Booms

Primaries proceed apace. The great adventure last week was the Wisconsin Democratic primary. There Governor Al Smith of New York took victory away from William G. McAdoo. It was Mr. McAdoo's first serious set-back in a primary vote. Governor Smith had made no purposeful campaign, and pointed out that he had never had official notification that his name was entered. But Smith had the reputation of being a Wet; McAdoo is a well known Dry; and Milwaukee is famous.

In the Republican primary in the same state, La Follette had better than a 2 to 1 lead over Coolidge. It appeared that the President would receive two delegates from one district.

Meanwhile candidates counted their advantages.

Calvin Coolidge. William M. Butler, Mr. Coolidge's campaign manager, declared that by April 22 there will be 620 delegates--65 more than necessary in the Coolidge camp. He claimed 385 delegates were already in camp. This claim includes uninstructed delegates, said to be favorable to the President--but, barring accidents, the claim is probably good. During the week, Maine had instructed her 15 delegates for Coolidge (the first time since 1896 that Maine has instructed her delegates); Connecticut chose 17 delegates, favorable but uninstructed; local conventions in Missouri gave Mr. Coolidge 8 more delegates, 4 of them definitely instructed. The Washington Republican State Convention instructed its 17 delegates for Coolidge.

Hiram Johnson. The Senator from California stood like another Canute, saying to the Coolidge tide: "Go back, go back!" Perhaps he is a greater king than Canute, but the political world did not think so. He circulated in Illinois, asking voters: "To whom are the defeated farmers of the West to look?"

Robert La Follette. The vote of Wisconsin is securely in Fighting Bob's pocket. It has two significances: 1) Either as a threat of a third party to make the Old Guard do his bidding; 2) or a nucleus with which openly to secede from the G. O. P. and start alone. Mr. La Follette's health seems to prejudice serious consideration of the latter course.

William G. McAdoo. Defeated in Wisconsin, after a victory in Georgia, Mr. McAdoo has still by all odds the biggest group of delegates of any Democrat. It is possible that he will have about half of them. But he would need two-thirds for nomination--and politicians do not see a prospect of the addition. Nevertheless, the McAdoo group's second choice may well be chosen. But who is he? There are many who would like to be that second choice. At least three Senators are suggested for it: Ralston, Robinson, Glass.

On the opposite side of the fence, men who, because of wetness or conservatism are practically out of consideration as heirs to McAdoo delegations, are Senator Underwood, Governors Smith of New York, Silzer of New Jersey, Ritchie of Maryland.

There are many others who do not fall definitely in either of these two camps--such unclassifiables or impossibles as Ambassador John W. Davis, John Barton Payne, Josephus Daniels, James M. Cox, William J. Bryan.