Evening star., 1960-07-01
Encouraged Bockers Of Stevenson
Open Center in Convention Hotel
BY ]. A. OTEARY
Star stan Writer

Backers of Adlai Stevenson,
encouraged by his statement
that he had no objections to
their activities. today opened
a Los Angeles convention head
quarters to press the drive for
his third nomination. while
supporters of Senator johnson
Of Texas continued to await
his decision on a formal dec
laration of candidacy.
Mr.. Stevenson was cornered
by reporters last night as he
left a Embarrassing party for
Senator Humphrey of Mime
sofa and was asked If he had
any objection to- having his
name placed in nomination.
mo. I don't really" he replied.
1t was the furthest the
former Illinois Governor has
gone in sanctioning activity on
his behalf. Previously, he had
said only that he is available,
but was not running for the
nomination.
Butler ReverSes Stand
His statement came just a
few hours after Democratic
National Chairman Paul M.
Butler had reversed his stand
and permitted Stevenson back
ers to open headquarters in
the Biltmore Hotel in Los An
geles, the center of convention
activity.
Senator johnson, attending
the same Humphrey function.
declined again to tell reporters
when or whether he would
make his formal entry into the
Democratic race.
Backers of both Senator
Johnson and Mr.. Stevenson
yesterday predicted eventual
victory for their men.
John Connally, executive di-
rector of the Citizens for John
son. Committee, told a press
conference yesterday he thinks
the Texas Senator will be NOM
mated by the third or fourth
ballot.
Senator Monroney. Democrat
of Oklahoma, a leading backer
of Mr.. Stevenson, said he ex-
poets the former Illinois Gov
ernor to be "everyone's second
choice" after each of the other
contenders has made his, bid Il
for the nomination and been
eliminated.
8 or 8 Ballots Seen
The Oklahoma Senator spec
ulated that it may take as
many as eight or nine ballots
for the convention to draft
Mr., Stevenson, who continues
to insist he is not a candidate
but would accept a draft.
Both, camps are proceeding
on the assumption that Sena-
tor Kennedy. of Massachusetts,,
the admitted frontrunner, will
not be able to reach the re-
quired 761 votes on an early
ballot and will then begin to
lose ground.
Senator Monroney contended
none of the men being men
toned for the nomination will
be within 100 votes of the re-
quired 761 "in the foreseeable
future"
This is how Mr.. Connally
sees the early balloting: Sena-
tor Kennedy will have less than
900 and Senator johnson more
than 500 on the first ballot.
On the second ballot, he ex-
poets Senator johnson to move
up to above the 600 mark and
be within 20 votes of Senator
Kennedy.
"WOn't Accept End Place"
Asked if this meant he was
predicting Senator Johnson's
nomination on the third ballot,
Mr.. Connally said that might
be optimistic, and that victory
on the fourth would be more
likely.
Oscar Chapman, chairman
of the Citizens for johnson
Committee, met the press with
Mr.. Connally and emphatically
denied recent rumors that Sem
ator johnson might withdraw
or take second place on the
Democratic ticket.
THE answer is 'no'-he will
not withdraw and will, not be
in second place with anyone
because he is going to be non1i-
mated" said Mr.. Chapman,
This was an answer to the
charge by Republican National
Chairman, Senator Morton OF
Kentucky, that Mr.. Truman's
withdrawal as a delegate inoi-
Gated a deal has been made for
a Kennedy-JohnSon ticket.
Mr.. Chapman said he still ex-
poets Senator johnson to an
nounce formally as a candidate
after Congress recesses tomor-
row.
Mr.. Chapman also retorted
to the charge of Americans for
Democratic Action that the
nomination of Senator johnson
would make a mockery of the
Democratic Party's professions
of liberalism" and lead to GER
tain defeat in November. The
ADA called the Texas Senator
a conservative anti-civil rights
gas-and oil Senator"
Mr.. Chapman said the ADA
spokesmen have forgotten the
days when Senator johnson
was "the only friend they had
supporting the New Deal"
AS to Senator Johnson's sup
port of oil interests, Mr.. Chap
man said ANY Senator who
does not look after his con-
stituents is not going to be ir
tho Canofo lOrOv He SaiC