Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-10-07
California May Hinge
On Hiram Johnson's
Stand in Campaign
6. O. P. Hopes Senator,
Attacked by Roosevelt,
Will Support Ticket
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN,
Star Staff Correspondent.

BY G. GOULD LINCOLN,
Star Staff Correspondent.
SAN FRANCISCO. Oct. 7-As
the presidential race swings into the
stretch the question that comes
from California lips is-"What Is
Hiram johnson going to do?"
Hiram johnson, who won the sem
atorial nomination of the Repub-
lican, Democratic and Progressive
parties owe, whelmingly despite
President Roosevelt's purge" effort.
Hiram johnson, who the President
said rs no longer a liberal" and
Hiram johnson. who swiftly count
cred with the assertion that this is
the same old purge, the same old
sham expression OF regard and af-
lection. the same old stiletto.'
The veteran California Senator's
prompt response to the Presidents
attack was the greatest political
thrill which California has had in
many a day His friends rallied to
him, both New Dealers and anti
New Dealers.
Waiting to Hear Stand.
Now they are waiting for Senator
johnson to express himself on the
presidential contest. The Repub-
licans and anti-New Deal Demo-
Gratis were pleased when Wendell L.
Willkie, the Republican presidential
nominee. came into the State and
spoke again and again in praise of
johnson, calling him that great
liberal They are making no
claims that the Senator will declare
himself for the election of Mr.. Will
kie. But they are hoping he will do
so-and not only that he will make
a statement favoring the Repub-
lican presidential nominee but that
he will make a speech or two in
support of the Republican national
ticket and against third term for
President Roosevelt. They feel that
if Senator johnson takes a forth
right stand for Mr.. Willkie. they
will have a real chance of carrying
the State.
Democratic leaders in California
shake their heads sadly over the
Roosevelt attack on Senator john
son. They freely admit privately
that the Presidents foot slipped"
when he delivered his attack on the
Senator: that he made a political
blunder of major proportions. Their
hope is that Senator johnson will
make no statement at all regarding
the presidential candidates, for they
do not see Senator johnson declar-
ing for the reelection Of Mr.. Roose-
welt. whom he ardently supported
in 1882 and later.
Faces No Opposition.
AS one Democratic leader put 1t
today: Senator johnson has the
Democratic nomination for the Sem
ate. as we'll as the Republican. Why
should he come out against the
Democratic national ticket?" And
this leader added. the same people
who will vote for Senator johnson
on November 5 will vote for Presi-
dent Roosevelt"
Hiram Johnson. so far as his own
political fortunes are concerned. is
already in" He has reelection
without opposition. He can, if he
wishes. just ride along and keep
silent on the third-term effort of
President Roosevelt On the other
hand, if he feels strongly enough
against a third term and against
the Roosevelt candidacy, he is in a
position perhaps to swing the ma
tional election; to make another
President of the United States. and
to maintain the anti-third term ira
dition. Almost a quarter of CEN
fury ago, Senator johnson was ig-
nored by Republican presidential
candidate Charles Evans Hughes.
now Chief Justice of the United
States. The election that year
turned on the outcome in California.
just as it may again this year.
When Mr.. Hughes vas campaigning
in California he was in the hands
of Republican leaders who were an
tagonistic to Senator johnson. then
Governor of the State On one oc-
casion. Mr.. Hughes and Mr. John
son were in the same hotel-and Mr.
Hughes failed to call on Mr.. John
son or to contact him in any way.
Resentful Faction.
The result was that the presi-
Dental candidate. when he left CAL
ifornia. left behind him a resentful
Johnson faction. The Senator never
lifted a hand for the Republican
national ticket California was car
ried by Woodrow Wilson with a
lead of only 1906 votes over Mr.
Hughes. A change of 1000 votes,
which Mr.. johnson might easily
have brought about in favor of Mr..
Hughes. would have resulted in Mr..
Hughes election to the presidency
Had California gone Republican in
1916. Mr.. Hughes would have won
by three electoral votes.
Senator johnson was running for
the Senate in 1916, and he was
elected with a plurality of 296,l85
votes. so popular and politically