Evening star., 1947-10-05

| ator Taft, during his three weeks
tour, has done much to break down
this "he can't win" build-up-ol
rather down-which the Ohio Sena-
tor has had In the past. However
1t is the only thing that could pos
sibly bring mo" from Senator Taft
to the Ohio Republican Committee
Tour Helped Taft.
An objective review of the Taft
swing into the West leaves the fol-
lowing impressions:
First, Senator Taft has helped
himself by his strong defense of the
record of the Republican Congress
and frank discussion of the impor-
tant issues of the day. He has
helped himself, particularly, by his
repeated statements of what the
Taft -HartleyLabor law contains and
contains and what is does not con-
tain-a law which he has described
as q "bill Of rights" for the individ-
ual members of the labor unions.
Second, Senator Tafe has helped
to dispel the picture which the West
has had of him as cold, conserva-
tive machine. He has advanced
some progressive ideas, particularly
in his public welfare program, and
in his proposals to meet the menac-
ing issue Of higher and higher
prices. He has shown to these
people human side of himself.
How much does all this mean in
the matter of Taft-for President,
first choice, delegates?
Symbol Of Conservation.
Senator Taft has been regarded
by the West as symbol of conserva-
tion-and the people Of the West
except for group Of old line Re-
publicans, most of them wealthy
are not conservative. Nevertheless,
Senator Taft has made many friends
on his swing and hung onto those
he had previously made in the Re-
publican organization.
Another factor in the delegate
situation Is that the strength OF
Gov. Dewey, which was very great
in 1914, has diminished in these
States of the West. The New Yorker
still retains a good deal OF the sup
port he had three years ago-enough
to make him the leading candidate
today. But 1t is not enough to
assure him solid delegations from
several of these States. Senator
Taft may pick up a few delegates
in Washington, in Oregon and
Wyoming. and perhaps one or two
in Nevada. The reports he re-
ceived from Republican leaders in
Colorado and Utah, also give him
hope for some delegates.
California, the great prize, with
its 53-strong delegation in the ma
tional convention, remains prob
lem. Gov. Warren has the delega-
ton in his pocket. If, however, it
becomes evident that Gov. Warren
has no chance of nomination, much
will depend on where the California
delegates will 60. At present Gov.
Dewey is the first choice after Gov.
Warren.
Dewey Still Out in Front.
All of this adds up to a conclusion
that Gov. Dewey is still out in front
in the West-and if he makes
strong run, Senator Taft will have
very, very few delegates if any from
the six States he visited Many of
these will seek in the convention to
Jump on the bandwagon of a pros
pective winner. Gov. Dewey has not
yet begun to campaign nor has he
expressed himself recently on many
important domestic and foreign
problems. Frequent criticism of the
New Yorker is that he has been too
silent up to date. =-.
OF all the so-called dark horse
possibilities for the Republican presi-
Dental nomination more interest Is
shown in the West in Gen. Eisen-
hover than In any other-except
Gov. Warren.
Senator Taft's invasion Of the
West has added to the Republican
morale. On every hand, there, it
was acknowledged that the Ohio
Senator had done big thing for the,
Republican Party in his campaign
ing.
Praises Hospitality.
His own summary of his visit to
these states contained the following:
Mrs. Taft and cannot praise too
highly the kindness and hospitality
Of the West. We are deeply CRATE
full to all those who have given
their time and effort to make our
visit so pleasant and so successful.