The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1952-07-02
Presidential
Race
~ Ed cRRAeH

~ - SABAO"
CHICAGO u - The Taft-Eisen-
hover fight tore into the bare
knuckles stage today.
And though il could be different
next week, when the Republican
National Convention gets down to
the business Of actually naming a
presidential candidate, Sen. Rob-
ert A. Taft appeared to have the
political muscle to forge ahead on
points in the pre-convention strug-
gle.
Currently he leads Gen. Dwight
d. Eisenhower. his principal rival,
47A to 40. in the Associated Press
tabulation. That count is based on
delegates pledged, instructed or
| willing to express . preference,
as well as on candidate conces-
| sions. It takes 6A votes to win
the nomination.
Today's round in the battle for
| more delegates was q fight in the
dark SO far as those who had
hoped to watch on television or
hear on the radio were concerned.
TV and newsreel cameras. radio
microphones and even news cam
eras were barred as the COP Ma
tional Committee called its men,
bers into session with Georgia on
its mind.
It was up to the l06-member
committee to decide between the
claims of two delegations who want
to vote on behalf Of Georgia Re-
publicans at the convention.
One Is solid--would cast all Of
Georgia's II votes for Taft.
The other numbers II support
ers Of Eisenhower. two of Taft,
one uncommitted to either.
Supposedly, only four of the II
delegates are In question. The Ma
tional Committee tossed the other
Ii disputed votes back to the state
for decision.
But the head Of the pro-Taft del
egation, Roscoe Pickett Jr.. told
a reporter he would try to get
all II OF his people seated In view
of Georgia Superior Court de-
cision last Monday ruling his or
ganization the only legal Republi-
can party In Georgia.
Pickett's opposition, headed by
w r.. Tucker, countered with an
other part Of that same decision:
This opinion has nothing to do
with delegates. ;"
And it Is the Eisenhower camp
which was told by the National
Committee previously to settle the
Once Georgia was disposed Of,
status Of Is Of the IL delegates.
the committee had to tackle con-
tests between Eisenhower and Taft
hackers in Kansas. Louisiana.
Mississippi, Missouri and Texas.
Texas was the biggest-3s dele
gates at stake. II may not get
committee action before Thursday
or Friday.
All told, u delegates have been
involved in these contests-u IS
il one Of the Georgia groups gets
the extra Il before the committee.
A possible three more disputed del.
egates from Puerto Rico would
bring the total 10 30.
As Of Tuesday night the TAFT
forces were calling the tune.
An Is-member Florida delega-
ton almost solid for Taft was rec
ognized by the National Commit.
tee In unanimous vote.
The regular" delegation which
won unanimous acceptance split
IA for Tan and one for Essen
hover. with three uncommitied. In
the AP tabulation.
It's opposition announced early
today il win appeal The commit
later to . vote Of the fun eonven-
lon If necessary.
This delegation ID headed by
Wesley z. Garrison, who said in
statement that although the -
delegates have been reported IA.
vorable 10 TAR I'VE never CON-
mitted ourselves to any esndi-
date"
Eisenhower hackers viewed the
announcement with speculative IN
terest.
with the Florida contest knocked
of - own schedule, the National
Committee OVERRIDE Ioud oblse.
tions from Gov. Thomas Il. pexey
and other Eisenhower Supporters
in voting 90 20 % % bar radio
snierophonss and al sorts of can.
erss from its deliberations.
After the CHARGES ard counter.
charges that we're hurried ln the
Flersda delegate fight. Tsftsnaa
G. Mas0a owi-tt Il pennsyiysnia
asked xhsthsr the Republicans
wsass6 the country 10 zee and hear
suca intrsparty squabbainx In -
entirely
VIII TIE opening ~ the eonsea-
tsos Itself caiy I've days of. the