Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-06-18
MlKdyDoW
But Not Out
Miracle May Give
Z Him Victory
Michigan Politics
By FRANK NORRIS
n.,,r,, ,stme. Political Eal.eT

BY FRANK NORRIS
- n,trstt Time Political halteT
LANSING, June u - There
have been many demonstrations
on the political wizsrdry Of Ma
uonal Committeeman Frank d.
Mckay in the last TWO decades.
but II he survives his present
fight with Gov. Kelly he Will
establish himself as a miracle
man Of unparalleled powers.
AS the Michigan delegation be-
can packing today for its journey
10 the Republican National Con-
vention at Chicago, the cards
were stacked carefully to deal
Mckay a cold hand. There Is every
indication he hasn't q chance oil
being elected TO another term.
NO SURRENDER
But the national committee
man believes in miracles taccom-
plished through practical means).
He has had agents IN all parts oil
the state, contracting the dele
gates. He has not surrendered.
On the other hand, Gov. Kelly
and his political wand waver,
John Patrick Aaron, are as con-
fident as marine generals that
they have the situation well in
hand. OF the IL delegates who
will represent Michigan at the
national convention a week from
Monday. Aaron believes the gov
ernor will control at least 30.
They need only II votes TO defeat
McKay's hope OF saving his politi-
cal prestige By being reelected.
The rub is that while they APP
pear TO have the necessary II
lined up against Mckay, they may
have trouble getting that required
number of votes in favor of any
one candidate.
SILENT ON CHOICE
The governor. who walks only
on solid ground and will never
60 out on limb, continues to as
sert that he does not have can
tiidate in mind who will be used
10 beat Mckay. His choice prob
ably will not be known until a
week from Sunday in Chicago.
when the Michigan delegates
gather TO settle the issue.
However. there are many
rumors. Friends OF Arthur Sum-
merfield of Flint, the go-getting
money raiser of the Republican
party, says he has been promised
support from Kelly.
Others say the governor made
no specific pledge, but merely told
Summerfield he would like 10
see him elected national commit
teeman.
r. c. Walker, Muskegon manu-
facturer, has considerable sup
port. and John Mustard of Battle
Creek is considered a dark horse
John Wagner, also OF Battle
Creek. outstate leader in the anti
Mckay movement. would not be
resentful II Kelly nodded his way,
NEWCOMERS CLAIM
A new candidate popped up this
week when Jerry Tyler Niles
manufacturer, is reported TO have
disclosed that the anti-Mckay
battlers had chosen him for the
national job. This was quickly
denied by the governor and by
Wagner. Tyler is a newcomer IN
COP politics.
McKays one opportunity lies in
a possibility that the adminlstra-
ton delegates will wind up in a
bitter fight among themselves. He
NAV then be able TO maneuver
election of a national committee
man whom Mckay could identify
as a friend and co-worker. His
face would be saved to some eN-
tent.
But successful Strategist that
he Is, Mckay is up against terri
fic odds, inasmuch as Kelly Is the
acknowledged Republican leader.
and is certain of another two and
a half years in office.
Gov. Kelly's reticent TO gamble
in political affairs places the
Michigan delegates in an awk-
ward position at Chicago, for they
are not even committed 20 Dewey
for the presidential nomination,
though they expect him TO win on
the first ballot.
MAJORITY FOR DEWEY
The states Al representatives,
with the possible exception of
former Gov. Groesbeck. are for
Dewey. They hail him as a native
son.
But Kelly is so cautious he has
declined 10 make a definite com
mitment. And ne kept the recent
state convention from making an
unqualified promise Of support tc
the New York governor and for
mer Owosso resident.
Instead. the convention merely
asked the delegates to keep n
mind" that Dewey is well quail
fled and is q native son Of Mich
igan.
The states two members OF The
platform committee are ClifforC
O'Sullivan, Port Huron attorney