Evening star., 1952-06-10
ConventionC Committee
Meets Today TO Pick
Republican keynoter
By jack Bell
ASsoeiaisd Press SsoH Writer

CHICAGO, June 10.-Support-
ers of Gen. Eisenhower lacked a
candidate today to oppose the
choice Of Gen. Macarthur as Re-
publican convention keynoter.
Despite hurried hotel room con-
ferences, hackers of Gen. Eisen-
hower's bid for the Republican
presidential nomination appar-
emily could not agree on any op-
position nominee.
This left it up to the conven-
tion arrangements committee,
which meets this morning, to ac-
cept a proposal by G. Mason
Owlett. Pennsylvania national
committeeman. or begin its own
search for q convention rallying
speaker.
The convention opens in Chi
cago July z.
He'll Nominate Macarthur.
Mr.. Owlett, who has not taken
sides publicly in the battle be-
tween Gen. Eisenhower and Sen
ator Taft for the nomination, told
reporters he intends to nominate
Gen. Macarthur for the major
convention role.
Mr.. Owlett was reported to have
rejected a protest by Herbert
Brownell, jr., one of the field
agents for Gen. Eisenhower, that
it would be unfair for the COM
mittee to name as keynoter a man
who has publicly supported Sen
ator Taft in the pre-convention
campaign.
Harry Darby, Kansas national
committeeman and Eisenhower
backer, told reporters he has no
particular interest in who is
chosen for the keynoter's job. He
said the Eisenhower camp has
no candidate for the place, so far
as he knows.
Previously j. Russell Sprague,
New York national committee
man, said Eisenhower followers
would fight Gen. MacArthur's
appointment.
Sees General Objection.
Gov. Sherman Adams of New
Hampshire, after meeting with
Gen. Eisenhower in New York
yesterday, said he thought Re-
publicans generally would object
lin principle" to having Gen.
Macarthur as keynoter; that Gen.
Macarthur is partisan" and the
keynoter usually is neutral.
Walter Hallanan, West Virginia
backer Of Senator Taft, predicted
the arrangements group would
override these protests in short
order.
No one expected Gen. Mac
Arthur to serve also as temporary
chairman Of the convention, al
role usually filled by the key
noter.
For this reason there were
signs they might designate Guy
q. Gabrielson. national chairman.
to continue welding the gavel un-
til the permanent chairman takes
over. House Minority Leader
Martin was cast for this role.
Mr.. Martin hasn't come out for
either OF the two major contend
ers for the Republican nomina-
ton.
Lack Of Influence Seen.
Senator Knowland of Califor-
MIA. mentioned for chairmanship
OF the important convention Plat
form Committee, is backing the
presidential aspirations of Gov.
Earl Warren of California.
Thus, If the committee ap-
proved such a slate, it would DEM
onstrate that the Eisenhower
hackers have little influence with
In the Republican National Com
mittee.
This committee must pass on
the seating Of contested delega-
tions. and Gen. Eisenhower's back
ers seemed to face an uphill fight
70 get convention votes for groups
they were backing from Texas
Georgia, South Carolina, Missis-
Slppl and possibly other States.
Inc Eisenhower Taft battle for
the party nomination apparently
Is 50 close the seating of these
disputed Southern delegations
Gould a6Ac& TIA