Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-08

Presidents Intentions as to
Office Worries Democrats
More Than League.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Many are the declarations and state
ments and Informative arguments
| which opponents of the league of ma
tons are expecting to hear from
President Wilson. but what interests
democrats in the National Capital is
whether or not the President plans to
run for a third term. To them the
| league>fght is a one-sided affair with
| the republicans alone to be won over
as the democrats are solidly behind
| the league. But the democrats just
as much as the republicans are
anxious to get ready for 1920 and
want to rally behind candidates and
get In on the ground floor.
Fortunately there is no dearth Of
candidates A morning newspaper
here today gave the impression that
ging because the last revenue bill by
| making the Presidents salary subject
| to the income tax had virtually cut it
from $4,000 to $4,000.
1t used to be $4,000 when Mr..
Roosevelt was in office and was in
| creased just before Mr.. Taft was in
augurated. The increase grew out Of
high cost of presidential living, which
includes the maintenance of the
White House and entertainment Of
guests, domestic and foreign. and
| a desire to keep a President free from
] affect his viewpoint toward individ-
uals, from whom he might otherwise
be compelled to borrow.
Expense No Drawback.
'Tis whispered that the reduction of
the Presidents salary by means of the
heavy income tax has affected ad-
| versely men on Capitol Hih who.
hitherto, have been considered poten-
toll r1i loft ha
has become the fashion in Washing
| ton, anyway, for cabinet officers and
others whose salaries have ranged all
! the way from $4,000 per annum to a
| single dollar year to quit their jobs
! because they couldn't afford to live on
such income. but rarely has anybody
declined in advance to accept any po-
sition. except possibly that of ambassa-
dor or minister. because of the meager
stipend.
Men on Capitol Hill have. year in
and year out, looked with covetous
eyes toward the White House, expense
or no expense. The story goes that
some senators recently have con-
| fided to friends that under no cir
cumstances" could they accept the
variably they have spoken of the
large expense of keeping up the
White House and conducting them
selves as BELTS the president of great
country
Called Sour Grapes.
Other senators, who are not accus-
toned to think in financial terms. and
to whom the high cost of presidential
living is matter of no concern, have
been cruel enough to suggest that 1t
Is case of sour grapes with their
colleagues.
Even before the argument arose,
however. another group OF senators
! interested in replenishing their own
pockets by a good bet now and then
! began wagering large sums Of money
that not member of either the SEN
ate or House would be nominated to
the presidency next time on any
ticket. And that's the status of
rooms. There are enough would be
candidates, but none of them is be-
lieved by their fellow senators and
representatives to have chance.
Most Of the betting and gossiping
concerns the republican presidential
possibilities, for up to now the dem
ocrats have been timid about talking
of candidates. They haven't known
where President Wilson stood in the
matter. That's why an expression
ic politicians of much worry OF
course, if Mr.. Wilson wants to run,
! his hold on the democratic party is
such that no other democrat in or out
a
contest for the nomination. But if,
as seems most likely, Mr.. Wilson
should make it clear that he does not
intend to run. the announcement of
| candidates. will not long be delayed.
Aside, however. from the personal
aspects of the democratic presiden-
tial situation. there are friends of the
league Of nations who think it would
be wise for Mr.. Wilson to make it abb
solutely plain by specific announce
ment that he has no ambition to sue
coed himself. They say his reception
on the forthcoming western trip will
partake of less partisan and personal
politics if the President will an
nounce that he is through with presi-
Dental policies and interested only in
laying the foundations for lasting
peace.
There is evidence that arguments
along this line have already come to
Mr.. Wilson's attention and that some
expression direct or indirect may
shortly be expected which will show
the country that his sole purpose in
stumping the country is to bring pub
lie opinion to bear on the American
Senate for the benefit of the peace
treaty and league of nations.