The Washington times., 1935-12-02
MIDDLE W ES I
-. SEES FIGHT
FOR VOTES
By EARL GOODWIN

ny GAANA NOO"AN
The greatest struggle on the
cards today is the fight for the
Middle West where President
Roosevelt will speak December 8
before the American Farm Bu-
reau Federation convention in
Chicago: and where Borah, Knox
and Landon, all toplinerS and
growing more powerful every
day, eulogized in a free-for-al
scramble for delegates to the Re
publican nominating convention.
Col. Frank Knox, Chicago
publisher, listed by many as the
strongest probability for the
nomination, does not have 1t all
his own way in Illinois. He has
powerful newspaper and tinan'
cial interests against him, as
we'll as strong friendly Republi'
can backing.
His main trouble this minute
Is the reported determination Of
Senotor William E. Borah'S
friends to rust the State for its
So delegates. This is reported
to be a devious move to elimi-
nate the Hoover strength, what
ever that may be, from the H.
linois picture. Colonel Knox is
we'll Hooverized and is presum-
ably the former Presidents fair.
haired boy right now.
Would Help Landon
The move formulated by the
Borah forces. therefore, If carried
through, would aid Governor Ian
don, of Kansas, who is picking up
strength with remarkable speed.
Large interests in the G. o. p,
who want success, but who fear
they would not get anywhere with
a Hooverized candidate, are turn
ing more and more to the modest
Kansas governor whose budget
record is attracting attention.
Colonel Knox ran into more
trouble today with the publication
of a letter from the National Econ
omy League, in which the league
charged the Chicago colonel is
playing politics with the bonus.
Colonel Knox favors paying the
bonus out of work-relief funds. But
hard-boiled conservatives, such as
those represented by Henry Cur
ran, Economy League chief, would
not give their support to any can
didate advocating m m d ate
bonus payments. incidentally. Ad-
ministration Democrats believe
the bonus will be passed next ses-
sion by enough votes to insure it
against presidential veto. which
is expected in Legion circles.
If this happened, the President
would enter campaign with a
record Of having stood out against
the American Legion, which would
have carried its point. The Treas
ury cannot stand bonus payment
now without further borrowing or
taxation, and the Republican field
of candidates would have lively
question: Where to get the money?
Middle West Republicans OF
the Chicago businessman type are
cautiiusly studying the chances
of men like Senator Borah and
Senator Vandenberg, both Of
whom are looked upon as too
closely allied to policies Of the
Roosevelt administration. Neither
one of these Senators has any
such publicity machine as that
of Colonel Knox but both have
friends scattered all over the
country
One item of strength for Sena-
tor Borah is his widespread popu.
1arity and acquaintance. Many
Of "the boys around the court
house" are for Senator Borah.
That means the county and State
politicians, whose caucuses and
preliminary registration votes can
determine the complexion Of the
delegates to the Republican con.
vention. think Senator Borah the
only Republican who can win
against Franklin D. Roosevelt.
However Governor Landon is
said to be planning a little visit
ing here and there soon so that
the political leaders who Judge by
votegetting abilities can take a
look at the kansas Coolidge"