Evening star., 1948-04-02
The Political Mil
Seven COP. Candidates
In Free-for-AII' Primury
Move by Nebraska Editor Forced
Leaders Into Popularity Race
By Gould Lincoln.

By Gould Lincoln
LINCOLN, Nebr, April 2.-Nebraskas free
for-au Republican primary April Is brings
seven Of the COPS leading presidential posi-.
bilities into open conf1ict-some of them most
unwiIlingly.
Ray Mcconnell. managing editor OF the Ne
braska State Journal, conceived the idea that
the voters had right to decide among all the
candidates and near candidates whom they
preferred-instead Of leaving it up to the candi-
dates and their managers to enter or not to
enter the primary. A committee was organ.
lied to get the requisite number Of signatures
to place their names on the ballot under the
Nebraska law. Consent Of the candidates was
not necessary
In consequence, Gov. Dewey OF New York,
Harold Stassen Of Minnesota, Senator Taft Of
Ohio, Gen. Macarthur. Gov. Warren Of Cali
fornia, Senator vandenberg of Michigan and
House Speaker Martin Of Massachusetts have
all been entered here. And Since they have
been entered-the i've who are announced can
didates-al except Senator vandenberg and
Speaker Martin-are putting forward their best
efforts to make good showing.
Gov. Warren already has been in the State
He spoke on founders Day" March %. For
mer Gov Stassen Of Minnesota has campaigned
all over the State. Senator Taft is coming
into the State for a three-day tour, April S,
and Z. And the able and entertaining other
half of the Taft team Mrs. Martha Taft, is
coming with him. She, however, will CAM
paign in parts of Nebraska not reached by her
candidate husband. Both Gov. Dewey and Mr..
Stassen are due here April and 8. Former
Gov. Phil La Toilette of Wisconsin has been
here making speeches in support of Gen. Mac
Arthur.
Martin Darkest Horse"
Senator Vandenberg, on the other hand has
sought to have his friends support other candi-
dates. He urged that his name not be placed
on the ballot-but in vain. Speaker Martin
continues to be the darkest of k-horse can
didates and has done nothing about the pri-
mary at all.
Mr.. Stassen has had the Jump here, for he
announced his determination to enter the
primary months ago. He has spoken all over
the State, and probably has addressed as many
as 10000 people directly In his various speeches
"a large number to reach by word Of mouth in
this agricultural State. His supporters are con-
hdent he will lead when all the votes are
counted.
This however, is problematical The Dewey
and Taft and Macarthur managers have be-
come tremendously active. Almost nightly
via the radio and recorded speeches-are heard
by listeners. A large amount of money Is being
spent for newspaper advertising, considering
the fact that Nebraska has only Is delegates
in the Republican National Convention The
effort being put forth seems out of all propor-
ton. The frenzied campaigning, however.
arises from the fact that the primary is one
Of the earliest tests Of sentiment and from the
novel situation brought about by having all OF
the potential nominees entered.
Stassen Won In 1914.
In 1914, Mr.. Stassen won the presidential
preferential primary here. Wendell l.. Willkie
had been entered Too, MIR. Willkie failing to
win single delegate In the earlier Wisconsin
primary, withdrew from the race before the
vote was taken in Nebraska. His name re-
manned, however, on the ballot. Gov. Dewey
was not entered. But $4,000 voters took the
trouble to write his name on the ballot-an
amazing show of strength. And when the
Nebraska delegation reached Chicago for the
Republican National Convention, they never
had chance to vote for Mr.. stassen--for his
name was withdrawn and Gov. Dewey won on
the first ballot
Senator Taft, who had planned to enter
none of the primaries except that In Ohio, his
own State, is backed by Senator Butler OF
Nebraska. Senator Butler has strong organi-
zation Of his own-an organization which two
years ago made it possible for Mr. Butler to
win denomination to the Senate against the
then Gov Griswold. Mr.. Stassen at that time
gave his support to Gov. Griswold, and spoke
for him.
The Democrats have only one candidate for
whom to vote in the presidential preferential
primary-President Truman. No other has been
entered. The Democrats in Nebraska are stick
ing to Mr.. Truman. They have not been un-
duly exercised over either the Palestine or the
civil rights issues which have caused so much
trouble for the President farther East
Henry Wallace, an independent, cannot get
place on the primary ballot. Whether any
Of his friends will try to write his name in re-
mains to be seen.