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Most spectacular Topeka arrivals, aptly symbolizing the kind of backing every Presidential hopeful needs, were two private cars and a chartered Pullman which rolled into the railroad yards of the Great Economizer's capital last week. From one private car descended New Deal-hating Publisher Paul Block. From the Pullman descended New Deal-hating Publisher William Randolph Hearst, who arrived to look for the first time on the homely face of the man he began edging toward the White House three months ago. With "The Chief" was his Columnist Arthur Brisbane. From the other private car descended the editor of the Hearst Washington Herald, Mrs. Eleanor ("Cissy") Patterson. At the ornate, yellow and white Governor's mansion they and a group of Kansas editors and publishers including Senator Arthur Capper, got a warm welcome from black-eyed, young Mrs. Landon II. Hogan, the Landon chauffeur, was summoned from the garage and clapped into white cotton gloves to help serve a sumptuous luncheon of chicken broth, steamed oysters, rice croquettes, a green vegetable, corn bread, pumpkin pie and coffee prepared by Daisy, the Landon cook.
"If the Republican convention were held tomorrow," puffed well-fed Publisher Block when the meal was over, "Landon would receive the nomination easily. . . . He's an even bigger man than I had previously thought."
"Landon can be nominated by the Republicans and elected," puffed Publisher Hearst. "He understands the issues. . . . I think he is marvelous! To say I am favorably impressed puts it very mildly."
"He has a strong chin, which means determination," puffed Arthur Brisbane in his column next day, "and a forehead to balance it." But most of old Columnist Brisbane's enthusiasm was reserved for Nancy Jo Landon, 3. Burbled he: "It is hard to understand why Governor Landon should bother with politics, possessing such a daughter. Nothing in nature is as beautiful as a little girl, and this is a marvelously beautiful little girl. . . . She may be the first woman President."
Still withholding formal acknowledgment of his candidacy, Governor Landon continued last week to play his role of conscientious public servant modestly awaiting a call to higher service. But Wall Street betting commissioners would offer no more than even money against his nomination. Press picture services were ready to bet 1,000 to 1 on the Governor's yearnings when they were furnished with a series of photographs depicting Alf M. Landon at six months in long skirts; Alf M. Landon going on 3 years in sailor straw and enormous kilts; Alf M. Landon at 4 in an embroidered collar; Alf M. Landon at 7 in breeches and sweater with his lop-eared dog (see cut); Alf M. Landon at 10 in long coat and pancake hat.
Meantime another and less traditional way to pursue a Presidential nomination was being demonstrated by Colonel Frank Knox, energetic publisher of the Chicago Daily News. Aspirant Knox was speeding back & forth across the land, making speeches, giving interviews, openly creating for himself the publicity buildup, the indispensable "name & face stuff," which Governor Landon was getting by indirection. Fiscal 1936, Colonel Knox told Worcester (Mass.) Republican women last week, will end with a national public debt of $34,000,000,000.