Pre-Convention

The boom of Mr. Coolidge for the Republican nomination has almost ceased to exist. From a boom it seems to have changed into a genuine percussion. On one day last week, the President administered a staggering blow to each of his two most conspicuous opponents in the Republican Party. In the Republican primary in New Jersey, the President polled eight or nine times as many votes as did Senator Hiram Johnson. In the Republican primary in Pennsylvania, Governor Gifford Pinchot, who was a candidate for delegate-at-large and had frequently attacked the Administration, was defeated by a Coolidge man, two to one. The Republican State Convention in Oklahoma instructed Oklahoma's 25 delegates for Coolidge. In all, the President had 707 delegates assured him in the convention (some are uninstructed, but favorable to him, and, barring an upheaval, their votes may be counted upon). All that Mr. Coolidge needs in order to be nominated on the first ballot are 555 votes.

It is little wonder that the voice of Hiram Johnson failed. He toured through Ohio bitterly attacking the Administration. He shouted: "I have dedicated myself to burst up this alliance between big crooked business and crooked politics!" But he gave up the remainder of his speaking trip, which was to have included Indiana. Physically, vocally, he was exhausted. He boarded a train for Washington, talking in a whisper.

In the opinion of political observers, Mr. Johnson's campaign had given out, just as much as his voice. The centre of interest among Republicans shifted straightway to the choice of a Vice Presidential candidate. John J. Pershing was spoken of. He quieted the talk by two sharp sentences of denial. Charles G. Dawes was much mentioned, as also ex-Governor Lowden of Illinois, and Senator Borah. Much more mentioning will surely follow.

The Democratic party continued unwilling to commit itself on the question of a candidate. The situation was histrionically set out last week by the Gridiron Club--a club of Washington correspondents--at its Spring dinner. President Coolidge, Sir Esme Howard, John W. Davis were guests. A political skit was staged.

The Inquisitor General, satisfied that the Democratic ticket read like a John Doe warrant, there upon subpenaed "the great John Doe of history--the Man in the Iron Mask." The masked candidate testified:

"Some men think that I am Samuel M. Ralston and serenade me with The Moon Shines Bright Tonight Along the Wabash. I have been addressed as John W. Davis, and asked to trade fat retainers for a nomination. Some call me McAdoo and ask whether I am from New York or California. I have been toasted as James M. Cox and assured that 7,000,000 aren't so many after all. I have been feted as Oscar W. Underwood, while the band played Dixie, as some others said 'Hello, Al' and sang The Sidewalks of New York.

"Some believe my name is Houston and dub me the leading residuary legatee. I am identified also as Copeland, the medicine man of the Tammany tribe. Colonel Harvey thinks I am Senator Joe Robinson of Arkansas. They once called me Reed before Jim tried to show 'em in Missouri. Some even think I'm a college president-- I've forgotten his name. I have only one consolation. Nobody has suggested that I am Bryan."