Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-22

The most diligent drill-leader
Is Vice President Nixon, who acts
like a candidate except he does
not ask for votes.
All day Monday he energetic
ally toured San Francisco, visit
ing FisherIf1en's Wharf, auto
graphing menus, riding on a
cable car. Yesterday, he was re-
ceiving delegates in his suite at
the Mark Hopkins Hotel.
Contrasts With Chicago
The procedure illustrated still
another difference between this
open convention and the one re-
Gently held by the Democrats.
In Chicago. it was not considered
a social error to suggest alter
native candidates and the hope
fuls themselves careened all over
the city, sowing rumors as they
went. .
Here the only rumor current
on the fog bound morning while
the delegates awaited the captain
of the team was of a slight
alteration over the relative
merits of New York and San
Francisco restaurants. ~ =
In Chicago, where rivals were
apt to find themselves face to
face grasping for the hand of
the same uninstructed delegate,
convention campaigning was a
lively business. Here where there
is no competition, it is a muted,
deeorous social call.
Velvet ropes across the COR
ridor outside the Nixon suite
gently restrained the visitors,
and aides examine their creden-
tials State by State. Accom-
panied by their chairmen, the
delegations are ushered into the
Wee Presidents living room.
An Arizona lady waiting her
turn in line said to her neigh
bofs: "he mtagonizes a lot of
people. but he is a worker"
"A few Grant Wood types from
the plains Joined the befurred
aud feathered ladies and the
more prosperous looking types
for whose benefit, presumably.
TIE Wall Street Journal is left
at the doors of all the better
hbtels.
The Vice President entered the
aNemblage to a burst of hand
chipping.
He spoke in his pleasant voice
Of his pleasant vacation in Arr
z0na, of his concern for its
water problem. He reminded his
visitors that they had already
heard eloquent speeches from
such fine orators as Bill Know
land"
Sim not going to try to COM
pete with some of those folks, E"
he said with smile.
After some more pleasantries
he told them he was going to tell
them something that might sur
prise them. He said he thought
that while the coming campaign
might be tougher. he did not
think it would be closer.
Kind Word for Democrats
He warned against compla-
cency. There was a rustling
among the furs and feathers
and some nodding from the
plainsmen.
Then the most partisan of Re-
publicans said something that
might have really surprised
them-kind words about the
enemy.
%Our friends of the other
side" he said. land we must give
them every benefit of the doubt
are dedicated men but they are
an unknown quantity"
We had heard, he said of Ari-
zona's kind Endorsement Of his
own vice presidential aspira
tons. but he FASTENED to assure
them their visit had absolutely
no relation TO their support OF
him. Whomever they chose, he
told them, III be in there
fighting with you for the vic
tory"
Delighted gasps were heard a.
he finished with a deferentia
request.
''1'd like 10 shake hands with
you II you don't mind"
They didn't mind at all.
Alone in the Ring
II the Vice President seemed
to be pulling his punches. hi
had reason. He is to all intent.
and purposes alone in the ring
A small percentage Of tn,