Evening star., 1936-06-01

In the way that conventions some
times crystalline in advance. It u
apparent that the stats Of mind of
the delegates, and other conditions.
point toward an open convention, un-
planned and unrushed, with oppoy-
tunity Of the delegates to hear
speeches, compare ideas and consult
leaders.
One factor making for this kind Of
convention Is the absence of powerful
leaders. No one has to this Repub-
ltcan Convention the relation that
Postmaster General Farley will have
to the Democratic one. When Borah
the other night tried to call a roll of
organization leaders who dominate
the Republican party. he could find
only four names, and one Of those I
never heard Of. Borah was applying
the terminology Of an older time to
conditions which have changed. In
the Republican party today there are
not even any strong leaders having
Statewide dominion, nor powerful
heads Of compact city organiza tions.
With the possible exception Of Rora-
back Of Connecticut-and I am not
familiar enough with the facts to be
sure that even he Is an exception-I
doubt much whether there Is any
leader who has control of his own
State delegation, using the word "con-
troll" in the old sense. In the Repub-
lican party there is no equivalent of
what Senator Guffey is to the Demo-
cratic party in Pennsylvania, or Frank
Hague in New Jersey.
Delegates Hold Whip.
In the coming Republican Conven-
ton there will be no Hanna or Quay
or Platt. 1t will come closer to ex-
pressing the spontaneous ideas of the
delegates in the mass than any con-
vention in either party during many
years. In such a convention, If any
reason or emotion develops unfavor-
able to Landon, conceivably he might
not be nominated in spite of his pres
ent headship in the race. But that Is
a very long chance.
The possibilities other than Landon
are few. In the common Judgment,
the possibility next to Landon is Sem
stor Vandenberg OF Michigan. But no
one Is putting energy or organization
into the idea Of nominating Vanden-
berg. II there Is formidable popular
support for him, 1t has not had
chance to express itself, for vanden-
berg has not run in any primaries.
He seems not to care for the nomina-
ton himself.
Friends Of Col. Knox continue TO be
energetic and to express confidence.
There are some who continue to think
Senator Dickinson Of Iowa may be the
beneficiary Of convention develop
ments. Some political gossip gives
thought to ex-Gov. Lowden Of Illinois,
because Of his character and stand
ing, in spite Of his age. which is rs.
Some observers regard Senator
Steiwer Of oregon as a possibility in
the event that the convention does not
crystalline early for Landon. Senator
Steiwer has been chosen as temporary
chairman Of the convention, and in
that role will make the keynote"
speech. This function is always
favorable opportunity for the speaker
to have the convention get an i'm
preston Of his personality. If the
convention thinks well of him, and If
the initial inclination to nominate
Landon should not come to fruit. in
that event, Senator Steiwer might
profit. He is quiet, strong, good-Iook-
ing in the best sense, and in the Sem
ate is much respected for wisdom and
dependability. Assuming the pres
idential nomination goes as seems Or
dained, to Landon. it might readily be
that the convention would consider
Senator Steiwer for the vice presiden-
tial place on the ticket.
tCopyright. 1880