Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 18, Number 27, DeMotte, Jasper County, 4 June 1948 — Halleck Has First Hold On Indiana Bloc [ARTICLE]

Halleck Has First Hold On Indiana Bloc

White House Candidates Steer Clear Of Hoosier State In Deference To “Native Son” Indianapolis, Ind., June 2 Indiana’s strange immunity from Republican presidential campaigning is puzzling to political observers these days. Although all the major G.O.P. aspirants for the White House have vast hungers for delegates, no presidential candidate has invaded the Hoosier State, which has 29 delegates to the national convention. Common opinion is that the Indiana delegates on the first ballot will vote for Rep. Charles A. Halleck, Republican majority floor leader of the House and then wend their separate ways with various candidates. However word from Washington that Halleck takes himself seriously as a vice-presidential possibility may solidify the Hoosier GOP delegates so that they may be available for a trade with the presidential candidate they deem most likely to succeed. Twenty-two Indiana delegates will be elected at caucuses of the 11 congressional districts on June 10, with two for each district. The remaining seven are delegates at large and will be nominated and elected at the state convention the following day. Indiana will be the last state to pick national convention delegates. If tradition is observed, following are sure to be named: Senators Homer E. Capehart and William E. Jenner; Governor Ralph F. Gates, who also is national committeeman; Mrs. Cecil Hardin, national committeewoman; H. ClaYk Springer, state chairman and Halleck. Former Senator Raymond E. Willis is considered a probable choice for the seventh delegate-at-large. Although- former Senator James E. Watson and former Postmaster General Will Hays both have been mentioned. William L. Hutcheson, international President of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, ha£ sought a seat on the delegation but has been discouraged by Chairman Springer because of his threats against GOP congressmen who voted for the Taft Hartley Act. Hutcheson has been a delegates to a number of national conventions and has served as head of the labor bureau at national headquarters of the party. Despite the Halleck commitment, it might be well for Senator Robert A. Taft, Governor Thomas E. Dewey, former Governor Harold E. Stassen et al., to bestir themselves in Hoosierdom, for second choice delegates, according to some observers. Several weeks ago Stassen sent word that he will come to Indiana after the state convention, but other presidential hopefuls apparently will not be on deck. Senator Capehart and Governor Gates and Chairman Springer generally are regarded as favorable- to Senator Taft and Senator Jenner to Governor •'Dewey.

There is practically no organization GOP sentiment for Stassen and little for Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg. Nevertheless, Representative Edward (Oleo) Mitchell, of Evansville, who may be a district delegate, favors Stassen a fellow naval officer in World War 11. Observers believe the situation will be clarified somewhat by_ the result of the gubernatorial contest in the state convention.