Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-03-18
WILSON'S FRIENDS
REFUSE TO WORRY
Bryan, Clark and Underwood
Said to Be Eyeing
1916 Nomination.
PRESIDENT WOULD HAVE
FIRST CALL IF HE RUNS
Other Party Leaders Declared to Be
Merely Preparing for
ANY Engency.

| ANY EFFICIENCY.
! Friends Of President Wilson express
themselves AZ not perturbed over the
speechmaking activities of william ].
| Bryan and Champ Clark, or the rumors
that both men, through their warm
friends, are beginning to line things up
for next year. The Wilson men stand
pat on the belief that the President will
wish to succeed himself. and that Sec
rotary Bryan Speaker Clark. Senator
| Underwood and other big men Of the
| party will not care to bring on a con-
test under the circumstances.
While the President has made no an
poses. next year. his most intimate
| friends are thoroughly convinced that
the democrats of the country will de-
mand him as the nominee and as tho
against the republicans. So far as a
thing can be settled without the def
mite statement of the man most in
terested, President Wilson will look to
term.
Ready to Concede Nomination.
| The supporters Of other candidates
| than President Wilson are ready to
concede his nomination unless the IN
expected happens between now and
| convention day. But these men sug-
gest the eventualities Of politics are
as uncertain as those in any other
sphere of life. And this fact induces
friends Of those named to point out
that there is no reason why the pos
| sible candidates should not keep their
lightning n although
| they may have only the slightest hope
that the rods may bring them what
they so ardently desire.
Supporters of the President are will
Ing to yield to the argument that the
warm friendship now existing between
Mr.. Wilson and the Speaker is no rea-
son why the Speaker should not be pre-
pared. through different methods. to
enter the race next year II conditions
warrant his doing SO.
Preparedness Essential.
A belief has obtained wide credence
in portions OF the country that the
Speaker has inside Information that the
President will not be a candidate next
year. and that. thus fortified. he is
slowly getting the machinery ready
for the fierce contest that would fol-
low. with Bryan and Underwood as his
chief opponents.
To be unprepared for the possibilities
Of next year would be to show lack Of
intelligence, 1t is pointed out, and Mr.
Clark knows the political game too
well to be caught mapping. He will
have his powder dry and his shot in
shape should the game be worth hunt
Ing for. ...
The thoughts that animate Mr. Clark
| may be along the Same lines as those
| moving Mr.. Bryan and Mr.. Underwood.
it was limited today. They are all go
ing to be prepared for the fight that
would come II MP Wilson should him
self be satisfied with ono term or should
feel that he had better not be a candi-
date again.
Getting Over Country.
Speaker Clark is getting around through
the country. He has lately been paying
marked attention to strong element OF
the country's hyphenated voting popula-
ton Secretary Bryan has been making
the prohibitionists warm to him by his
plans OF saving men from the demon rum.
Mr.. Underwood, though not 80 active.
nor travelling 30 much. has been telling
the newspaper men things that the bust
ness world will appreciate. All political
generals today express the opinion that
the business man will be an important
factor next year. The country looks on
him more kindly than in recent years.
Everybody has had a strong taste Of
long or legislate against 1t too often.
People want prosperity and not de-
preston.
The business man will be worth
something in politics next year Mr..
Underwood knows that. Politicians
also claim that prohibition may be a
tremendous factor next year. Seem
ingly the sentiment for 1t has grown
| Immensely In the last few months
| Mr.. Bryan has always catered to the
drys. He banned everything from the
| official drink list but grape Juice.
Opposed in New York.
| Men not so ardently disposed toward
Mr.. Wilson. and who think he will
mako q mistake If he Is again q candi-
date, claim that tho President would
never be able to carry New York again,
and that without the state he could
not be elected. Organization men there
4 are said to be dead set against him,
and to talk on the streets and every
4 where that he will lose the state by
| several hundred thousand votes IL he
i runs again.
/ President Wilson ana Mr.. Bryan are
not going to fall out, even II Mr.. Bryan
is keeping a close eye on next year, 1,
was 6dlQ To-Day Dy those VINO know the
friendship Of the two men. Mr.. Bryan
has not, in the performance Of his of.
ncial duties. attempted to benefit by his
labors. He has been willing to give ali
the credit to his chief. Mr.. Wilson ha,
no fault to find with him.
Could Not Show Favor.
Speaker Clark has been generous II
his praise Of the President. He has CO.
operated with the administration in Il,
efforts for certain legislation So has
Mr. Underwood. WITH Mr.. Wilson dc.
termined to become a private either
after March, 1917. he would not show
favor in tho nomination tight. HI
i could not afford to do 30.