Evening star., 1952-06-11
Taft Chicago Landslide
Indicates Fight for
Southern Delegates
BY the Associated Press

CHICAGO, June H. Senator
Taft has frightened control over
Republican Convention machinery
with the apparent intention of
fighting vigorously for the seat
ing of Southern delegates favor
able to him.
The top Arrangement Commit
tees choice of Gen. Macarthur
as keynoter and the selection of
Taft hackers to fill oIner lnajor
convention posts was dictated
down the line by the Ohioan's
camp.
The action served rotice on sup
porterS Of Gen. Eisenhower, Sen
ator Taft'S chief rival for the Re-
publican Presidential nomina lion,
that there will be no quarter in
the battle over disputed Southern
votes which may go a long way
toward determining the winner.
The keynoter assignment for
Gen. Macarthur, who has pub
licly backed Senator Taft and has
criticized Gen. Eisenhower in
directly, emphasized the no-com-
promise mood of the Ohioan's
hackers.
Macarthur Expresses Surprise.
Gen. Macarthur accepted quick
1y in a telegram to National Chair
man Guy G. GabrielSon, express
ing surprise that he had been
picked for the job.
II am fully conscious of the
high honor and distinction in
volved but equally aware of its
deep obligation" Gen. Macarthur
told Mr.. Gabrielson. Il frankly
have grave doubts of my ability
to fulfill its demands.
However, in view of my selec-
ton. accept with a real sense of
grateful appreciation"
Although there had been some
question about the legality of the
flve-Star generals addressing a
party convention because of Army
regulations, the Pentagon said it
would raise no issue on this point.
Friends said Gen. Macarthur
would speak in civilian clothes.
Gen. Eisenhower has asked re-
tirement to campaign and has cut
off at his own initiative his $19,-
SAL yearly pay and allowances
from the Army. Gen. Macarthur
draws somewhat similar amount
as an officer on active duty, with
out specific assignment.
While Gen. Macarthur is eX-
pected to make party-rallying
speech without reference to any
particular candidate, some other
convention. officers selected by the
arrangements group are in a posi-
ton to make vital rulings.
Hallanan Is Selected.
One of these is Walter Hallanan
of West Virginia, Taft supporter
chosen as temporary chairman
when that post was divorced from
the keynoters job in order not to
burden Gen. Macarthur with
gavel pounding chores.
Mr.. Hallanan already has made
It plain he intends to enforce the
1948 convention rules until the
Time this years convention is
permanently organized and he
turns the gavel over to House
Minority Leader Martin, named
as the permanent chairman.
Mr.. Martin is rooter for Gen.
Macarthur as possible presiden-
tial candidate. although the gen.
eral has said he isn't running.
= Senator Mlllikin of Colorado. a
Taft delegate. was named to head
the convention Platform Drafting
Committee.
Gen. Eisenhower'S hackers have
said they will carry to the con-
vention floor a fight to seat pro-
Eisenhower delegation from Texas.
Although Senator Taft himself
proposed a compromise recently,
he evidently now is ready to fight
to the finish for the seating of a
pro-Taft delegation. The 38
! Texas votes involved could be
vital in the nomination fight.
The 1948 convention rules say
that "only legal and qualified
voters shall participate in a Re-
publican >. convention" and it is
the contention Of Taft hackers
that Eisenhower supporters
stacked precinct and county con-
ventions in Texas with Democrats
in an attempt to grab control of
the delegation.
Eisenhower hackers have as
serted the Taft camp tried to
"Steal" the Texas votes by hold
Z ing rump precinct and county
meetings.
Z Other and somewhat similar
contests may go before the Ma
tional Committee-and finally the
3 convention itSelf-involving Lou
/ isiana's Is delegates. Georgia'S II,
Mississippi's 5, South Carolina S
6 and possibly Florida's 18.
GabrielsOn May Rule on Issue,
Mr.. GabrielSon, who risked a
reputed home-State threat to ouSt
TH NAI ~