The New York herald., 1920-01-24
SAYS HOOVER TRIP
WAS NOT POLITICAL
j. H. Barnes, His Close Friend,
Calls Report unfair and
UngenerouS."
AWAITS POPULAR DEMAND"
Asserts There Will Be No Action to
Organize Sentiment for PreSi-
dental Nomination.

Julius II Barnes, federal wheat adj
ministrator. denied yesterday that Her
bert Hoover, whose possible candidacy for
President as the nominee Of one Of the
two major parties, had come to New York
on Thursday for political conference. as
had been reported. Mr.. Barnes, who is
one OF the original Hoover sponsors, said
that any organized effort for Mr. Hoover
was without authority, and expressed be-
lief that Mr. Hoover would not be can
didate unless there should be ''unmistak-
able evidence Of spontaneous and popular
demand for him" Mr.. Barnes said
Statements in this mornings papers
that Mr. Hoover had come to New York
for political conference with certain
gentlemen. including myself, are not only
without foundation. but are unfair and
uneonerous. The meeting yesterday was
the regular fortnightly meeting of the
directors of the European Childrens S Fund,
an organization for feeding the destitute
and undernourished children in the newly
created democracies of Central and East
ern Europe. The details OF that extensive
work require frequent consideration OF
the business men who are directors.
NOT N Noru Oh
Not a word of politics was discussed
in the gathering of these men, and Mr..
Hoovers whole attention at that meeting,
as in all meetings of this organization,
was directed to the discussion and deci-
sion of business details facilitating the
administration of that work in the eff
tient manner which has made him a popu-
lar figure. because he attends strictly to
business in matters entrusted to him. He
:, ff,.sr
his shoulders in connection with the In
dustrial Conference at Washington, try
ing to formulate workable programme
of industrial relations.
There is no authority or sanction for
any organization work in the form of
Hoover clubs or any other similar organ
lied effort There is not dollar of CAM
paign fund nor dollar authorized to be
spent.
THE situation is exactly as when l
smoke two years ago. He will not permit
his friends 10 organize sentiment in his
behalf and personally I do not believe
he will permit himself TO become candi-
date unless there is unmistakable evil
dence of spontaneous and popular demand
for him
Despite Mr.. Barnes statement, the pos
sible candidacy of Mr.. Hoover continued
to be a topic of discussion in both busi-
ness and political circles. The published
report that Mr.. Hoover had been a men,
Der of the National Republican Club from
1910 TO 1917 was not taken to indicate defi-
nitely that he is now a Republican, as he
resigned from the club more than two
years ago It was reported that Mr..
Hoover might get strong business backing
for the Republican nomination because of
a belief in certain quarters that he s
fitted to cope with international problems
New Wood Supporters.
Additional members of the New York
City Campaign Committee for Major Gen
eral Leonard Wood, of which Herbert l..
Satterlee, is chairman, became known
yesterday. They are Cortlandt Nicoil
formerly State Senator; Mrs. Francis
Yawger. Perley Morse and John II. Iselin
Theodore Douglas Robinson. formerly
State Senator and nephew of the late
Theodore Roosevelt, said that he was fol-
General Wood and intended TO do all he
could to help him get the Republican
nomination. Others coming out for Gen
eral Wood included group OF writers
Julian Street, Herman Hagedorn ano
Thomas l.. Mason. In a letter to Colone
William Cooper Proctor, chairman OF the
Leonard Wood League, Mr.. Mason said
For four years, individually and col
lcctively day in and day out, my family
and have been praying that Leonard
Wood would be the next President OF the
United States. We are tired OF corruption
and incompetency, of pussy-footing, pre-
varicating and profiteering, of SNUG senil'
ity. censorious secrecy and sanctirnonious
stupidity. We want a new deal. IeonarC
Wood is our choice"