Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-05-11
THE POLITICAL
MILL
By G.. Gould Lincoln.


"uninstructed" delegates. in the great
majority. Mr.. Hoover has for months
argued that the Republicans should
select the best delegates they could find
and send them to the national conven-
ton without collars around their necks.
He figured that with such program the
party would bring about the selection of
the strongest possible candidate for
President and write the Soundest party
platform. Whether 1t will work out a.
he has hoped, with regard to the nominee
for President and the platform, remains
still to be seen.
It is rather idle to expect, however,
even q majority Of them, win 60 to the
convention without predictions for this
or that candidate for the presidential
nomination. Men and women In poll
tics do not close their minds to realities
to that extent-not as rule. 1t Is I'M
likely that Mr.. Hoover had any idea
these uninstructed delegates would fail
to have preferences in their own hearts
before they reached Cleveland. But
whether they have or not, they will still
and independence-provided they do not
take orders from small cotdie OF
leaders.
A fair assumption is that Of the SIG
"uninstructed" delegates so far chosen
to the G. o. p. National Convention. A
large number have their own ideas as to
candidates, though not in many cases
finally fixed. OF the 141 instructed"
delegates picked to date, Gov. Landon
of Kansas has the largest number, with
Col. Frank Knox and Senator Borah
trailing. If enough Of these uninstructed
delegates fancy Landon, 1t is all over but
the shouting. Claims are made by the
campaign managers of all three of these
gentlemen to the affections Of the unin-
structed delegates. The so-called dark
horse brigade is made up so far Of Sem
ator Vandenberg of Michigan. Senator
Steiwer Of Oregon and Senator Dickinson
Of Iowa, with Mr.. Hoover pretty far out
side.
The only chance for the dark horses
Is a deadlock in the voting on several
ballots in the convention. With Landon
out in front apparently, it is to be ex-
pected that the other aspirants for the
presidential nomination will seek some
kind of a coalition to stop" the Kansas
Governor. If he is stopped" the chances
are the convention will not turn either
to Knox or to Borah. who will have had
their runs while Landon was being
held down. Landon. although he has
not personally projected himself into any
Of the presidential primaries, has been
drawn into some and has shown strength.
For example, in South Dakota. Senator
Borah is quoted as having said that he
will not stand in the way of either
Iandon or Knox provided either reaches
the convention with "a fair expression
Of the people that he is their choice"
This sounds as though the Idaho Senator
may have abated some of the distaSte
which he had for the nomination of
Landon. One thing is certain-the Idaho
Senator would dislike very greatly to
see deadlock in the convention which
would bring about the nomination of
Senator Dickinson of Iowa, whom he
considers a deep-dyed conservative. If
Hilles of New York. Rorabach of Con-
necticut and other Eastern leaders have
in mind-as it has sometimes been said
they have-turning to Dickinson. Borah
might be expected to turn in for Landon.
With the presidential nomination still
something Of q conundrum, there has
been comparatively little talk among the
Republicans Of vice presidential candi-
dates in Ohio. A suggestion here and
there is heard that Representative James
w. Wadsworth of New York might be
a good bet for the second place on the
ticket. No sentiment to place Robert
A. Taft, who is running as "favorite
son" candidate in Ohio to hold the Ohio
delegation together, In nomination for
Vice President, has manifested itself.
While the Ohio primary holds the spot
light this week. several other States are
to elect their delegates to the national
conventions before the week Is out. West
Virginia's primary takes place tomorrow
and Oregon's on Friday. Landon is ex-
pected 70 pick up some delegates in West
Virginia. Indeed, Walter Hallanan Re-
publican national committee man and
candidate for delegate in West Virginia,
has announced his support of the Kan
san. Hallanan has his enemies among
the Republicans in the State. He has
been q dominant figure there the last
year or two however, and probably will
be successful in the primary The Oregon
primary is expected to be a victory for
Senator Borah, who Is entered in the
preference vote. Vermont picks its dele
gates in convention. Republican leaders
there have been inclining toward Landon,
despite the effort in New England to
arouse sentiment for Knox. If there is
anything in the claim that Borah is the
choice OF the States of the Far West
Nevada should aid Borah.
The showing that Col. Breckenridge,
anti-Roosevelt Democrat, recently made
in Maryland has inspired the Repub-
hcan National Committee to put out
statements Of congratulation and re-
joicing. There may be plenty of cause
for such rejoicing. but If the Republican
leaders areswise, they will let the anti
Roosevelt Democrats do their own talk
ing. A third party. interfering in family
quarrels, has frequently united the war
ring factions against itself. Now that
the Republican National Committee has
brain trust Of its own, it should use
some brains.
Business Is on the upgrade in the
Middle West This may help President
Roosevelt in his drive for reelection. 1t
certainly should not hurt him. How
ever, the business men here are saying
that they wish to be let alone by the
Government and that they see no chance
Of such state Of affairs as long as the
New Dealers are in power. They insist
that business should be much further
advanced than it Is. And further, they
see the effect Of the expenditure of bill
lions of dollars of public money Is re-
| sponsible for the increased business This
docs MT ary,oo1 fo than, for thev raoIi~o