New-York tribune., 1920-03-07
M'Adoo Blocks
Fight for Him
In California
Declines Offer of Demo-
cratic Organization to Put
His Name ON Primary Bal
lot and Give 1t Support
Georgia Stand Restated
Former Secretary Insists
San Francisco Delegates
Go Without Instructions
By Carter Field
From 7he Trioune.s wn,hi,,,o, n.

~"' A'so T'ou"eS WGshtnOt0n HWre0a
WASHINGTON, March 6-William
Gibbs McAdoo to-day declined the offer
or the Democratic organization in Cali
tornia to work for his candidacy and to
put his name on the primary ballot.
The offer Of organization support was
made by D. S. Ewing, hartman of the
Democratic State Committee. Mr.. Nc
Adoo repeated his declaration Of little
more than two weeks ago to the Ceor-
g1a Democrats, and urged uninstructed
delegates. Mr.. McAdoo's telegram read.
in part:
~ stated to friends who wished to
enter me in the Georgia primaries that
l was strongly convinced that all dele
gates should, so far as practicable. 90
to the next national convention unin-
seucted, so we might have free con-
terence Of unbound delegates who
would strive to do the best thing for
tho country regardless of individual
claims or ambitions. If we are to win
IN the next election, principles and ser
vice, not personalities or expediencies,
must control the actions Of the conven.
t1on. / cannot, therefore, enter any
primary or seek to have any delexatee
or delegations instructed for mo.
Suggests Democratic Slogan
II am not interested in the fortunes
OF any individual, but I a meaxer to
join my party associates in every form
OF patriotic effort to serve the interests
OF our country, which in the hearts Of
every vlrlle American must always
transcend every other consideration.
the California primaries, and convey
to the members of the committee my
best wishes and sincere appreciation.
Il do not doubt triumph of Demor-
racy in the coming campaign if our
constant gulle and inspiration is FOR
service to country, everything; for
service to selfish interests. corporate
or individual nothing"
Some of McAdoo's friends have urged
hlm strongly to go into at least few
Of the primaries and make a showing
OF strength, pointing out that other
wise Palmer, especially as the Attorney
General is favored by great many
influential national committeeman, may
run away with the nomination. Mr.
McAdoo's friends think he would have
little trouble whipping Palmer in any
primary he might enter.
McAdoo a Candidate
Mr.. McAdoo, however, having taken
the position in his letter to the eGor-
gia Democrats that the delegates should
be instructed, is standing by it. Those
OF his followers who agree with him as
to his tactics point out that it will be
utterly impossible for Palmer, Hoover
or any one else to round up enough
delegates to insure nomination. They
call attention to the large number of
states which have no primaries and
also to the fact that the two-thirds
rule in Democratic conventions makes
1t nearly impossible for any candidates,
no matter how great his popularity,
to go into the convention with enough
delegates pledged to win on the first
ballot.
McAdoo ! sa very real candidate for
the nomination. There is no doubt in
any ones mind about that. But he is
playing the game according to his own
ideas, and is disregarding the opin-
ions of those who think he should go
into at least one or two important
states and demonstrate his strength
as vote getter.
Opening Left for Wilson
If his name stays on the ballots in
few states, his friends point out,
states where the primary laws do not
compel the candidate to accept or IN
dictate a willingness to run, and 1t
should happen Mr.. McAdoo's friends
IN that state are able to make a fine
showing for him-over his protest. so
to speak-that will be very crafty
ing to him and his friends in the ma
tional field But there is going to be
no national fight for delegates, ac-
cording to the McAdoo leaders here.
All OF which, despite Mr. Pamer's
open candidacy and Mr.. Hoover's firt-
ing with both parties, leaves the Demo
cratic field open so that the possibility
of President Wilson seeking a third
term is not foreclosed. And, as has
been pointed out many times in The
Tribune since the Jackson Day din
ner, this is very real possibility, de-
spite the unwillingness of most Demo
cratic politicians to admit it.
The Democratic delegates who will
go to the San Francisco convention,
controlled through patronage by Post
master General Burleson. will be for
McAdoo if the President i snot can
ddate. If Mr.. Wilson should desire
the nomination the Burleson strength,
Of course, will be thrown to him, as
will most of the delegates that Palmer
may have rounded up in the meantime.