Evening star., 1948-02-17
The Political Mil
Pennsylvania COP. PIons
Key Role for Convention
Candidates Must Reckon With State
And Leaders in Nomination Bid
By Gould LiseoIm


Pennsylvania epublicans-eertainy Gov.
Duf-intend to make the weight Of the Key.
stone State felt In the coming Republican Ma
tional Convention. This has been evidenced BY
Gov. Duff himself. in private conversations
and certainly in his recent address on Aneri-
can foreign policy. In that address. delivered
in Philadelphia, Gov. Duff, who VIII have q
great deal to say about how the States delesa-
ton votes on presidential candidates, went al
out for international cooperation and for the
Marshall European Recovery Program. His
address has been interpreted as saying hatly
that candidates for the presidential nomination
who have an isolationist tinge need not apply
for Pennsylvania support ut the convention.
And this, in turn, has been interpreted as q stab
in the Taft-for-President boom.
Not since the days of Boies Penross and
"Bill" Ware has = Pennsylvania delegation been
effective In bringing about q choice Of q Re-
publican presidential nominee. Senator Pen.
rose and his colleagues in 1870 put the touch
on Warren g. Harding Of ohio-after the Re-
publican convention had been deadlocked by
the supporters Of Gen. Leonard Wood, Senator
Hiram johnson of California, and Gov. Lowden
OF Illinois. 1t was Mr.. Ware who clinched things
for the nomination Of Herbert Hoover when.
on arriving In Kansas City for the 1928 national
convention, he issued a statement declaring
the Pennsylvania delegation would support
Mr.. Hoover. Mr.. Ware simply beat the gun
and did 1t effectively.
Left at Post In 1s4s.
Pennsylvania delegation was left at the post
in the 1910 conyention-held In Philadelphia,
too While Wendell L. Willkie was being NOM
mated, the States delegation was caucusing on
what to do. It had stuck to the then Gov.
James, as it's favorite son, for ballot after ballot.
1t was ludicrous handling Of the situation.
Gov. Dun doesn't intend to have anything ap-
preaching that happen when the Republicans
meet next June to pick presidential candidats
again In Philadelphia.
Gov. Duf1's fortnight statement in support
of the Marshall Plan was interpreted In some
quarters as q political break with Senator
Edward Martin, his predecessor in the Gov
ernor's chair in Harrisburg. But this does not
appear to be the fact-certainly not in view
of a statement issued by Senator Martin him.
self, in which he said that his views on the need
for an American European Recovery Plan ran
along with those of Gov. Dun. The difference
between the attitude of Gov. Duff and that of
Senator Martin seems to be that Gov. Duff is
willing to give Secretary of State Marshall
blank check, and Senator Martin wants to have
q thorough look-See on the appropriations
which are to be made.
Martin will BE Faverits Son.
Senator Martin is to be Pennsylvania
favorite son candidate In the Republican Ma
tional Convention-and Gov Duff has said
many times he was for Senator Martin. 1t is
where the Pennsylvania Governor and Senator
will seek to take the delegation If and when
nHaw dwyoU haf ig i'm.
portant. Pennsylvania has the second largest
bloc of delegates in the national convention
70. It is easy to conceive that q bold move On
the part Of the Pennsylvanians at q tense time
might decide the race for the presidential NOM
nation. 1t has been reported in the past that
Gov. Duff looks askance at Gov Dewey Of New
York-the leading contender today-aithough
Senator Martin has been reported friendly to
the New Yorker II deadlock arises, with Gov.
Dewey unable to go across after some ballot
ing, the opportunity for a strong move by
Pennsylvania would be at hand.
Gov. Duff has said nothing for publication
about his choice of y prospective presidential
nominee-other than to 80 along with \ths
Martin favorite-son candidacy. 1t is KNOWN.
however, that he feels particularly friendly to>
Senator Vandenburg Of Michigan and to Gov.
Warren of California. Indeed the word has
been passed that he would look with favor on
either of them. How he would feel toward
former Gov. Stassen of Minnesota remains to
be developed Mr.. Stassen Is ss strong an In
ternationalist and supporter OF the recovery
program as any. Further, he is a progressive
Republican, and Gov. Dun has made it clear
that he believes the Republicans will have to
forget the "Old Guard" in making their presi-
Dental nomination. This reilly is something.
coming from Pennsylvania, the land Of the
Pews and the Grundys.