Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-04-03
SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
DISCUSSED As DEMOCRATIC
POSSIBILITY.
TO TURN TO ioWAN
IF DEADLOCK ENsUEs
Meredith Popular With All Factions
of Democratic Party and Openly
Favored by Some For Leadership
Secretary Absorbed in Duties OF
New Office.
tBy r., G. Dougberty.1

Washington, April 3.-The elimin-
alton Of Herbert Hoover from among
the list of possibilities as the demo-
cratic candidate for the presidency
has revived speculation here OF an
other Iowan. Edwin T. Meredith. Sec
rotary Of agriculture. who has not
Leen lost sight of as a future occu-
pant Of the White House. tho he per-
sonally has discouraged any advoca-
cy of his name as successor to Wood
row Wilson.
Meredith has the enviable distinc-
ton in these days of acrimonious
political debate of being classed as
satisfactory" tho 1t is admitted that
should his strength not increase as
the San Francisco convention DAY
approaches, he can not be seriously
considered as more than possible
dark horse"
The rumor has been insistent nero
that William Jennings Bryan AT
recent conference with political lead
ers here characterized Meredith as
'the>best democratic timber for pres
idential candidate" but thus far
leaders with whom the Commoner
Conferred nave declined 10 confirm
: the rumor.
Joseph w. Polk, former governor
Of Missouri, who is perhaps the CLOS
est friend OF Bryan IN Washington.
told me today that the Nebraskan
has always held high opinion or
Mr.. Meredith" Polk, however. was
unable to say that he ever heard
Bryan refer to the Iowa cabinet
member in connection with the COM
ing convention.
Tho Bryan has held several con-
ferences with democratic senators
here. the topic Of the discussions has
largely been confined to the peace
treaty and Its effect upon the cam
paign II permitted to remain without
reservations. One of the senators
with whom Bryan talked was Robert
l.. owen, Of Oklahoma, who Is him
self a candidate for the democratic
nomination. Senators King, OF Utah.
and Ashurst, of Arizona, also held
conferences with Bryan. but possible
=
nave been mentioned.
Popular with ~ Factions.
should the development Of the San
Francisco convention make necessary
man not now actively in the cam
paign for the nomination, the name
OF Edwin r. Meredith undoubtedly
would be among the first mentioned,
for he stands today with the good
will OF all factions Of the democratic
party. He has all tho virtues and
none of the vices Of a presidential
possibility, leaders here believe, but
they frankly admit that the sugges-
ton OF his name has not progressed
beyond the range OF possible dark
horse" material.
Mr.. Meredith seems absorbed in
his Job as secretary Of agriculture
and he has no ambitions at this time
to go beyond that important office.
Bryan's reported mention Of Mere
9th when repeated today to demo-
cratic political leaders did not bring
forth any comment Of nature diff
fering from the reported Bryan esti-
mate. Every one had good word
to say of Mr.. Meredith, tho they
readily admitted that he had not
been among those considered for the
democratic nomination.
It was recalled today that the only
cabinet member who attended the re-
ception given to Mr.. Meredith by
senator capper when the Des Moines
man first assumed the cabinet port
folio was Josephus Daniels. secretary