The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-03-07
MIND IS
RECEPTIVE AS TO
PRESIDENTS RACE
Speaker Says That Candidacy
in 1920 Will Depend Upon
COnditiOnS-TOO Early for
Political SpeCuIatiOnS.

kNpAN LILLE, Tenn, dare Z, tSpl,l
Asked whether he will be . candidate
for the presidency. either active or re-
eeptive. Speaker Champ Clark, who is
in Knoxville. replied: Well. that de-
Ponds on conditions, l believe hat any
man who believed he could be elected
president Of the United States would
accept the nomination" Speaker Clark
delivered the opening address at the
annual short curse Tor Southern mer-
chants. which Is conducted here under
the auspices of the Appalachian Mer-
chants association and the University
ut Tennessee,
There Is one vital question on which
Speaker Clark would not talk-the
league Of nations.
4 have "a grip full OF documents on
the subject. and am making a thor
ough study of Il, as every American
should do he asserted. Further than
hat | nave nothing to say about the
IeAEue at this time
Politics Is Uncertain.
When asked about the political stu
alton he declared that there has never
been a time in the history of the world
when politics was so uncertain.
Both Of the principal parties are
thoroughly d~emoraliHed," he declared.
The socialists are making strong
| claims for power, and while | do not
think they can elect a president, at
least for many years, II Is highly prob
able that they might hold the balance
of power, and by combinations succeed
in getting partially into control.
Who are some of the possible re-
ceptive candidates for the Democratic
nomination. he was asked.
THAT is very uncertain, especially az
this time" he replied,
Discussing the record Of the war con-
Rress, Speaker Clark declared that no
| congress since the organization OF the
American government has done as much
work,
More constructive laws have been
passed, and more money has been
spent" he related.
In regard to the closing days Of the
Sixty-n congress, Speaker Clark de-
olRred that the Republican leaders went
into a filibuster not to defeat needed
legislation, but to force an early extra
session.
'WW their actions in this respect
prove a boomerang for them, or VIII
they be injured politically for having
defeated the important legislation
II hardly think So he answered
People soon forget such things, AND
II is likely that this step will be for
gotten in the near future"
Wants Boys Home.
Speaker Clark was told about the
reference to his candidacy made by
Mrs. George W. Denny in Il recent let
ter published in the Knoxville Sentine
when she said that boys over there
cellar the man who brings them hom'
from France can be the next president
she adding that Champ Clark shoult
get busy, Mrs, Denny is now in Ger
many In the interest OF the army worl
for the Y. NJ. c, a, She was tormerl!
president OF he state federation .
women's clubs. IT.
II am doing all l can along tina
line" Mr.. Clark said, II have a DO,
in France and ! want TO see him bacI
home MS soon as possible, and ! reallz
that other parents throughout the coun
try feel the same way about It."
His son Is Lieut.-Col. Bennet !
Clark. with the l40th infantry, OF til
Thirty fifth division. This command
he related, Is due to return 10 u
states In April. -
MIR, Clark was asked II he thougI
IL possible that there might be NJ
revolutionary outbreak In America SIM
lar TO the Bolsheviki u%prisings OF ~
rope -
j THE American people are too wi
- TO start any such movement" he d
4 clared with emphasis, as he enter
the hotel. Il have no fears whateV
along that line. Politics is very u
certain. but there Is no danger OF J
dustrial or other disturbances.