The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-01-23
Launching ofHooUer
Boom Brings On Talk
Gossip Rife in National Cap
itaI Among Democrats and
Republicans.
AGREE HE'S GREAT MAN
Tennesseans Sidestep Direct
Question as to Whether They
Favor Him for President.

Washington, Jan. 2S.-(Special)-
Herbert Hoover's availability as the
democratic standard bearer for 1920
was a leading topic in congressional
circles today. The recent ground
swell for Hoover, combined with the
movement launched by the New
York World TO make him the next
occupant of the White House. has
kept his name to the front for sew
eral days. Many democratic men,
bcrs Of congress who concede Hoov-
er's splendid qualifications are reluc.
| tant 10 declare themselves before the
situation shapes up further. the is
sues becomes clearer and sentiment
is crystallized in their respective
states.
The views Of various democratic
leaders in congress are interesting
even where they do not mean COM
mitmont to the Hoover candidacy.
Senator Hoke Smith. of Georgia
declares, Il won't vote for any Eng.
lishman for president" one or two
republicans in congress also raise as
an objection to Hoover the fact that
he has been out OF the United States
for a great many years at various
times. Chairman l'ess. OF the re-
publican congressional committee,
charges that Hoover is the choice
OF the president and takes consola-
tion from the fact that the democrats
are so hard pressed that they have
to consider n man whose party af-
tiliations are obscured The fact that
Hoover has been engaged in self
sacrificing service for the past six
years has won him the respect OF
oven those who do not indorse him
as a possible candidate. Many mem
hors OF I he Tennessee delegation.
when approached on the subject to-
day, frankly indicated that they had
never thought Of Hoover in polt-
ical sense though conceding his fine
qualifications.
Senator McKellar was the only one
who took positive stand against
the former food administrator Il am
utterly opposed TO Mr.. Hoover from
start TO finish" he said. Il never
voted for a republican and I shall not
Legin now, Let Mr. Hoover run on
the republican ticket, where he be-
longs"
Representative 1'hctus w. Sims
paid high tribute TO Hoover. II
have given no particular thought 60
Mr. Hoover az q presidential candi-
date" said Judge Sims. II would say.
oithand, however he has some ele-
ments Of very great strength. He
has worldwide reputation for
handling mn extremely difficult sit
uatlon in Belgium before we went
into the war. then In our own coun-
try during the war, and then what
proved him n capable man and has
made him world figure. As 10 what
effect his candidacy would have,
am not prepared to say, but | be-
licvo he Is man who would appeal
very largely AT this time TO public
His work has been non
political. but he has been successful
IN all hts undertakings. lie has done
wonderful work In the relief work
and we must remember that feeding
u people is as great job as tghting
a people
Congressman Edwin l. Davis was
another who expressed n high regard
for Hoover without any reference To
his availability az democratic candi-
whom no question has been raised
ls to his qualifications" said Judge
Davis. mo one challenges the fact
that he Is of presidential size. Neither
s it questioned that he would apply
lis very great ability and energy 90
what he conceives to he an absolutely
lnsoInsh and patriotic performance
" the duties Of the presidential Of
Ice. lie would undoubtedly be a
trong candidate"
Representative Hubert Fisher ex-
PRESSED the view that Hoover is a
nan of big callhro. Il don't know
low he would take as n candidate
Ia said
Representative Joseph w, Byrns Is
mother who expressed admiration for
loovcr's achievements without ref
tpuco 20 politics. other members ot
delegation who were seen were
acommitml On the Hoover move
l,ut