HOOVER A CERTAINTY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 379, 13 June 1928, Page 9

HOOVER A CERTAINTY

Republican Choice Forecast A LEADERLESS CONVENTION Glare and Glamour at Kansas HOOVER, the United States Secretary of Commerce, is almost certain to carry the Republican banner in the presidential battle. The Republicans, assembled in strong - force at Kansas City, show signs of a need of powerful leadership; but the Hoover forces seem to have won through. (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian Press Association)

Received 9.5 a.m. KANSAS CITY, Tuesday. In the Republican Convention Hall it was only too obvious that the Republicans lacked definite and strong leadership to coagulate the variety of sentiments and personalities that were dissipating their strength. It was not until the early hours of this morning that something like unanimity was reached among the important leaders. Mr. Coolidge, In 1924, Issued orders and they were obeyed, but there was nobody to take his place. All night long Mr. Mellon’s headquarters, those of Senator W. M. Butler, ostensibly representing Mr. Coolidge, and those of Senator Reed Smoot, who was entrusted with the preliminary draft platform, were crowded with Hoover and anti-Hoover groups, each trying

to make themselves heard. There was no one strong enough to issue a command that all would obey. But it seems that the Hoover forces have won out, though their victory is not yet admitted by their opponents. , Senator \V. M. Butler, as the delegate from. Massachusetts, has just announced that his vote will be cast for Mr. Hoover, but says that President Coolidge does not wish this to be interpreted as the President expressing preference for any candidate, though he himself does not desire nomination. The certain quietus, however, that this will put on the “Draft Coolidge’’ movement must definitely aid Mr. Hoover, who now is as nearly assured of nomination as anyone can be before the ballotting actually begins. The Pennsylvania delegation, meeting in caucus, has just decided to cast its 79 votes unanimously for Mr. Hoover. All these facts conspire to direct the leadership of the Republican Party into Mr. Hoover’s hands. Sitting, as he does, at the end of leased long-distance telephone wires from Washington to Kansas City, he is in a physical position to make his will known instantaneously. It is clear that during the next two or three days his orders, issued from Washington, will be obeyed. FLAMBOYANT SPEECH Senator Simeon D. Fess, tem-

porary chairman of the convention, in a keynote address, was flamboyant in his praise of the Republican accomplishments in office.

He made a tacit defence of President Coolidge’s action toward agricultural relief: “None should doubt the purpose of the party to aid this greatest of industries, with every consideration short of unsound proposals of Government stimulation of artificial remedies, which in the end may only add to our problems.” He concluded with an amazingly adulatory commendation of President Coolidge, ending up: “He leaves office by his own fiat, which appears to be final, and is so interpreted by many of his friends, despite the fact that his nomination and election would be a foregone conclusion, did he not forbid.” AMERICA’S GREAT THEATRE Generally speaking, the major party in the national convention physically differs little over quadrennial periods, but it is difficult not to feel their intense nervous magnetism. They are America’s biggest and most effective theatre, perhaps because the spectators are also actors. The temporary chairman at this moment has brought his gavel down, bringing the convention to order, and immediately a crash of applause from 12,000 tense persons shakes the huge hall, but quiet comes instantly when Bishop Partridge rises to utter a prayer. However callous and theatrical the aspect of the whole business is may be seen as the great blinding Klieg lights blaze up upon the bishop, and their hissing drowns out his voice, while movie men take pictures. TWENTY MOVIE CAMERAS By actual count, 20 movie cameras are trained on the speakers’ platform, and their activities contribute to the noise if not to the reaidy-made enthusiasm of the ceremony. The smack of the whole business is artificial, particularly if one remembers that the convention is not gathered to act on its spontaneous desires for either candidate or platform. The delegates are merely waiting for orders from a handful of men. who are at present away from the convention hall, still arguing despite the fact that Mr. Hoover is at rallying point.

The voice of Senator Fess has begun to drone and he is becoming uninteresting. The delegates, under their State standards, are warm. The

atmosphere is steaming. It lias rained all morning, but on Thursday or Friday, when the ballotting begins, and the delegates begin their snake dances, with waving banners and noisy bands, they will have all the excitement for which they came to Kansas City. AMUSING MOMENTS There were amusing moments. Senator Fess’s speech suddenly switched to an appraisal of America’s greatness. He said: “America has

more homes fitted with all modern conveniences, with more baths, than the next greatest nation on the earth, Britain,” and in the next moment, wholly unconscious of the peculiar transaction, he began a technical discussion of the League of Nations and the Washington Conference. A rumour now spread over the convention floor that General G. C. Dawes would be re-nominated for the VicePresidency, and that Senator Watson and Senator Goff have withdrawn as aspirants for the Presidential nomination. Senator Fess, with his first mention of President Coolidge in his address, produced the first prolonged applause, but previous mention of President Wilson also elated vigorous handclapping, much to Senator Fess’s surprise. The convention then adjourned until to-morrow, the various bands producing marching music.