Evening star., 1944-03-29
BY GOULD LINCOLN,
Star Staff Correspondent

CHICAGO, Mar. D. Organized
Republicans in Illinois are lying
low when it comes to their prefer
ence for a Republican presidential
nominee. Their plan is to send an
uninstructed delegation to the Re-
publican National Convention,
which meets here June 26. Pri-
vately, however, some of them are
admitting there is great deal Of
sentiment for the nomination Of
Gov. Thomas E. Dewey OF New
York. Indeed, they say, If the con-
vention were held today they be-
lieve the Dewey nomination would
be an accomplished fact in short
order.
Recently a poll was made of
$50 small merchants in Chicago,
operators Of delicatessen shops,
grocery stores and the like, on the
Republican presidential choice. The
investigators, 10 in number, asked
only those who said they were Re-
publicans. The result showed Gov.
Dewey with 237 votes. Almost
equally Overwhelming was a count
Of noses on presidential preference
among SO party workers in q down.
State city. Forty gave Gov. Dewey
as their choice, flve, Gov. John W.
Bricker Of Ohio, and the rest were
scattered. None voted for Wendell
Willkie.
This does not mean that Mr..
Willkie has no friends in Illinois.
Some mighty good citizens are in
his corner. But 1t would indicate
that he can expect few, If any, sup
porters in the big Illinois delega-
ton, So strong. On the other hand
many Of these delegates, though
not pledged to Gov. Dewey, will in
reality be for the nomination of
the New Yorker.
Green to Head Delegation.
Gov. Dwight H. Green of Illinois
is expected to lead the delega-
tion. From 40 to A Of the so dis
trict delegates will do as he COM
mands. And 50 will most of the
nine delegates at large. The Gov
ernor is a candidate for reelection
II he has any presidential or vice
presidential aspirations, he is keep
ing them to himself. Indeed, there
are some who say he would prefer
to continue on as Governor Of Il
linois rather than become a vice
presidential candidate.
No one gives him a chance
for first place on the ticket
But there is always a possibil-
ity that he, like several other
Republican Governors, would vel
come a nomination for Vice Presi.
dent. He will, at least, be in a
position to do bit OF trading wher
the convention opens. Illinois Il
always one Of the crucial States ir
a national election, with It's 2s
electoral votes. So he has some
thing to offer.
The primary elections in Illinoi!
fall on April 1.-THE same day a.
the Nebraska primary. In Illinois
in addition to electing delegate.
to the national conventions Of the
two parties. the voters will name
their candidates for State and con.
gressional ONCE. While Gov. Green
with the backing of the organiza.
ton, is expected to win renomina.
ton, he is challenged by Oscar E
Carlstrom, who was attorney gen.
eral during the administration Of
the late Gov. Small. The Demo.
Gratis are putting forward Thornx,
j. Courtney, States attorney fol
Cook County 4lChicagols Tor til<
gubernstorial nomination.
Lucas to Be Renominated.
In the Senate race, Senator Lucas
will be renominated by the Demo-
Gratis. Richard I. Lyons has the
support ofsthe Repnblc an NH als
zation for the senatorial fidmina:
ton. Deneen "A. Watson, q Chicago
lawyer who at one time headed 9
movement to compel the Repub.
lican party to adopt a Willkiesque
foreign policy. is running as an in.
dependent for the nomination
against Mr.. Lyons. and has some
backing. However, 1t is expected
that when the primary is over, Gov
Green will be facing Mr.. Courtney
in the gubernatorial contest and
MIR. Lyons will be running against
Senator Lucas.
The Illinois nresidentiaI nrafsr-