Evening star., 1948-06-18
Convention
Continued From First Paee.)


the course which Senator Vanden-
berg may pursue when he. arrives
here, also Sunday, is the subject Of
grave consideration by both the
Dewey and Taft camps-not to
mention that of Harold E. Stassen.
Mr. Vandenberg has been regarded
as the man most likely to win the
nomination, If 1t fails to go to any
one of the three foremost con-
testants.
Mr.. Brownell said he has no in
formation regarding Senator Van-
denberg's plans. He did say, how
ever, that If, and when Senator
Vandenberg gives the word that
would eliminate him, most Of Mich
igan's Al delegates will shift imme-
diately to Gov. Dewey. He recalled
that a recent poll of the Michigan
delegates showed 80 per cent of
them for Gov. Dewey as second
choice. *}
Gov. Dewey" said Mr.. Brownell,
"is a native of Michigan, and it Is
natural that, if the Michigan dele
gates cannot have Vandenberg, they
should go for Dewey"
Arthur H. Vandenberg, jr., the
Senator's son. revealed his father
may issue statement clarifying his
position as a potential candidate,
after his arrival SUNDAY
Asked if the Senator Is about to
declare himself unavailable, young
Mr.. Vandenberg said his father will
say nothing until his arrival in
Philadelphia.
"He will make his position clear
then" the son said. And he added,
as an afterthought, IT he thinks 1t
necessary"
Meanwhile, young Mr.. Vandenberg
opened up headquarters, to be ready
for the Senator on his arrival. The
headquarters, he said, are not to be
used for gathering delegate votes
but merely to serve as a meeting
place for the Senator's Michigan
friends.
Published stories that Senator
Vandenberg had declared himself,
in Washington conversation. to be
not unfriendly to the nomination
of Gov. Dewey. only partially repre-
sent the Senator's position, his son
said. While Senator Vandenberg
may have discussed the Dewey can
didacy, as reported, young Mr.. VAN
denberg said he had also discussed
other candidates. In similar vein.
Seen in Fighting Mood"
Some OF the Vandenberg support
ers here continue to insist the Sem
ator's unannounced candidacy is as
strong as it ever was; that he is in
q fighting mood. and those who ex-
pect him to eliminate himself are
whistling in the dark.
RumorS here are a dime dozen.
One of the latest Is that Dewey
and some of the Joe
Grundy goup-in the big Pennsyl-
vania delegation-have come to an
agreement that, if the Dewey drive
for the nomination bogs down, the
Dewey supporters will swing to Sena-
tor Martin, Of Pennsylvania, the
States favorite son candidate. In
return, the Dewey people expect the
Grundy delegates to 60 to Gov.
Dewey-perhaps 40 strong-on an
earlier ballot.
Any such support for Gov. Dewey
from Pennsylvania undoubtedly
would give the New Yorker a big
boost as the balloting proceeds
Indeed, it might start the band
wagon rolling.
The Pennsylvania situation may
be clarified Sunday night. when the
delegation caucuses. Gov. Duff, who
is seeking to dominate the dele
CATION and its course. has been op-
posed strongly to Dewey nomina-
ton. The Grundy faction so far
declines fatty to be dictated to by
the Governor.
Duff Leans Toward Vandenberg.
Gov. Duff has leaned strongly to-.
ward Senator Vandenberg for the
nomination, and so far
has refused to give way In this.
It is rumored, however, that, If the
Senator fades out of the
picture, Gov. Duff will try to swing
the Pennsylvanians either to Sena-
tor Taft or to Speaker Martin.
The Stassen and Taft camps are
busy and full of fight, despite re-
ports Of the growing movement for
Gov. Dewey. Mr.. Stassen declared
on his arrival he will be nominated
on the ninth ballot. He did not say
just why it would be the ninth bal
lot, but he insisted he would have
the continued support of the
younger element in the Republican
Party. He said, too, he is not
for a vice presidential
nomination, but a candidate for
President.
The Stassen headquarters are
vast. But If the Stassen headquar-
ters are large. the TAFT buttons
size of small plate-outdo all others.
Taft campaigners also have adopted
a four-leaf clover as their emblem.
Nevada Strong for Dewey.
In seeming support of the state
made by Mr.. Brownell, Noble
H. Getchell, Republican national
committeeman from Nevada, rolled
into Philadelphia and predicted the
six or seven Of his States delegation
Of nine will go for Gov. Dewey on
the first ballot. The others, he indi-
Gated, might be for Senator Taft,
but none will 60 to Mr.. Stassen.
Mr.. Brownell said the new Dewey
strength is coming from some Of the
favorite son States.
I'VE will get support from practic-
silly all Of them." he said. after
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