Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-13
Continued From First Page

Neither Senator johnson nor
Senator Symington admits that
he is a dark horse candidate.
Senator johnson, however, and
his supporters are engaged in
building up q bloc of Southern
delegates-and seeking support
in other sections. He has Texas
big delegation in his pocket. He
insists it will vote for him. not
only on the first ballot. but will
keep on voting for him. He is
unwilling, at this point. to say
to what candidate it will 60. i
he finds he cannot make the
grade.
SymingtOn Could Benefit
Senator Symington could be
the beneficiary of a deadlockeo
conventions deadlock which
can only materialize if Senator
johnson is successful in holding
| a considerable number of the
Southern delegates away from
Mr.. Stevenson. The Missouri
Senator, when asked at 9
press conference on his arrival
here whether he was an "activt
candidate" replied; II consider
myself in the hands of the Mis-
souri, delegation" He holds the
delegation as a "favorite son."
Mr.. Truman and Senator Sy-
mington conferred yesterday. Or
his walk, the former President
told newsmen: Il had a very
pleasant meeting with Mr.. Sy-
mington and, for your informa-
ton, we talked politics.
Senator Symington, however
is the second string to former
President Truman's bow, in thu
Ilatter's effort to defeat Mr.. Ste.
venson for the nomination. i
Gov. Hartman cannot win. thu
Hartman forces in the conven-
ton and Mr.. Humans influence
might transfer to Symington.
All of this depends On the for
nation of a coalition sufficient!
strong to prevent a Stevenson
nomination on an early ballot
still very iffy proposition.
i It also depends on the ultimatl
decision of Senator johnson
who could. if he throws aside hi
own candidacy, PUNK for Mr.
Stevenson and bring about thl
nomination of the former Illinois
Governor with little more ado
The Texan, by such an operation
could make himself. not a Presi'
dent. but a President-maker.
Has Certain Detectives
At the moment, Senator John
son declined to throw any ligh
on his probable course. He ha.
certain obJectives. They includ,
a party platform acceptable tt
the South. That means an &C
ceptable civil rights plank. The!
include, too, assurance Of a pres
Iidential candidate and a vicl
presidential candidate friendl.
to and acceptable by the South
He occupies, in effect, q bar
gaining position. Particularly a.
the platform committee of tn,
convention struggles to draft |
civil rights plank.
Senator johnson said to thi
correspondent:
Let's pat first things first
Let's see what We get for ;
platform" He made it clear h,
would not discuss presidential
candidates until he knew wha
the document contained. Thu
platform committee will not re
port the document until Wednes
day. s.
Walter Reuther, president o
the United Automobile Workers
will, it was learned, come on
for Mr.. Stevenson, perhap
today. Mr.. Reuther is a politica
power in Michigan and has som
IS Of his union members on tn
States delegation. There are Il
more of the union members a
delegates from other States
; principally Wisconsin. MI
Reuther could be a real force il
. throwing the Michigan delega
, ton to Mr.. Stevenson when tn
time comes. His bitter rival Of
many occasions, David j. Nc
! Donald, president Of the Unite,
Steel Workers has already de
clared for Mr.. Hartman.
Bloc Figures Questioned
The fact that a number Of tn
Southern State delegations al,
changing to Mr.. Stevenson raise
a serious question whether Sena
tor johnson can bring about
johnson bloc Of 200 convention
votes. which has been the mum
Der mentioned by some Of hi
managers. The next "a hour
should show. There is always
possibility that. II the platform
proves unsatisfactory to tn
South. delegates would flock u
Senator johnson.
Gov. Hartman and his man
. ayers declared that Mr.. Tru
J mans strong Endorsement ha
changed the whole picture Il
: Chicago; that the Stevenson
; bandwagon has been successful
halted in its tracks and tina
Mr.. Hartman will win. Will
: they are counting on Senator
! Johnson and Symington for he'll
! in this stop Stevenson drive, the
are expecting to use them 10
the benefit Of Gov. Hartman
and for no one else.
] Lloyd Beneneld. Hartman
Campaign manager issued