The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-06-04
STOP ROBINSON
AT START, IS
PLAN OF FOES
Coup Organized to Block
Nomination on First
Ballot.
PAYNE READY TO ENTER
Other HopefuIS Encouraged
to Divide Senator's
Strength.
BY JAMES DOSS
Times staff Writer


Robinson on the first ballot to-
morrow at the Republican state
convention was being planned to-
day as foes of the junior senator
canvaSSed the sentiment among
out-State leaders.
Senator Robinson today refused
to estimate the number of delegates
pledged to him in the G, o. P. state
convention tomorrow in Cadle tab
ernacle, but said, We've got
enough"
Unable to get one strong candi-
date in the field for the senate
nomination, the Robinson foes
strategy was reported to be direct
ed toward getting a group of senate
hopefuls out, on the theory that
the more there are in the race on
1.-THE first ballot the more the in
cumbent senator's strength can be
impaired
There are only two avowed oppo-
nents Of Robinson. They are for
mer Governor Harry G. Leslie and
William G. Dennis, former Earlham
college president.
However, the entry of Gavin L.
Payne, Indianapolis broker, appears
virtually assured and there are sew
eral others, any of whom is likely
to permit his name to be brought
before the convention. Among these
are Thomas A. Daily, Indianapolis;
George Barnard, Newcastle, and
Gus Condo, Marion.
Leaders Arrive
Arrival of Republican leaders
from outlying sections of the state
is said to have disclosed a surprising
momentum to the stop Robinson"
campaign and several other Incl
dents are regarded as significant
strawS in the wind.
Former Senator James E. Watson
originally was scheduled to place
Robinson in nomination, but Jim
doesn't want any part of Lii
Arthur noW-if he ever did.
Some of my friends may be can
didates," is Mr.. WatSons artful way
of ducking. 1t first was reported
that Jim would find it convenient
not to be here for the convention,
but he apparently decided there
wasn't any point in being circuitous
about the business.
Coffin Openly Hostile
Too, there is the open enmity of
George v. Cap Coffin to Robin
son. Cap" generally is credited
with putting Robinson in the SEN
ate and the Marion county Repub-
lican political boss is reported
ranking under the lack of atten-
ton paid him by Robinson since
the latter got big ideas about his
political Importance, not as a sem
ator, but as to his power in the
party.
It was Robinson's decisions that
led him to attempt to control the
Republican state committee and
that move was the spark to the
finder. Since then, the flame of
opposition has been mounting.
Exclusion of Robinson from the
speaking program of the conven-
ton tomorrow is a blow to the SEN
ator's prestige. He had counted on
being the convention keynoter and
thus would have been in a position
to launch a typical Robinson Grade
ut President Roosevelt and the
new deal.
Imrie to Preside
Tentative arrangements to be
passed on today by the state COM
mittee call for eselection of Nor
man A. Imrie, Culver, as the con-
Vention president.
Mr.. Imrie was selected by an
arrangements committee comprised
of Ewing Emison, Vincennes; Mrs.
Eleanor Barker Snodgrass, Nash
vile; Ralph Gates, Columbia City;
State Chairman Don B. Irwin,
Frankfort, and Secretary Harry C.
Fenton, Indianapolis.
The Rev. Dan Hogan, Kokomo,
was named to pronounce the invo-
cation and Miss Mary Sleeth, Rush
vile, was named chief usher. Har-
old F. Van Orman, Evansville, for
mer lieutenant governor, is men
toned for Craftsmanship of the i'm
portant resolutions committee.
Otner OfncerS Named
Harry w. Thompson, Versailles,
Indiana Republican Editorial Asso-
citation president, will be convention
secretary, and Ben Bartlett, Evans
vile, will be sergeant-at-arm
The platform makers are facing a
problem.
There is a strong sentiment
among Republican industrialists for
repeal of the gross income tax, but
it was reported a straight-out re-
peal plank will not be offered and
that the only suggestion will be for
revisions that will make it more
equitable.
With Robinson out of the speak
ing arrangements, it is probable that
national affairs vii be dealt with
lightly and that Governor Paul ".
McNutt and his liquor control plan
will be the principal targets.
State Ticket Fight Looms
Second only to the senate fight is
the battle for places on the state
ticket.
Chief among the state ticket con-
tests, apparently, will be that for
secretary of state where there are a
half dozen strong candidates.
Fred Woodward, South Bend. will
come to the convention with solid
block of 129 votes from the Third
district. Equally strong is Mayor
Roswell o. johnson, Gary, who is
reported to have Lake county's los
votes in the bag.