The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-21
Democrats at Saratoga Pre-
pare for Contingency of
COlOncl's Acceptance.
HEARST FORCES GATHER
Small Army of Editors Friends
Swarm Hotels in COnven-
ton City.

race
cratic kinsman, the Assistant Secretary
of the Navy. formed the basis of inter-
esting speculation to-day among the ad-
vance guard arriving for the unomclal
Democratic convention scheduled to be-
gin here on Tuesday.
As the drive to get Col. Roosevelt to
accept the Republican nomination be-
came more serious the Democrats saw
their situation developing greater and
greater problems. As one OF the leaders
said to-day
with the Colonel as the Republican
candidate the campaign would be based
entirely on national issues. We would
And our Whitman issue taken away from
us we would be forced to abandon any
state issues and make the war and the
support OF the President the basis of our
fight.
LAS see il. we would have to turn
to President Wilson for a candidate, one
who was capable OF handling the ma
t;onal issues and who would receive the
open support Of the Federal Admnistra-
ton.
Might Indorse the Colonel.
Then there is an alternative. We
might indorse the Colonel and trust to
his popularity TO elect the remainder OF
our ticket"
1t is conceded, however. that the lat
ter suggestion would hardly be likely
TO meet with the approval Of President
Wilson. who would not care to have
any hurdles put in the path Of the Demo-
cratic candidate for President in 1920.
Although none Of the Democratic lead
ers here would acknowledge knowing
anything about 1t, prominent Republi-
can, who has access to the best of Demo-
cratic sources asserted to-day he had
been told that tie decision to nominate
Franklin D. Roosevelt had been reached
and that Autographs and buttons OF the
young Assistant Secretary OF the Navy
were being prepared. The same story
was received tere from an independent
source in New York not connecte1-~with
the Democratic machine.
kats for F. ID. Roosevelt.
II may or may not be significant that
Jacob katz, who was considered one of
the shrewdest promoters Of the booms
for Mayor William ]. Gaynor was dis
covered here tonight. Although he dis
avowed that he had a political mission
he smiled when he did so. and acknowl-
edged that 10 his mind Secretary Roose-
Welt was Il e man who must be named by
the Democrats. MIR. Katz always had
access to Mayor Gaynor, who valued his
political sagacity.
II Theodore Roosevelt enters the race
az tire Republican candidate" said Mr.
Eatz. I'VE shall need an ace instead OF
two spot. am in favor OF Franklin
D. Roosevelt because he would be an ace
against an ace, Roosevelt against a
Roosevelt"
It Is true tt at Secretary Roosevelt sent
a formal letter to the Syracuse con-
ferees in April saying he did not wish
his name considered for the nomina ton
because he did not believe Il would be
patriotic to leave his duties in the prose
cution OF the war. Since II en- he has re-
peated his decision to those who have
called on him in Washington.
Those who were pusl ing other candi-
dates, while acknowledging the personal
popularity Of Mr.. Roosevelt, have argued
that his strength would he is weakness.
that Is to say the very fact that he held
high place in popular regard because of
tho good work they believe he has done
IN building up the navy would make II
dangerous for him to run for political
office The, people might turn on him
and say he was deserving his post OF
DUTY for personal preterment.
Wilson Might Take Hand.
But now that the shadow of the can
dtdacy OF Col Roosevelt looms up in the
path of the Democratic party the sltua
u
President Wieon. believing that the op.
.portunity of the Colonel to criticise the
National Administration might be
greater AS Governor OF New York than
as private citizen. might decide to take
an open hand in this State
IL the President should declare it was
necessary TO have a Democratic Gov.
ernor of New York. the largest State ir
the Union. TO uphold his war policies
and should draft Secretary Roosevelt 70,
that service, It might not only make il
impossible for the young man to decline
10 run, but would also take away ans
opportunity for criticising him on tbs
ground that he was dropping his wal
duties.
This Is the argument of the Demo
cratic friends If Secretary Roosevelt. 4
would he drafting him from war seryic,
70 another higher war service they say
William Church Osborn. who has re
ceived the Endorsement of Secretar,
Roosevelt. would be glad to retire from
the field in his favor It Is said, as h,
docs not seek the place for personal rea
sons, but solely to prevent William Ran
dorh Hearst from becoming the Demo
cratic nominee
Tammany has nothing against Mr.
Roosevelt. az II has against Mr.. o.
born They have forgiven him for hi,
leadership In the fight against William
the United States Senate in 1910. Rep
resentative Thomas F. Smith has IA
vored the selection Of Mr.. Roosevelt fo
months.
Where Gerard and Hearst stand.
Friends of James w Gerard assert
that he would be the best man to rur
on a war platform. But he could not h,
said 10 represent the Federal Admins
tration, as the understanding IL he 1.
not in the good graces of some OF tn.
leaders in Washington. Again, II |,
argued that II the Colonel runs on tn,
Republican ticket it would not only b,
impossible for the Democratic party I,
carry the burden of a Hearst nomina
tlon. but 1t would be dangerous to nom
inate any one who could be linked NJ
with him In any way.
But there is no doubt about the fac
that Mr.. Hearst intends to make a siren
unus night to secure the recommendation
of the UNOFFICIAL convention. He has en-
gagged almost whole floor at the Gran,
Union Hotel, twenty-seven rooms, 70
his retinue OF political agents from al
over the State.
Many of the men who worked for hi
cause when he ran for Governor In 100
have been dug out of political obscurity
It is said. and Will all he here ready L
70 out in the trenches for their old EN-
ployer, l.. J. O'Reilly. president OF tn
Hylan Board OF Water Supply and tn
chief political agent of Mr.. Hearst, I
expected here tomorrow to lead tn
II Col. Roosevelt should announce to