The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-12-08
GOSSIP NOW TURNS
To PRESIDENTIAL
POSSIBILITIES
Republicans Hope For
Success Through Con-
certed Action.
MAY CALL WILSON
All Democratic Leaders
Look to President as
the Man of the
Hour.

Washington, Dec THE re-
turn of the Republicans to power
in both houses of congress at the
November election has started
political goasips talking over
presidential possibilities, IL be-
ing assumed that the victory over
the Democrats for control of
congress prepares the way for
the return OF q Republican to the
White House in 1920.
In all speculation rs to who
may figure In the 1920 contest
every prediction made TN respect
to either party has to take into
account the probable action OF
two men-Wilson and Roosevelt
Any attempt 20 choose q candi-
date for the Democrats would be
futile II mental reservation were
not made as to what Woodrow
Wilson might do; and in the same
manner Roosevelt must be kept
in mind when any one casts about
for candidate to he nominated
by the Republicans.
Up to Wilson.
Wilson may or may not decide to
try for third term, II he does. of
course any other Democrat whom
might be considered to be a candi
date would at once drop from sight.
ii he goes not run DlaFe are Il NUM-
Der of prominent Democrats who
might be considered
For instance. it has always been
felt that il Wilson decided not to be-
come a candidate for another term
he might suggest the nomination OF
Secretary McAdoo. who is just quit
ting the treasury department to take
UP his private law practice.
McAdoo made an extremely credit
able record as secretary of the trea-
sury and as director general OF the
railroads, and demonstrated in the
Liberty bond drives that he is quite
an effective campaigner. He I'M
deubtetsiy would have 10 be reckoned
with if the president is not candi-
date.
Secretary OF War Baker has been
mentioned frequently as a posi- bic
candidate. In him lies the advantage
OF coming fnDm Ohio. IL being rretty
well concedeu that the great Middle
West will have TO be considered IN
am calculations az to the 1920 ace
Secretary Bake- has been praised by
President Wtlson IS the greatest sec
X @tAfy! II Nar tao cnuslte. HIS ever
rad, and II he ran on his war record
this endorsement would he Of great
advantage to him.
Must Sec Teddy.
When it comes to the Republica II
side Rooseveit's aims and am billions
have 10 be considered before there
can he any suteessful picking of a
candidate. Ii the Colonel decides 10
make another try for the nomina-
ton he might succeed, or If he did
not succeed at least he might be able
to dictate the choice. In any event,
all prospective candidates hang In the
balance until II is definitely deter
mined what course the Colonel viii
follow.
There are a good many OF the 70
publican leaders who would prefer
not TO see Roosevelt q cardie ate
again. Frankly, they do not believe
they can win with him. II he were
candidate against Wilson, for ex
ample. the chances would strongly
favor Wilson and the issue OF the wis
dom of third term would cut no
figure, for either ore, IL elected would
be for a third term.
If Roosevelt can he safely elirnf
mated. as most OF the leaders desire.
the senate could produce n number
of candidates for the nomination
Conspicuous among these are Sena-
tors Warren Harding, OF Ohio. Hiram
Johnson. of California: Henry Cabot
Lodge. of Massachusetts,, and Albert
+. Cummins. of Iowa. Harding made
the keynote speech at the last Chi
cago convet. tion and made good
impression. He has not been par
ticulariy active in the senate. but has
made a NUMBER or speeches which
attracted nouce
&. -. I. Possibilities.
senator Johnson attracted atten-
'ion by ms hShtS against me censor
snip or the press and against the low
rates on war profits In the revenue
Dan. lie ~ vigorous, tWo-hSted
orator, VINO always gets an audience
and compels attention whenever he
has anything TO say. The tremendous
majority which his own state gave
hin, whep ha ran FIR the Sepatp ia