New-York tribune., 1919-01-19

received one of the most provoc-
Il ative tid-bits of even these event
su, davs with the sudden resignation of
Vance Mccormick from the chairman
shin of the Democratic National Com
mittee
Mr.. Mccormick. as most of the world
is aware, after plotting the Wilson cam
paign of 1916, was the following year
appointed chairman of the War Trade
BOARD. and recently sailed for Paris with
Bernard NJ. Baruch to help look after
American commercial interests at the
peace conference.
"He resigned" explains "The New York
Times in a special dispatch horalding the
event. because he could not satisfactorily
handle the duties to which he has been as
signed by President Wilson with the Amcr-
can Peace Commission and at the same time
carry on the work of the party committee"
Coincident with his withdrawal, came
the announcement-not yet officially
confirmed, but apparently authentic be-
yond all reasonable questioning-that
| William c. Sharp, at present our Ambas-
sador to France, desires to join the
swelling list of outgoing Administration
appointees, and has accordingly rendered
his formal resignation to the President
Immediately the venders of "inside
tips began explaining the Mccormick
leave-taking by circulating the assurance
that the eX-chairman is "slated' for the
French ambassadorial post. Mr.. Nc
Cormick's friends here promptly
though still ''unofficially' set up denials
to this. With his War Trade Board
duties-for Mr.. Mccormick retains that
chairmanship- would, they protested,
scarcely have time for it. Furthermore,
they declared. he does not want the
place, anyway Still the rumor vaguely
persists.
But what really exercises the curiosity
of the watchers by the political wayside
is, Of course, not the future of Mr.. Nc
Cormick, but the future of the Demo-
| cratic party and the implications his pass
I ing suggests. Have theresults of the last
Congressional election possibly as much
/ to do with his going as have the ardors
of War Trade Board service? Does the
resignation portend a thorough Demo-
campaign? These are the things whis-
per I'd in Gath and canvassed among the
b. ways of Ascalon.
AS yet, in the first flush of surprise at
Mr.. McCormicks withdrawal-for, al
though his intimates say that he had pre-
pared his resignation before leaving for
France, to the general public it came as
complete surprise-editoria opinion
has been somewhat chary of committing
itself on these points
A meeting Of the Democratic Ma
tional Committee has been called for
February 26 at the Hotel Shoreham, in
Washington. Here Mr.. McCormick's
resignation is to be officially received
and his successor elected. Most of the
papers, including "The New York
World" seem to feel that Homer S.
Cummings vice-chairman under Mr.. Nc
Corlnick OF the Democratic National
Committee, will be the party's choice.
I Beyond this, though, few Of them thus
. far aave ventured in prophecy.
che Philadelphia Inquirer" which,
published in Mr. McCormick's home
I. state, might be supposed to have decided
& opinions in the matter, says:
Ah was generally expected after the last
national election, that either Mr.. McCor-
mick or Sir. Palmer would have place in
the Cabinet, but neither did have, although
1t wa limited that Mr.. Palmer had been
offered the position Of Secretary of War, but
mad declined il as being Inconsistent with
the principles Of one who has been 30 close
iy Identified With The Society Of Friends.
M Hays the present Republican ma
iona chairman, gives much promise, and
fhe wonder now viii be Who Will be pttcd
ssainst him in managing the Democratic
SIDE Of the contest in the forthcoming Pres
ident.al carnoajon.o