LoWden'S followers counted heav-
lily on the agricultural States, and also.
Lowden was thought to be the alter
ego of Gen. Charles G. Dawes. Many
delegates favored Lowden because they
thought he should have been the nomi-
nee at Chicago in 1920.
Senator Watson had the support OF
the Indiana delegation, and few more
because of his popularity. Everybody
likes Jim Watson. He has been a
familiar figure at conventions, on the
stump, and at the Capitol in Washing
ton ever since I can remember.
Senator Guy D. Goff led the West
Virginia delegation, which he had be-
hind him in addition to many delegates
favorable to Gen. Dawes yet opposed to
Gov Lowden. Mr.. Goff was the most
militant aspirant.
Brothers Candidacy.
My brother had not announced his
candidacy until late the previous Oc-
tober. He preferred to wait until he
knew President Coolidge not only would
not be candidate, but would refuse the
nomination even II drafted. was much
excited over brothers announcement,
and it occurred to me Charles should
have the formal Endorsement of leading
Kansa1s. I went to Topeka and tele-
phoned our old friend. Chief Justice
william A. Johnston, of the Kansas
Supreme Court. He and all the other
members of the court, Senator Capper
and many more leaders in politics gave
me strong Endorsements for publication.
To work for my own brothers candi-
dacy was the greatest Joy OF my life.
felt that if Grandmother Curtis could
have looked down from her celestial
height and beheld her grandson q can
didate for President, her heart would
have overhowed. I know mine did. NO
thrill approaching 1t had I ever expert
enced. 1t was the climax of my hopes
and aspirations. That they were not
realized is beside the point. This con-
vention upon which the greatest drama
of my life was being played. whether
we won or lost.
While the Hoover prospects were the
talk of the country, we had high hopes.
Mr.. Hoover's great reputation, acquired
in war times and since, gave him an
advantageous position, but he was q
newcomer in politics. 1t was pointed
out that while he had done brilliant
war work, he had had no political ex-
perience, and he was said to be unfa-
miliar with the processes of legislation.
In addition, many old line Republicans
were loath to give him preference over
one who had worked faithfully for the
party nearly forty years.
With no intention OF endanger1ng
Republican harmony, we put up real
Hoover supporters sought to eliminate
other candidates, particularly Curtis, by
circulating stories that these candi-
dates were not in earnest. but in reality
were hoping for the vice presidency.
Upon his arrival, brother issued state
ment which hit back at the Hoover on
slaught, and while it did not mention
Hoover by name, it evidently struck
home, as the stories about the vice
presidency stopped abruptly. In this
statement Charles said the Republicans
could not afford to nominate a candl-
date who would put the party "on
the defensive from the day he Is
named"
1t was thought Secretary Mellon
would control the Pennsylvania delega-
ton and largely dominate the conven-
ton. He preceded the delegation, Wnlcn
came by special train.
Caucus Ended Curtis Hopes.
What happened Wnlle tne Train was
on the way we never learned. But TO
our amazement william s. Ware OF
Philadelphia announced he would vote
a majority of Pennsylvania delegation
for Hoover. caucus of the Pennsyl-
vanians was held and, on motion OF Mr.
Mellon, it was decided to cast the
States vote for Hoover. This practically
ended the hopes of Lowden, Watson
Goff and Curtis.
An amusing incident was the ap-
pearance of Col Theodore Roosevelt at
a dinner given for Charles by the Trav-
cling Mems National Association. Young
Teddy was a member of the association
and a strong Hoover supporter. Hs
was invited as personal friend ol
brothers and was called upon to SPEAK
Later he hurried to Hoover meeting
in the same building. We heard they
refused to admit him because he hae
been at our party. They thought NJ
had Topped to Curtis.
When the nomination OF Mr.. Hoover
had been settled in the convention over
lures were made to my brother to be-
come a candidate for Vice President