The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1920-02-11
HOOVER WILL BACK MOST
PROGRESSIVE PARTY
Former Food Boss Declares He Is
Not a Candidate for Presi-
Dental Nomination.
REFUSES TO TAKE
DEFINITE STAND
Says II Am Able to Make Up My
Mind When Subject Is
Clearly Defined"


attitude toward the Presidency. He
announced that he is not candidate
for the nomination and that no one is
authorized to speak for him political
ly. If the league of nation Is made an
issue in the election he viii vote for
the party that stands for TIE league.
In response to requests that he declare
allegiance to either one or the other
of the great political parties, Mr.. Hoo
yer says he will wait until it more
definitely appears what the party man
ayers stand for, and will exercise "a
prerogative of American citizenship
and decline to pledge my vote blind
folded" His statements follow:
"In order to answer large number
Of questions all at once, let me en-
phasizc that I have taken day off
from the Industrial conference in
Washington to come to New York
solely to attend pressing matters in
connection with the children's relief.
| want to again say have not sought
and am not seeking the Presidency
l am not candidate. I have no or
ganization.' No one is authorized to
speak for me politically.
Interested in Situation.
'As an American citizen by birth
and Of long ancestry l am naturally
deeply Interested in the present crit
ical situation. My sincere and only
political desire is that one or both of
the great political parties will ap-
proach the vital issues, which ha C
grown out of the war and are new,
with a clear purpose looking to the
welfare of our people and that candi-
dates capable Of carrying out this
work should be nominated.
If the thcaty goes over to the
p, 2sidential election with any reser-
vatlons necessary to clarity the worlds
mind that there can be no infringe
mcnt Of the safeguards provided by
our constitution and nation-old ira
ditions) then I must vote for the party
that stands for the league. With it
there is hope, not only OF the prcvcn-
tion of war, but also that we can safe
ly cconomize in military policies.
There is hope Of earlier return of con-
fidences and the economic reconstruct
ton of the world. / could not vote
with party if it were dominated by
groups who set aside our constitution
al guarantees for free speech or free
representation with hope to rcstablish
control of the government for profit
and privilege. / could not vote with
ii party if it were dominated by groups
who hope for any form of socialism
whether it be naturalization of indus.
try, or other destruction of individual
initiative. Both these extremes, cam
oufiaged or open, are active enough in
the country today. Neither fthese
Nominations would enable those con-
structive economic policies that will
get us down from the unsound eco
nomic practices which of necessity
grew out of the war nor would they
secure the good vii Ito production in
our farmers and workers or maintain
the initiative of our business men.
The issues look forward. not back.
Believes in Tow Parties
"I do not believe in more than two
great parties. Otherwise combinations
of groups could, as in Europe, create
danger of minority rule. / do be-
lieve in party organization to support
great ideals and to carry great issues
and consistent policies. Nor can any
one man dictate the issues of great
parties. 1t appears to me that
the hope Of great majority
of our citizens in confronting this new
period in American life is that the
great parties will take positive sides
on the many issues that confront us
and will select men whose character
and associations will guarantee their
pledges.
II am being urged by people in both
parties to declare my allegiance to
either one or the other. Those who
know me, know that am able to make
up my mind when subject is clearly
defined. Consequently, until it more
definitely appears what the party man
ayers stand for, must exercise pre-
roGative Of American citizenship and
Inaljnp tn Y,1ol