Arizona republican., 1920-02-09
HOOVER DENIES HE |S SEEKING
 PRESIDE NCY
Puts End to Boom in His Behalf Declines to Af- 7. filiate with Any Party Until Platforms Are An nounced
Republican A. p. Leased Wirel


 NEW YORK, Feb. S.-Herbert Hoover tonight issued a statement de- lining his attitude toward the presi- dency. He announced that he is not a candidate for the nomination and that no one is authorized to speak for him politically. If the league Of na- tons is made an issue in the election he says he will vote for the party that stands for the league. In response to requests that he declare allegiance to either one or the other of the great political parties, Mir. Hoover says he will wait until it more definitely ap- pears what the party managers stand for, and will exercise a prerogative of American citizen and decline to pledge my vote blindfolded.
 Hoover's Statement
 His statement follows:
 Tn order to answer large number of questions all at once, let me eIn- phasize that I have taken a Gay off from the industrial conference in Washington to come to New York solely to attend to pressing matters in connection with European childrenS s relief. I want to say again: l have not sought, and am not seeking the presidency. I am not candidate; l have no organization. No one is au- thorized to speak for me politically.
 "As an American citizen by birth and of long ancestry, I am naturally deeply interested in the present critical situa- ton. My sincere and only political de- sire is that one or both of the great political parties will approach the vital issues which have grown out of the war and with a clear purpose looking to the welfare of our people and that candidates capable of carrying out this work should be nominated.
 Favors Party Behind League
 If the treaty goes over to the presl- dential election with any reservations necessary to clarity the worlds mind that there can be no infringement of the safeguards provided by our con stitution. and our old traditions then I must vote for the party that stands for the league. With it, there is hope not only of the prevention of war, but also that we can safely economize Tn miliu6ry policies There is hope of earlier return of confidence in the eco homie reconstruction of the world. could not vote with party if it were dominated by groups who seek to set aside our constitutional guarantees for free speech or free Representation, who hope to re-establish control of the gov ernment for profit and privilege. could not vote with a party if 1t were dominated by groups who hope for any form of socialism, whether it be na- tionalization of industry or other de- struction of individual initiative. Both these extremes cdmOu1laSeu or Opels are active enough in the country today. Neither of the nominations would en- able those constructive economic poi- cies that will get us down from the unsound economic practices which of necessity grew out of the war, nor would they secure the good will to production in our farmers and work CTS or maintain the initiative of our business men. The issues look for ward, not backward.
 'I do not believe in more than two great parties. Otherwise combinations of groups could. as in Europe, create a organization to support great ideals and to carry great issues and consistent policies. Nor dan any one man dictate the issues of great parties. 1t appears to me that the hope of a great ma jOrity of our citizens in confronting this new period in American life is that the great parties will take posi- tive stands on the many issues that confront us and will select men whose character and associations will guar antee their pledges.
 T am being urged by people in both 1 parties to declare my allegiance to | know me, know that am able to make | up my mind when a subject is clearly | defined. Consequently, until it more | definitely appears what the party man. l asers stand for, must exercise a pre- | rogative of American citizenship and | decline to pledge my vote blindfoId.
 .I am not unappreciative of the many | kind things that my friends have ad- | vanced on my behalf. Yet I hope they will realize my sincerity in not tieing | myself to undefined partisanship." |