The Washington herald., 1919-09-22
POLITICS
By The Occasional Prophet

The Herbert Hoover Presidential
talk got big boost yesterday in the
Baltimore Sun. That ordinarily con-
servative paper said:
We have no idea TO what political
party MIR. Herbert Hoover belongs,
If to any, nor what political support
he might command. but we hazard
the prediction that Irrespective De his
personal wishes, he will be candi-
date for the Presidency in 1870. and
strong one.
This judgment is based on the fact
that. except for Woodrow Wilson, he
has shown evidence of capacity for
leadership greater than that OF any
other of the available candidates for
the Presidential office in either party.
We have known for some years now
that he possesses extraordinary ability
as an organizer and that he has eN-
raordinaTy moral courage. Two re-
cent statements of his have shown
that he possesses, in addition, a broad
grasp OF international affairs and
sound understanding OF economic law.
The political leader of tomorrow, in
every great nation, must have these
qualities, particularly the latter As
the Manchester Guardian put it the
other day, the danger to our social
fabric is no longer the armed ruff
finan; il is the starving baby. We
no longer need generals. we need
economists.
Hoover's friends paid $4,000 for
California paper that can never give
him a bigger boom than that
Maryland Politics Is sizzling.
A lengthy conference on the Re
publican platform to be adopted by
the State convention next Thursday
was held Saturday in the office of
States Attorney Nice. the nominee
for governor. with Mr.. Nice were
o. E. Weller. the leader OF the or
ganization; State Chairman TAFT.
Roland f. Marchant and others.
1t was stated that the general
outlines of the platform had been
drawn.
According to one of the leaders
matters progressed to the point
where it was settled that the Re
publicans would not declare against
ratification of the Federal Suffrage
amendment as the Democrats did.
But whether they would declare for
/ ratification or for a referendum or
will keep silence was not decided
Tn" conference yesterday also de-
cided that the merit system would
be included in the platform. The
Democrats put that in their plat
form. and intended to make 1t a
leading issue. in the event the Re-
publicans said nothing about it.
The politicians also are interest
ed in the course of the Republicans
on the liquor question. Both Mr..
Ritchies the Democratic nominee for
! governor, and Mr.. Nice have de-
clared themselves wet. Mr. Ritchic
was given the higher percentage by
the AUTHORIZATION League. That
has disturbed the Republicans some
what And they are disturbed. too,
( by the fact that Mayor Broening
of Baltimore. who was supported by
the vets in the spring. has offended
a good many of them since he has
been in Office. 1t is possible that
/ the Republicans will put a wet
plank in their platform. in the hope
Of bringing hack the wet forces
/ with their State convention out
of the way without "A jar or a Jolt,
! their candidates nominated and
! their platform exploited. Maryland
Democrats are now turning their
attention to the campaign. which
will open this week with a rush
and which will be vigorously pushed
until election day. a period of six
weeks. At the outstart the mana
gers fhlly realize that they have
/ got many high hurdles to clear be-
fore they arrive at the end Of the
'>Tace. They are. however. relying
upon. their statewide candidates,
with Mr.. Ritchie as a skilled Jockey,
to carry them winners under the
wire.
The great outstanding handicap
of the Democrats is the national
administration. which is held re-
sponsibfe by the bulk of voters for
! prohibition. progress of the woman's
suffrage amendment to the Federal
Constitution. league of nations
! pact, luxury. income and high taxes
generally. and for other burdens
which are the outgrowth of the
war. The Democrats will try to
subordinate State to national issues.