Evening star., 1936-04-26

difficult to crystaliZe or centralize this
sentiment. But now that it has been
formally declared that his name is to
be placed before the convention-al-
though he has not asked that it be
done-the Vanderberg supporters
among the delegates have place to
rally in the convention. The conven-
tion is only a little more than six
weeks away, and if there is to be a
pre-convention drive for Vandenberg
even without his own participation
it will have to take place pretty soon,
If at all.
Large Bloc Uninstructed.
As the plans for the Republican
convention are shaping up, it is ap-
parent there is to be very large bloc
of uninstructed elegates-delegate
who are not bound by instructions to
vote for any particular candidate.
There are two views of looking at
this big pool of uninstructed dele
gates. One-which is favored by the
supporters Of Gov. ALI NJ Landon of
Kansas, now reckoned the leading cam
didate for the nomination-is that
here is large bloc of delegates who
may be expected to turn almost i'm
mediately to the Kansas Governor.
Again, this uninstructed bloc of dele
gates may swing any way its fancy
wishes-to Col. Frank Knox of Illi-
nois, to Senator Vandenberg, to Sem
ator Dickinson of Iowa. to Senator
Borah Of Idaho, to Senator Steiwer of
Oregon, or to some other candidate
not now mentioned.
On the theory that a presidential
candidacy in a national convention
rolls up like a SNOWFALL. particularly
if the candidate starts with a large
block of delegates. the situation ap-
pears to favor Landon. But it is still
largely assumption. Landon will have
a good-sized group of delegates in
structed or pledged to him, and many
delegates favorable to him who are
not pledged or instructed in any way.
His managers have worked assiduously
for months to build up his strength in
many States. They will keep right
ahead with that kind of work up to
the opening OF the convention and
thereafter.
With the knowledge that Landon
has been forging ahead clearly in
mind. the other aspirants are inclined
to work together to stop the Kansas
Governor They realize that unless
he is stopped there is no chance for
the lightning to strike one of them
Landon's nomination is not favored
by Senator Borah. one of the most
liberal of the candidates, nor by for
mer President Hoover, still the titular
head of the party.
Eight States Wide Open.
There are delegations from eight
Southern States, at least, going to the
national convention "uninStructed.
with total delegate strength of l20.
Under the present plans, New York,
with 90 delegates; Pennsylvania, with
IS; Massachusetts,, with 80; Indiana,
with %. and California, with "A. also
will have uninstructed delegations.
In California Landon slate of del
egates has been put forward by Will
liam Randolph Hearst and Gov. Mer-
riam. If the Landon slate wins, the
California delegation will go to the
convention to support Landon from
the start. If it loses, an uninstructed
delegation will represent California.
Ohio is planning to send what
amounts to an uninstructed del
egation-a favorite son delegation
pledged to Robert A. Taft-of So to
the convention. Senator Borah is
contesting for these Ohio delegates
and may have a few of them, but not
the majority. Added together, these
probable uninstructed delegates total
Az. The convention has a total of
l,00l delegates. Landon, Knox, Bo-
rah, Vandenberg and Dickinson all
will have their blocs Of delegates at
the start. 1t is very clear, therefore,
that upon the way the uninstructed
delegations swing will depend the
nomination.
1t is rumored that considerable work
already has been done for one or two
of the candidates, notably Landon and
Knox, among the Southern delegates.