The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-05-18
Huge G. P. Rally
to Start Campaign
BY RAYMOND CLAPPER

CLEVELAND May 1910 get the Republican
~ campaign off to flying start, preparations are
being made here for what is expected to be the
biggest political rally ever held in this country.
1t is to be staged in the open air stadium on
the lake 'front.' just step from the convention hail.
either Friday or Saturday night of convention week.
the second week in June. Convention managers eX-
pect to pack 125 900 people into the stadium. EXcur
Sions being organized from all surrounding
states The program will be broadcast nationally. De-
feated candidates for the nomination will be asked
to appear and pledge their support to the party's
nominee before this vast audience.
That will put it up TO Senator Borah to say at
once what he will do with that bolt he has carried
around IN his pocket.
The only trouble is that convention managers
don't know whether Landon, if nominated, will APP
pear He wants to have old-fashioned American
notification ceremony at Topeka later in the sum-
mer.
However, some party leaders feel that the cam
paign not wait and should go into high gear
Immediately after the nomination is made, while
national interest is keyed up. On the other hand,
they agree that Landon should have time to prepare
his acceptance speech deliberately, since it will be
the key utterance of the campaign
Landon does not intend to attend the convention,
although his father and daughter Peggy will be
here If nominated. he probably would have to fly
TO Cleveland to get here in time for the rally. Con-
vention leaders would be satisfied with compro-
mise; that is, having Landon appear to say brief
word of greeting, pledge himself t. the platform,
and perhaps outline his general philosophy but
reserve detailed discussion of the issues until later
notification ceremonies.
Yet that would tend to make the trip of a large
solemn plug-hat notification committee to Topeka
weeks later, and the candidates equally solemn
acceptance, lock trif1e farcical.
A MOTHER reason party leaders want Landon, if
IN he is nominated they expect he will be- to
come personally to Cleveland is that they have
some important business to talk over with him.
1t relates to the national Craftsmanship.
John D. Hamilton aggressive young red-headed
Kansas national committeeman, is Landons pre-
convention manager. He has driven his Landon
organization work with the energy of Kansas
bull.
Some of the older heads on the national commit
tee have been knocked around in the rush and they
nursing bruises. They passing revenge
few weeks ago when they combined to pillow under
Hamiltons candidate for keynoter, and substituted
Senator Frederick Steiwer.
Now of the Eastern party leaders like
Charles D. Hilles of New York. are apprehensive as
to whether Hamilton may not be hiding his time to
take turn with the razor-strop.
1t is recognized that Landon, as the nominee
could scarcely do other than name Hamilton ma
tonal chairman. National committee members viii
unanimously elect any one Landon suggests But
what some of them want is to persuade Landon
TO pick board OF strategy. officially unoicially
The matter isn't very serious in itself but it
might easily become Senator Borah and others
are complaining that Landon is being backed Sc
cretly by the old crowd which always has
run the Republican National Committee.