The Washington times., 1910-05-27
REED AND FRANCIS
MUST GO ON RECORD
Folk Dinner In St. Louis
Will Force Show of
Hands.

ST. LOUIS. No, May 27.-Wir David
r Francis and James \. Reed attend
the FoIk-for- PresldeE. banquet at the
= Southern Hotel June 2?
That Is the question that the political
wise ones in Missouri are asking each
other Back Of it is the history Of the
factional fights Of the Democrats and
the strategic position occupied by the
friends Of the former governor in their
tight for the 1912 nomination. It also
includes the attitude that the factions
which in the past have opposed Folk
Viu display toward his suggestion for
the Presidential nomination.
There is no doubt whatever that the
dinner viii put the two candidates for
the senatorship in the position OF de-
clarinC themselves on the Folk-for-
President movement II they attend
the dinner. which is 10 include all Of
the prominent Democrats Of Missouri.
so far as the Invitations go, IL viii
place them in the attitude of indorsing
the movement
If either of them stays away # will
increase the factional differences of
the party. And what is worse from
their own standpoint. their absence
Will mean a decline in the Senatorial
stock Of whichever one decides 20 turn
down the invitation 20 the affair.
Both VIII Attend, Is Belief
They have TO go declared a friend
Of Governor Francis, who says the St
Louis financier cannot afford to re-
main away. for his absence will elm
mate him as candidate for the Sen
ate"
Because OF the past possibility Of
Folks entering the Senatorial fight,
the action Of Reed and Francis is par
tiCularly significant in Missouri poll
tics. Practically every other candi-
date for Democratic nomination In the
State win be in a similar attitude, but
this Is regarded as a fOreEOne COnClu-
sion that there viii be a large sprink-
ling OF the latter at the dollar dinner
What Presence Means.
Francis presence is particularly in
teresting, for he is regarded as an
other possible candidate for the
greater office. But attendance at the
dinner means that he will be elimi-
mated as Missouri's offering TO the
tender mercies OF the national De-
nocracy.
At the same time his presence, or the
under no circumstances. can get in the
Senatorial fight on the ground that he
would be in the position of opposing a
man that had befriended him. Should
Reed attend. and IL is thought he will.
and Francis should not, the Folk men,
II is declared. would be forced 70 sup
port the candidacy of the Kansas City
man for the Senate, although Reed and
Folk have been bitter political enemies
since the ST. Louisan came into the
limelight ten years ago
Many Candidates to Attend
Candidates for State Offices. CongTes-
sional nominations. State senatorial can
didates and representatives are expected
at the dinner Their presence viii mean
an easier time for the Folk men in per-
sUading the candidates convention at
Jefferson City September 9 to indorse
TIE Folk-for-P President movement, and
IN that way give official momentum 10
the movement.
FRANCIS win attend the dinner con
tinued the friend Of the Senatorial candi-
date, las viii Reed, Sam Cook. Dock
ery and all OF them.
you mark what I say. Francis will
be seated 10 Folks right, with Lon San
ders sitting to his right. while Reed,
Nelson w. Mcleod, DOckery, and Van
diver win he sandwiched I'm on the other
side. Personally, I do not see how il
can be escaped"
Following the dinner II IS planned BY
Sanders. Mcleod Nandiver and the
other Folk men 10 open headquarters OF
the Folk-fOT-President movement in one
OF the office buildings. When that is
done they declare their energies will
be devoted 10 pushing the consideration
Of the Missourian for the Democratic
nomination.