The sun., 1919-06-16
G. 0. P. POWDERS
AS MANY BOOMS
FOR 1920 START
Wood Backing GrowsWhile
Other Leaders Advance
in Presidential Race.
PERsHING A DARK HORSE
Senator Hiram johnson and
Miles Poindexter Also
Loom Big.

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Who will be the Republican candi-
date for President in 1920 Is still very
much Of an open question. While
some active work Is being done on be-
half Of certain prospective candidates,
while nearly score Of names have
been mentioned from time to time as
possible candidates, no single individ-
uel yet stands out in such prominence
or with such backing as would stamp
him as the probable nominee. This
is the opinion Of those who have kept
closely in touch with the situation.
But interest In the question Is in
creasirg, the record OF various per-
sons mentioned Is being carefully
studied ana their public actions
watched. It is generally conceded by
politicians that the social and eco
nomic disturbances brought about by
the war and our participation In It
since the last Presidential election
make the selection OF a candidate next
year q much more difficult task than
usual.
And the fact that the reconstruction
mine field is Just being entered, with a
Republican Congress at the helm. makes
Il particularly impossible at this time.
a year before the national convention.
to say who will occupy the position OF
strongest candidate next July or even
six months hence
But Il may be of interest to look ct
the situation as IL exists In the opinion
Of those who have been sounding the
thought and have becn searching out the
underground currents in various parts
Of the country.
The outstanding figures in the 1920
race so far seem to be Major-Gen. Leon
ard Wood, Gov. Frank o. Lowden OF
Illinois and Senator Hiram johnson Of
California. The first Is a military man.
the second leader of long experience
In the party and a member of three
Congresses and the third a member Of
the United States Senate. who has been
and will be closely identified with the
shaping Of the policies of the country, in
Guiding our attitude and action on tho
peace treaty and the League OF Nations
covenant.
Another Candidate Seen.
Following the three already mentioned,
there IL Senator Miles Poindexter Of
Washington. whose friends are said to
have raised a fund with which they are
about to start him in the race. and Gen.
John J. Pershing of Missouri. head Of
tho American Expeditionary Forces In
France, upon whose availability most Of
the political timber picSers have been
bordering for some time. q
Then there has been discussion of the
availability of Senator Warren G.. Hard
ing of Ohio. Senator Philander c. Knox
Of Pennsylvania. Senator William E.
Borah Of Idaho and Senator Henry
Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts,.
Senator Frank B. Kellogg Of Mime
sofa, Senator Howard Sutherland Of
West Virginia and either Senator James
E. Watson or Gov. James p. Goodrich
Of Indiana are quite likely to fgure as
'favorite song when the delegates gather
for the national convention. Friends OF
former Governor Frank B. Willis Of
Ohio, II Is said, have considered the
possibility of starting boom. for him.
or course, there has been mention OF
the possibility that former Justice
Charles +. Hughes of New York, who
headed the Republican ticket in 1915,
might be the candidate again in 1920.
1t is understood. however. that he has
expressed no desire to get into the po-
litcal arena again.
Former President Taft occupies a
unique position among all those who are
looked upon as Presidential possibilities.
His friends declare that he has not the
slightest desire to be President again,
that his present life appeals to him IN
way that would make II extremely
difticult for any one to induce him to
enter another campaign as a candidate.
However, he Is the one Republican
among the Presidential possibilities who
~ Ca ~. A.
League OF Nations but actively asso-
ciated with the campaign for the adop-
ton Of the covenant as drawn in Paris.
Many Turn to Wood.
spontaneous turning toward Gen.
Wood as the 1920 candidate was quoted
In some quarters Immediately after the
death Of Col. Roosevelt. Friends of the
Colonel, who not only looked upon him
as the logical candidate, but were con-
Vinced in their own minds that he would
be nominated and elected, began to talk
about the availability Of Wood Promi-
nent among them was John T. King,
national committeeman from Connectl-
cut who had been looked upon as the
mead OF the Roosevelt movement and
VINO since has been sounding out Wood
sentiment.
An analysis OF the situation by others
VINO had their attention focused upon Il
oy the death of Col. Roosevelt con-
Nnced them that the country had been
prepared TO return him to the White
rouse. Then came consideration of the
question as to who would be most likely
10 inherit the Roosevelt strength. It was
OBVIOUS that great deal OF II might 70
10 Gen. Wood because of his close rela-
tlons with Col Roosevelt and the high
opinion Roosevelt was known to have Of
MN. 1t was also felt that Gen. Wood
might PROFIT by any sentiment the coun-
Wy might feel for the country's leading
Hiiltary man and for what he personally
mad done for preparedness at a time
wren II was not popular. The fact that
zen Wood had been kept away from
command in France. 1t was thought,
might be a special asset.
also It was remembered that Col.
roosevelt had wanted to serve in the
.rniy IN France, but his desire had been
Stined by the Wilson Administrations.
"heh the War Department decided to
Aeep Gen. Wood In this country training
soiulers' a widely published cartoon rep
tesentng Col. Roosevelt with his hand
on Cen Woods shoulder and saving !:
ne Is good enough for me-" attracted
considerable attention.
Gen Wood was Informally placed in
me race by Senator George II. Moses OF
NeW Hampshire In a statement on Nav
o. saying the General would 20 10 the
hsuonal convention as the favorite son
.. mat State, where he was born. The
senator predicted the friend OF Col
roosevelt would probably have the back
ing OF greater part of the New Eng
Iahd States and the friendly intar.St ~,