Evening star., 1951-05-01
The Political Min
Toft Strength Test Seen
On Site for Convention
Philadelphia or Chicago
Choice Appears Certain
By Gould Lincoln


By Gould Lincoln
Republican presidential politics Is
beginning to boil-with the Republican
National Convention still year in the
future. Those G. o. P. forces supporting
Senator Taft Of Ohio for the presi-
dental nomination have been at work
almost ever since his big victory in the
Ohio senatorial election last November.
Senator Taft defeated the Democratic
candidate, State Auditor Joe" Ferguson,
by 100000 votes.
When the Republican National Com
mittee meets in Tulsa, Okla, on Nav
II and II, to pick convention city and
the date for the assembling of the
G. o. P it's possible that test of Taft
and anti-Taft strength may be had.
This will be true If the Taft supporters
IN the national committee rally to one
city-in preference to another. AS things
look today. the choice will lie between
Chicago and Philadelphia, between the
Midwest and the Atlantic Coast.
The gossip has it that the Taft forces
would prefer Chicago. The atmosphere.
1t is held. would be particularly favor
able to the Ohio Senator-with the
Chicago Tribune beating the drum for
MIN. Senator Taft, in the past, has
oeen q candidate twice for a presi-
Dental nomination, both times in
Philadelphia, and both times he lost
out. The first time was in 1910, when he
was runner-up to Wendell L. Willkie.
and the second time, in 1948, when the
Dewey forces were victorious in a big
way. When the Republican National
convention was held in Chicago in
1874, Senator Taft was not a candidate.
He stood aside for Senator Bricker-
then Governor of Ohio. At that conyen-
ton Mr.. Bricker lost the nomination to
GOV. Dewey OF New York-but Mr..
Bricker did land vice presidential
nomination at that convention.
Host Cities Present Cases.
The convention site committees of
the Republican and Democratic Ma
tlonal Committees both held hearings
last Saturday. with potential host cities
presenting their cases. The choice. it is
conndently predicted in both Republican
ana democratic circles, lies between the
Wmdy City and the City of Brotherly
Love-unlesS some other city turns I'M
at tulsa with better bid.
republican members of the national
committee are insisting that the selec.
Clon OF the convention city will be made
on the merits Of the facilities offered
Plus the cash donations promised bv
the cities. And it may work out that
way-although when politicians get to.
getner there Is usually political angle.
chicago offers the best facilities, but
up 70 date Philadelphia has offered the
most money-$250,000 to each political
party Tor its national convention. Chi
cago Is expected to say what cash guar
antee IL Will make when the G. o. p.
committee meets in Tulsa.
supporters Of Senator Taft and Presi-
dent Harold E. Stassen of the University
OF Pennsylvania-for the presidential
nomination-have asked for reservations
IN Tulsa for the national COMMITTEES
meeting. It is well within the possi-
ollltles that not only fight may de-
velop over the convention city but that
members OF the national committee and
some OF the many other Republican
leaders from the West and Midwest who
are expected to attend, will be actively
canVassed by the Taft. Stassen, Eisen-
mower and other forces. The Dewey forces
IN the national committee, as well as
those friendly to Gov Warren of Cali
forn1a, will not lie down and permit a
steam roller to run over them if they
can help it.
Democrats Problem Easy.
Inc Democrats do not have the same
problem over the selection of a con-
vention city. Their national COMMITTEES
will meet after the Republicans. and
presumably will agree to whichever citv
the q. o. P. picks. Representatives of
the Two national committees have been
working comparatively on the matter of
convention site, since it will mean a
saving OF probably $50, 1000 to each party
tney use the same physical arrange
mentS Tor their national conventions.
II President Truman is to be Democratic
nominee for President, he can be nomi-
mated either in Philadelphia or Chicago.
He won a vice presidential nomination
In Chicago in 1914. and presidential
nomination in Philadelphia in 1948.
II Mr.. Truman should decide to step
aside and not run, supporters of Senator
Douglas of Illinois for the Democratic
nomination would be delighted to have
the national convention In Chicago. Up
TO date. however, Mr.. Truman has kept
ms own political plans to himself, al
though the probabilities seem to be
that he will not seek reelection unless
this country should be engaged in a war
either an extension of the war in
Korea or a world war.