Evening star., 1936-06-21
JOHN HAMILTON KNOWN
AS SURE, SWIFT WORKER
Kansan's Pointed Reply to Farley's Blast
Must Have Surprised Democratic
Chairman.

loafed, he worked and won the nomi-
nation and the election.
That was only the beginning. Work
ing steadily and rapidly, he had be-
come a power in Topeka, before the
local leaders knew what had hap
pened. He went on to the State Leg
islature in 1924, and in 1925 became
speaker of the lower house
Although Kansas is a bone-dry State,
with only 3.2 per cent beer on sale and
that because 1t isn't recognized as in
toxicating, Mr.. Hamilton makes no
bones about taking drink now and
them
Mr.. Hamilton has been one to get
work done and quickly. Ben Paulon,
who was Governor during Mr.. Hamil-
tons terms as leader of the Legis-
lature, still shakes his head in wonder
ment when he recalls the things Mr..
Hamilton used to do in the lower
house.
Mr.. 'Hamilton's race for Governor
was the beginning of his political feud
with Mr.. Landon, although their poll
tics, since neither makes 1t q personal
matter, never affected their friendship.
Mr.. Landon's candidate for the Repub-
lican gubernatorial nomination, Clyde
Reed, won the honor from Mr.. Hamil-
ton, later winning the election.
For four years the battle continued
between the two men, and then the
two factions decided to compromise
on one man. That man was Mr.. Lam
don, but even then Mr.. Hamilton
| would not support him for the nomi-
nation, waiting until he became the
Republican candidate before taking to
the stump in his behalf. Since then,
however, they have been the closest
friends, politically as well as person.
ally.
Energy Is Thing Of Wonder.
The Hamilton energy Is thing Of
wonder to his friends. Although he
has been going top speed for the last
year pushing the Landon candidacy in
all parts of the Nation and winding up
his activities with a final big push at
the national convention, he did not
let up. He dashed into Topeka last
Monday and was of again Wednesday
afternoon for New York, after con-
ferring with the Governor and numer-
GUS national party leaders.
Nothing can stop him. During the
convention an infection developed in
cut on his chin, but he had no time
for doctor. Word finally reached Mr..
! Landon and it was only after the Gov
ernor had insisted he 60 to a doctor
that he consented. Even then 1t was
only long enough to have the infec-
ton treated, and he returned with q
bandaged jaw to place Mr.. Landons
name in nomination.
AS lawyer Mr.. Hamilton's business
has prospered over the years. He has
specialized in insurance practice and
has handled on the side most of the
malpractice cases brought against
illegal practitioners by the Kansas
Medical Society. In the latter connec-
ton he was responsible for driving out
of Kansas John r. Brinkley, the goat
gland specialist, who had built up a
tremendous practice, by seeing to it
that license was denied to him.
Never Been Divorce Lawyer.
In all his practice, however, Mr.
Hamilton has never been q divorce
lawyer-there are only two kinds, he
says, good ones and those that are
hard up-nor lawyer for a public
utility.
He is one of the most welcome fig
ures at the Topeka Country Club,
since he will wager freely on his
ability to beat all comers on the golf
course. Shooting well over 100 most
Of the time, he is fair meat for any
one happening by, since he never de-
mands a handicap.
Throughout his political life Mr..
Hamilton has had certain theories,
which he will not abandon. He has
been liberal (seeing to 1t in one in
stance that an amendment to the COM
pensation law, passed by the State
Senate at the instance of industrialists
and insurance companies, was not
passed by his body until labor amend
ments had been added), and con-
siders himself practical politician.
Right now he has job to do, and
he's taking it seriously He announced
the organization of the national cam
paign so far as officials are concerned
in short order, and is now going out to
do one of his usually thorough Jobs of
vote-getting
Why" said one friend in Topeka,
he'll have them organized right down
to the precincts-a Landon man in
every precinct in the Nation, and you
can bet your bottom dollar on it."
Copyright. 1850