A year ago, Ronald Reagan was a political unknown. Today, he is the Governor of the nation's biggest state–in population–and rising fast in the public-opinion polls for the presidency. West Coast observers say Mr. Reagan has struck a new vein of support in the broad middle class of voters. His backers think it could develop into a bonanza for the Republicans.

SAN FRANCISCO–After six months as Governor of California–biggest State in the nation in population–Ronald Reagan now is regarded by many Republicans as a serious contender for the 1968 presidential nomination.

Predictions are heard that a "Draft Reagan" committee will be operating by the end of this year–rivaling the presidential campaigns now being waged on behalf of Governor George Romney of Michigan and former Vice President Richard M. Nixon.

Rise in polls. The Gallup Poll reported on July 12 that the 56-year-old California Governor now ranks third in preference of Republican voters among the leading presidential possibilities–nosing out Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller of New York.

The latest public-opinion survey among Republicans showed these percentages favoring the top four:

Nixon	39%
Romney	25%
Reagan	11%
Rockefeller	10%

Since April, Mr. Reagan gained in the Gallup Poll–from 8 to 11 per cent. Mr. Rockefeller went up one point–from 9 to 10 per cent. Mr. Nixon's rating remained the same. Mr. Romney declined–from 30 to 25 per cent.

In California, a statewide poll by Mervin D. Field July 11 showed 74 per cent of the voters credit Mr. Reagan with a "good" or "fair" job as Governor–up from 66 per cent in May. Political observers on the West Coast claim Mr. Reagan would be re-elected Governor today by as much as the million-vote majority he scored last year in defeating the former two-term Democratic Governor, Edmund G. ("Pat") Brown–or more.

Receptive. Heretofore, Mr. Reagan had been regarded as a "favorite son" candidate–for purposes of leading California's 86 delegates to the next Republican National Convention and heading off another party-splitting primary in the State like the 1964 Goldwater-Rockefeller battle.

But, at the recent Western Governors' Conference in Montana, Mr. Reagan stated: "If the Republican Party comes beating at my door, I won't say, 'Get lost, fellows.'" The Governor added he did not expect such a "draft."

Now, informed sources confide, important political money is being set aside on the West Coast for a possible Reagan campaign. Said one insider: "Leading Republicans" in California are, in fact, hoping for a Convention deadlock–from which Mr. Reagan might emerge with the nomination.

All along, the Governor has said he will not ask to have his name stricken from the ballot in key presidential primaries next spring in such States as Oregon and Nebraska. A slate of Reagan delegates may be entered in Wisconsin. Reagan Clubs are said to be springing up in other States, including Georgia and Florida.

Money raiser. Mr. Reagan, meanwhile, has been traveling around the country, speaking to selected audiences. He has been called the "most effective fund raiser" for the party since former President Eisenhower. These appearances have stirred political enthusiasm for Mr. Reagan–which may be reflected later in delegate support.

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