Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-01-25
MARYLAND DRIFTS
|T0HERBERT HOOVER
Friends of Maj. Gen. Wood
Also Busy Boosting Army
Officer for Presidency.

BALTIMORE. January "a Especially.
Formation of a branch here of the
National League to push the boom
of Maj Gen. Leonard Wood. and in
creasing talk of Herbert Hoover as a
presidential possibility, were among
the political developments in Mary
land this week. Since the launching of
the Wood organization had been fore
cast in statement by Republican
State Chairman Galen n. TAFT, who
came out ''as a private citizen" for
the general last week. public interest
naturally was diverted for the time
to the Hoover stock.
Curiously enough, it was George S.
Jackson, vice president of the United
States Grain Corporation during the
war; and a close personal friend of
Mr.. Hoover, who came out with a
statement that there was no doubt
that a movement for the nomination
of the former food administrator for
President by the democratic or re-
publican party or by an independent
party. would ultimately be started in
this state. and that it would have
considerable strength. Mr.. Jackson,
one of Maryland's leading grain men.
and democrat. but not politician,
asserted that he would support Mr..
Hoover whether he be-pominated by
democrats, republicans or independ-
entS.
Asked to Form League.
He declared that he had been ap-
preached by a number of democrats
and republicans, who urged him to
head a Hoover league in Maryland.
but had declined because, being an
official of the American Association
fo ha Po1ief Of the Children of E.u-
rope of which Mr.. Hoover is the head.
he did not feel justified in starting
any such organization without the
consent of his chief.
81 am in favor of his election" he
said. with emphasis on the word
election" because 1 believe that he
is pre-eminently qualified for the
position. The people in this country
have confidence in him and he knows
the European situation better than
work in the relief of Europe and as
food administrator has shown his ad-
ministrative ability. He has strongly
defined opinions on the labor ques-
lions which are now disturbing TINS
country. and the big ability to meet
big situations He is vice chairman
of the industrial commission now try
ing to solve the questions at issue be-
tween capital and labor.
Politics Not known.
81 know nothing about Mr.. Hoover's
politics. Nor do 1 know positively
what his attitude toward being can,
didate for the Office is, once asked
him if he was going. to be candi-
date and he answered: Not if ] can
help it but l believe julius n.
Barnes expressed his attitude when
Mr. Barnes said in a recent speech in
New York that, while Mr.. Hoover
would not seek the nomination. he
hru n
that there was an overwhelming
sentiment for him in this country"
Mr.. jackson said he republicans
were afraid to nominate any man 9TH
err than Hoover. because they feared
Hoover could beat any man they
might name.
His declaration in favor of Hoover.
following that of DIR. Frank ]. Good
now. president of Johns Hopkins uni
yersity who declared the former food
administrator would make strong
candidate for either party. or both,
more prominently to the attention of
Mary landers than that of any other
man who has been suggested as the
possible nominee of the democratic
party.
Politicians Waiting.
The politicians, however. though
keenly alert, are playing waiting
game They believe it bit too early
to do any talking openly. They pre-
fer to let matters drift for the pres
emit. And just at this time what drift
there is among democrats in Maryland
appears to be in the direction of Mr..
Hoover.
The Maryland branch of the Ma
tional WoodSLeague, organized here
this week, is headed by Blanchard
Randall, well known republican and
business man. Associated with him in
! the leadership is ]. Craig McLanahan.
former assistant United States dis
ltrict attorney. Both were present at
1.-THE dinner given Maj Gen. Wood last
week by Norman James at the latters
! home here. JOHN A. ELGERT.