Evening star., 1951-12-08
The Political Min
The Political Min
Senator SchoeppeI Nails
Down Support for Taft
Action Could Upset 6. or.
In Eisenhower's Home Stute
By Gould Lincoln

Senator Andrew F. Schoeppel of Kan
sas has announced his support of Sena-
tor Taft of Ohio for the Republican pres
1dential nominat ation-not surprise. al
though Mr. Schoeppel halls from Gen.
Dwight D. Eisenhower's home State In
fact. Senator Schoeppel made it evident
several months ago he was not in the
Eisenhower camp and that he regarded
Senator Taft highly His recent state
ment in Topeka, however, nails the
thing down.
Notwithstanding Senator Schoeppers
stand. Eisenhower supporters in Kansas
insist that if Gen. Eisenhower becomes
even receptive candidate for the nomi-
nation, the Kansas delegation to the Re-
publican National Convention will vote
for him. They admit that Senator Taft
has support among some of the Kansas
RepublicanS-but when it comes to a
choice between him and the general,
Senator Taft. they say, will have to take
a back seat. Further, they point out
that Senator Schoeppel has been Taft
supporter and voted almost consistently
with the Ohioan in the Senate.
Senators Not Often Delegates,
Kansas Senator's have not as a rule
served as delegates to Republican nation
al conventions. Senator Carlson, an ar
dent supporter of Gen. Eisenhower for
the nomination, says definitely he does
not intend to seek election as a delegate
to the convention next year. If Senator
Schoeppel seeks to run for delegate as
Taft supporter, and Gen. IKE" is in the
picture as candidate or available" he
may find the going tough Former Sena-
tor Harry Darby, who is Republican ma
tional committeeman, has been a domi-
nant figure in Kansas Republican poll
tics in recent years, and has been able
to elect delegations to the national con-
ventions. He is heading up the national
Eisenhower-for- President committee.
Senator Schoeppel is former Cover
nor-as is Senator Carlson. The present
Governor, Edward F. Arm. has cast in
his lot strongly with the Eisenhower
forces. Another former Governor, ALI
Landon, the 1886 Republican nominee for
President. has so far kept a hands-off
attitude in this pre-convention struggle
over candidates
The Eisenhower supporters are bank
ing strongly on a public demand for
the general to run. They insist that
when their drive really gets rolling, the
situation in many States will clarity it
Self-in favor Of Gen. Eisenhower. Sena-
tor Carlson, the most recent of the
Eisenhower visitors. has just returned
from Europe confident that the general
will be available. He makes no bones
about the fact that he spent As minutes
with Gen. Eisenhower talking politics.
The very fact he came away without
any suggestion or intimation from Gen.
Eisenhower that his friends should cease
their efforts to bring about his nomina-
ton for President is regarded as evi-
dence that the general will run if he is
convinced that large numbers of the
citizens want him in the White House.
Eisenhower's Hands Tied.
Up to the present. the Eisenhower
drive has been handicapped because Gen.
Eisenhower's hands have been tied when
1t comes to making political statements.
He is engaged on most important work
for the country as supreme commander
OF the NATO forces in Europe-and has,
it is reported, made good in a big way.
The belief is expressed, however, that
within a few months at most he will
find himself in position to announce his
availability. When and if he does, the
Eisenhower supporters are confident, the
band wagon will start rolling fast.
In the meantime, the national Eisen-
hover organization is being broadened.
with more and more Eisenhower clubs
and headquarters set up in many parts
Of the country. The movement is aided
not only by the fact that Gen. Eisen-
hover is a popular figure. but also by
the fact that in his corner are political
leaders who know their way around.
men who have had to do with nominat-
ing conventions in the past.