Phillip W. McAbee

PRIMARY FRAUD

CHARGE IS HEARD

Lake County Goes Strong for

Johnson; Wood Vote in

Marion Co. Questioned

VOTED ONLY FOR HIM

Four Thousand Such Voters

According to Statement of

Indianapolis Times.

Journal-Gazette News Bureau

Star Building.

INDIANAPOLIS. May 6. — Late returns from Lake county to-day cut down General Wood's plurality over Senator Hiram Johnson to 5,503. These returns increased the Johnson vote 4,008. With a few precincts out the Wood plurality apparently is less than 6,000. It was estimated last night that it would run between 8,000 and 10,000. Wood leaders expressed surprise at the late returns from Lake county. The latter, however, was a Johnson stronghold from the start. Practically complete returns show that Wood carried Indianapolis by 7,087 over Johnson. He carried Fort Wayne and Allen county over Johnson by a handsome majority. The Wood victories in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne practically offset the big Johnson showing in Lake county and at Evansville. While Wood leaders were inclined to suspect the late return from Lake county, the Indianapolis Times this afternoon charges ballot frauds here, it says: "One has only to glance at late returns officially tabulated to find the evidence of a fraud just as extensive as any that has prevailed heretofore. Plain evidence of fraud is shown in the fact that the unofficial tabulation of the slate in the presidential primary shows that approximately 4,703 more votes were recorded in the presidential primary than were recorded in the vote for treasurer, which was the center of interest in the Marion county race. If these figurers really represented votes cast at the primary they could be explained only on the theory that more than 4,000 republicans in Marion county went to the polls and voted for a presidential candidate only. This, of course, is preposterous."

Interest in Indiana now centers in the fight for control of the delegation to be elected by the republicans next Wednesday and Thursday. Fred Joss, Indianapolis, connected with the Wood national headquarters at Chicago, conferred this afternoon with Senator Watson. The latter is reported to have replied that he will abide by the decision of the state convention but is opposed to instructions. Senator New, who arrived in Indianapolis to-day, also is opposed to instructions. Warren McCray, successful candidate for governor, opposes instructions. He went to Kentland, his home, this afternoon but will return Saturday. Movements for and against instructions were under way in strong shape to-day. Among those who are mentioned for delegates at large by the Wood leaders to the National convention are Phil A. McCabe [sic] Phil W. McAbee, of Muncie, vice president of the Hemingray Glass Co., who was a soldier in France under General Edward Glenn; Colonel Hiram Bearss, of Peru, known in the service as Hiking Hiram; Mrs. A. H. Beardsly, of Elkhart; Charles A. Bookwalter and Harry Chamberlin, of Indianapolis; and Miss Helen Bendridge, of Terre Haute.

It was reported to-day that a compromise may be reached on the election of the Indiana delegation, the members agreeing to support Wood while he seems to have a chance to win. This plan is said to be acceptable to some of the Wood conservative leaders who fear they cannot instruct the delegates at large owing to the large opposition. Watson's friends claimed to-night that they have a makority on the state committee and will be able to elect a chairman to succeed Edmund Wasmuth.