New-York tribune., 1919-02-16
Chase S. Osborn
BOoms Wood for
President i'm 1920
General Is Best Equipped
Man for Office, Asserts
Michigan Man; Declares
Ford Candidacy ''Joke"

Ex-Governor Chase S. Osborn of
Michigan said yesterday that Major
General Leonard Wood is the best fitted
man for President in 1920. and gives
his reasons for thinking so. He also
called Henry Ford a political joke.
Mr.. Osborn is a traveller, naturalist,
big game hunter, metallurgist, pub
hcist, former newspaper man and for
mer railroad commissioner
After presiding on Friday night at
the Canadian Camp dinner at the Hotel
Astor he hobnobbed with railroad pres
idents yesterday at the Metropolitan
Club. Later a Tribune reporter found
him at the Hotel Astor.
81 am for General Wood for Presi-
dent" said the former Governor.
"Probably the Republicans will nomi-
nate him, and he will win impressively.
Michigan likes General Wood, as Mich
igan liked Roosevelt Michigan Uni
versity last year conferred on General
Wood the degree of LID. for most logi-
cal reasons. He is great humanist
soldier. He doesn't believe in militar-
ism for the sake of mllitarism, but he
believes this country is great enough
and means enough for the progress Of
humanity so if any other fellow be
liaveS in militarism and begins to bank
on it, as Germany did five years ago,
the United States should be ready in
stantly to defend itself as a nation.
Praises Wood As Executor
General Wood. is rare man, pos
sessed of those popular attributes
that appeal to the people, plus the
ability to see things accurately. He
has great administrative capacity. He
has never been anywhere. or assigned
10 any task. where he has not done
his work better than any one else.
'In these times we must have ideals,
but at the same time we must have
leaders able to carry out practical
everyday problems. General Wood
believes n Justice for ALL with a clear
realization that the unorganlzed
people in American society and Ameri-
can industrialism need safeguarding
at this time more than than those who
are organized. General Wood is
strong wherever men and women sense
the true American equations.'
When asked about Henry Ford as
a Presidential candidate on the Demo
cratic ticket in 1920. Mr. Osborne re-
piled:
"Whatever say abctu Ford say
absolutely without malice. regard
him with the same analytical interest
employed by he ornithologist, or man
of science. when he comes to the cage
containing what is alleged to be i
representation CT the roc-that rare
bird able, according to tradition IN
MADAGASCAR, where | once studied his
supposed habitat. to carry of eie-
plants to feed his young.
Ford As Politician Rdiculed
specifically Henry Ford is a Joke
and his new paper is Joke.
Ford is demi-god to the peoples
who vearn and hope Without hxeC
political convictions. they were attract
ed last year in the Senatorship fight II
Michigan to the reputed puissance oi
the Detroit roc, and they went to the
polls yearning and hoping, and they
voted for Ford Strangely enough, they
came pretty near electing him, too.
"Without malice, and merely IL the
vein of the student, wishing we'll foi
Michigan, | am free to say that Fort
would have been d Joke in the United
States Senate ! observe that Hears
is booming him for President. People
generally interpret Hearst's support o
Ford as purely selfish proposition
Notwithstanding operation.
Mr. Osborn, who has been across
Russia SIX times ana uhdefstahus In'
language, says Bolshevism was neces
sary in Russia 10 root out the old sys
tenn. but that there is no need for i
n this country.
"The biggest reason why we shoui'
not have Bolshevism here" he said
as that VIC don't need it. We hav
tho vehicular devices TO advance prog
ress. reforms and and social improve
ment. With these. we are without tn
slightest need of any methods tn
Bolshcvsts offer"