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The Hughes-Johnson facts are as follows: About 4 p. m. on Aug. 21, 1916, Governor Johnson entered a hotel at Long Beach, Calif. Nominee Hughes entered the same hotel at about 5 p. m. Mr. Hughes held an informal reception. Mr. Johnson stayed in his own room. There was no meeting, no handshake. Mr. Johnson said he had not known Mr. Hughes was in the hotel. Mr. Hughes did not comment. Next day, California Progressives were enraged at Mr. Hughes. Mr. Johnson, however, said he was still supporting Mr. Hughes. On Aug. 23, when Mr. Hughes left for the East, Mr. Johnson and friends were absent, conspicuously, from the farewell party. Mr. Johnson's friends continued to express rage at Mr. Hughes. Mr. Johnson continued to say he supported Mr. Hughes. On election day, Mr. Johnson was elected to the Senate, but some 65% of California's Progressives voted against Mr. Hughes, who thereby lost the Presidency. On Nov. 12, after the election, Mr. Johnson made a speech praising Mr. Hughes, whose friends thereupon accused Mr. Johnson of having buried Mr. Hughes. Only one authorityMr. Johnson's consciencecould say whether or not Mr. Johnson's pro-Hughes efforts were as effective as they might have been in assuaging the towering pique of Mr. Johnson's friends.ED.
