The Washington times., 1920-10-15
BRYAN, WARY,
MAY JOIN COX
Commoner Proves Slippery
When Asked If He viii aid
Party on Election Brink.
BY WILLIAM PHILIP slMhs.
International News Service.

William Jennings Bryan may yet
throw himself with fervor into the
national campaign. During an IN
terview by telephone today, at least,
he specifically insisted that 1t shouic
mo- be set down in black and white
tn he would not take part In the
Presidential campaign between now
and November 2.
HAS NOTHING TO SAY.
IT really haven't anything 10 say"
came the voice Of the great commoner
over the telephone in response TO the
International News Services query II
he cared to say anything on inc
political situation. Il am not uls-
cussing the Presirential candidates
nor the national campaign ne salu'
"May / ask il you expect 10 come
out with an announcement of your
views later-say between now ana the
clection?" the correspondent asked
I'm discussing the present the
lighting Democrat from Nebraska par
ried. Lets not discuss the future.
"Would you care to discuss the Kill
I1gs Of natives in Haiti or our policy
"a that isand?'
"OFF, POLITICS AT PRESENT.
L am not discussing any phase OF
naiionaI politics." Mr.. Bryan repeated,
"And you don't expect to announce
your views on this subject between
now and two weeks from next Tues
day"
"You want me TO pledge myself ms
20 what l will do between now and
election day" came the answer over
the wire accompanied by what sound
. Cd very much like N}ryanesque
chuckIe. well, I don't want 70 do
that | said ! am not discussing the
Presidential candidates. j am is
present tense. The future we viii let
alone "
Nor would the Democrat from
Nebraska, and thrice his party's
Presidential nominee, bulge an lota
from his resolve.
"Whne I am not discussing the
Presidential candidates" Mr.. Bryan
went on. Il will say this: The cleo
tion of dry senators and members of
Congress il very important.
.r OPPOSES ALL "WETS."
''Wherever dry is running
against wet for the Senate or the
House of Representatives, l am for
the dry, regardless Of party. The
election Of a wet Congress would be
such a disaster to the country that
think the 'drys' -should take no
chances on this subject"
Further than that, the former chief
of the Democratic hosts would not
say. He would not positively and alb
solutely not discuss what he might or
might not do between now and the
first Tuesday after the first Monday in
November.
Which fact has already set the poll
ticians here guessing. In San Fran
cisco the night Governor Cox was
nominated, Mr.. Bryan appeared very
downcast. He said his heart was In
the grave. He made it plain in talk
with the writer that night on the
coast that he at least did not consider
Governor Cox a dry" like himself.
cox MAY ENLIST HIM.
Since that time much has happened
Speaking at Portland, Ore, Septem-
Der Is. the Democratic candidate
came out flatly as dry" He pledged
himself to uphold the dry" amend
ment. The prohibition issue is as
dead as the issue OF slavery" he said.
Tho issue under the Eighteenth
amendment" he declared, 80 far as
the Presidency is concerned, is one
OF law enforcement. Judge men by
performance. As governor of Ohio /
enforced the law. For the first time
in the history of the State ] closed
not only the 'front.' door out tne pach
door of the saloon on Sunday.
enforced all the laws. AS President
OF the United States l shall continue
to enforce all the laws regardless OF
what interests may be affected
The question asked here today Is:
Has William jennings Bryan at last
been won over to Governor Cox? VIII
he take the stump between now and
November for the Democratic can
didate, as former President william
Howard Taft and others, who at first
differed from Senator Harding, have
come out for the candidate OF the
G. q. p?
Only william Jennings Bryan him
self is able to answer, and today he
was not in a mood to co so.