The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-04-29

Washington, April 29.-What- ever may be its election chances next year there Is one thing the g.o.p. is sure of-a large and varied stable of willing dark horses to pick from.
 Although the nominating con. vention still Is more than year off, 8 dozen candidates al- ready have thrown their hats in the ring. , Some of the aspirants know they haven't a chance in the world. But they are busyinG themselves building up claims in the hope of grabbing off sec- ond place.
 The field of runners as 1t lines up at the starting tape to-day is as follows:
 THE LINEUP
 Herbert Hoover, 61, has told friends he is not seeking the s nominations; but neither they nor republican leaders believe he means it. The consensus of opinion among them Is that the former President still is smart ing under his 1882 defeat, would like to carry the g.o.p. banner in 1886.
 Arthur H. Vandcnbcrg, 51, lawyer, author of several books dealing with Alexander Hamil- ton and former newspaper pub fisher. Massively built, inclined to be pontitical, Vandenberg owes his prominence as a nom- ination possibility to his re- election last year as Senator from Michigan when practical ly everyone-including himself had given up hope. Vanden- burg says he Is not a presiden- tial candidate-a claim that few republican leaders will dis pute.
 Lester J. (Hell-roaring Dick) Dickinson, 62, Senator from Iowa, tall, white-maned, bull voiced, an old-fashioned high tariff republican who privately is convinced he Is the party's best bet and the most logical choice.
 Hamilton (Ham) Fish, Jr, 46, towering, wordy social register ite, a member of the House for eight terms from the district that includes the Presidents country home in New York. As captain of famous Harvard football team Fish covered himself with fame and glory and has been striving ever since to live up to that reputation. To push his nomination chances he issues statements on the slightest provocation.
 BANJO-EYES
 Glenn Frank, 48, president of the University of Wisconsin. dark, dapper, banjo-eyed and one of the most facile word jugglers in the country. He rates himself a constructive" liberal-whatever that is. Mrs Frank has assured friends tha: she "just knows Glenny will be President" Where she got this information is not divulged.
 Frank Knox, 61, full name William Franklin, burly, sandy complexioned publisher of the arch-republican Chicago Daily News and in the front rank as a serious contender. Knox has powerful political and big busi- ness backing all over the coun. try and, his friends whisper, the secret blessing of Hoover. If Knox should win the nom- ination 1t would be matter of great personal anguish to Colo mel Robert Mccormick, his rival Chicago republican pub fisher, who views Knox with strong disfavor.
 Alfred Mossman (Alf) Ian. don, AS, Governor of Kansas. A wealthy, independent oil opera tor, Landon twice has carried his state in the face of demo. cratic landslides. This and the fact that he has geography on his side has made him moro than & mere "favorite son" pos- sibility. Some of the Senate liberals who view Knox's bis business contacts with dark suspicion are decidedly cordial to Landon.
 OLD TIMERS
 Frank Finley Merriam, 70 years old. a fact he takes much