The Man Who Wasn't There

Almost any audience larger than a twosome has an attraction for California's Governor Goodwin Jess Knight, who travels tirelessly around the state with his big right hand ready for the shake and his vocal cords for the speech. But last week "Goody" Knight conspicuously stayed away from a banner Republican gathering in Southern California. Reason: the guest of honor was Vice President Richard Nixon, a fellow Californian whose hand Governor Knight prefers not to shake.

Nice & Busy. The differences between Knight and Nixon are both personal and political. Some Californians trace open signs of ill will to a 1952 campaign incident, when Knight was brushed off (and shoved out of camera range) when he showed up to welcome Nixon at a California airport. Ever since then. Goody has spoken sulphurously of Dick in private, and the California G.O.P. central committee, which the governor controls, has slighted the Vice President instead of offering him the traditional home-state support. Last week the governor welcomed the Vice President with the warmth of an arctic midnight.

Nixon was there at the invitation of the Los Angeles World Affairs Council, to make a report on his recent Caribbean trip (TIME, March 14). Local G.O.P. leaders decided to welcome him with a party gathering, made plans for a luncheon at the Ambassador Hotel. "It was agreed," said Los Angeles County G.O.P. Chairman John Krehbiel, "that Governor Knight should be honorary chairman." But when Krehbiel phoned to ask the governor, Goody was not enthusiastic. "That's nice." he said, "but I'll have to look at my calendar."

Tickets for the Nixon luncheon sold so fast that the Ambassador's five dining rooms were all booked--the first time all were ever taken for a single event. The committee, sure that Goody could not keep away, announced that he was to be the honorary chairman. But Goody's office sent an unsigned letter, written by a stenographer, saying that he could not come: he had a TV engagement with some A.F.L. Teamsters' Union officials and a dinner date with state legislators.

Gentle as a Razor. When Vice President Nixon arrived at the Ambassador on the appointed day, the hotel was jammed with a record turnout of 2,520 cheering California Republicans. Absent: Governor Knight, Knight's Lieutenant Governor Harold J. Powers and Knight's State G.O.P. Chairman Thomas W. Caldecott. Goody Knight's telegraphed message was so obviously cool that Luncheon Chairman Krehbiel would not read it out or show it to reporters.

In his speech, Nixon exacted the sweet and subtle vengeance of polite politics. "We can't afford petty quarrels," he said. Then, with the gentleness of a new razor blade, he named and praised outstanding California Republicans. He had something good to say about U.S. Senators William F. Knowland and Thomas H. Kuchel; he mentioned former Governor (now U.S. Chief Justice) Earl Warren. But never once did he utter the name of Goodwin J. Knight. There was only a passing reference to "our present governor."

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.