Iowa: Ike 15, Taft 9

Harrison E. Spangler, Iowa's veteran (20 years) Republican national committeeman, predicted that 20 of the state's 26 delegates to the National Convention would be for Taft. But that was before the Eisenhower ground swell rose in Iowa. As the Ike boom grew, the Taft men pared their claims, finally said they would be satisfied with an even split.

Last week 3,030 delegates from Iowa's 99 counties met at congressional district and state conventions in Des Moines to name the 26. The Eisenhower forces had a majority in four district conventions, covering the center section of Iowa (including Des Moines). Result: eight district delegates for Ike. Taft men had control of two districts in the eastern end of the state (including Davenport), and two in the west (including Sioux City). Result: eight delegates for Taft.

Then a nominating committee met to select a slate of ten delegates at large. The committee was deadlocked: four for Ike, four for Taft. Ike's four, sure they had a majority on the convention floor, demanded six or seven delegates at large.

For nearly five hours the committee was deadlocked. By that time frantic calls were coming in from the theater at which the convention was being held. A performance of Darkness at Noon was scheduled for that night, and the convention had to clear out. Faced with that deadline, the committee agreed: six delegates for Ike, one (Spangler) for Taft and three uncommitted. One uncommitted choice, Mrs. Gertrude Wilharm, turned out to be for Ike.

When Spangler's name was read to the convention, shouts of "No!" "No!" rose up from Eisenhower supporters. But they quieted down when they heard all the pro-Ike names, and the convention approved the slate. The Eisenhower forces had won a clear-cut victory in an important farm state. The final count: Ike 15, Taft 9, uncommitted 2.

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