New-York tribune., 1920-08-04
Nominee Is Annoyed by
Statement of Manager
That Covenant Would
Not Be Principal Issue
Governor Says He
Was Not Consulted
Particularly Embarrassed
by Fact Chairman Made
Remarks i'm WASHINGTON

DAYTON, Ohio, Aug. "A rebuke
for George White, chairman Of the
Democratic National Committee, is
seen here in declarations emanating
from the headquarters of Governor
James NJ. Cox.
The rebuke. gentle but none the less
firm, Is sugar coated with the state
ment that the Democratic nominee for
President has no intention "of burden
ing the national chairman and cam
paign manager with duties other than
those pertaining directly to the drec-
tion of the campaign"
Those close to the Governor, who
were intrusted with the task of max
ing the Governors displeasure known,
say that he was greatly annoyed when
White issued the now famous Wash
ington statement that the League of
Nations would not be the predominant
issue in the coming campaign.
White invented the slogan peace,
progress and prosperity" hoping to
have it take the place in 1920 that ale
kept US out of war" took in the 1916
campaign. He pooh poohed the idea
that the league issue would be kept in
the forefront and indicated that every
effort would be made to keep it in the
background.
Without Cox's Consent
1t now develops that in saying these
things White was speaking without con-
sultation or without the consent of the
nominee. Governor Cox at that time
had not indicated in any way just
what he was going to do on the league
issue. and there was a great deal of
1t proves, was wrong. White evidently
was misled by what he heard from
others close to the Governor and adopt
ed an attitude of contempt toward the
league.
Those in the closest touch with the
Governor deny that Whites statements
bore out his real sentiments. They
also say fatty that White was talking
on MS own hook. The truth, as these
con1dants OF the Governor say, is that
Cox IS to keep the league issue we'll to
the forefront during the campaign. and
1t is to be a league issue identical with
that insisted upon by President Wilson.
Cox won't make any effort to straddla
the issue or avoid shouldering the task
he inherits from President Wilson.
Washington Statement Annoying
What is said to have annoyed Gov,
crnor Cox particularly in connection
with Whites statement belittling the
league as campaign material is that the
statement was made in WASHINGTON on
a trip which, it was published at the
time, was for the express purpose of
obtaining President Wilson'S consent
ana approval to the Cox speech of ac
ceptance. 1t was felt that White shonId
have had better Judgment than TO ,-l9plo roalo
statement such as he did, without
consulting with the nominee but in
any event, should have chosen a nlore
propltlous moment than the time Of
his visit to Washington.
governor COX to-day put in another
quiet day, devoted entirely to porson.l
correspondence and some state business
except Tor attention given to the oues
ton OF inducing the Democratic Lepis-
lature OF tennessee to ratify the SUI
rage amendment Mrs. Ahbie Scott
n;aKer' political cnai rman of the Ma
tIonal Woman's Party, brought to the
Governor report that a careful can
Vass or the Tennessee Legislature dis
crosses that ratification will be defeated
there unless a change in the situation
is brought about
Emissaries Sent Into Tennessee
The nominee has sent personal ennis
sarles INTO Tennessee to bring him di-
rect evidence Of the situation. When
these agents report the Governor NAV
deterlnlne upon vigorous course of
action. Some believe that he NAV 90
so far as to bring personal pressure to
bear upon the legislators, as he feols
that failure Of Tennessee to ratify the
amendment after the appeals he has
made may emDarrass his candidacy
elsewhere as we'll as in Tennessee.
The Governor made it known def
nitely to-day that he will follow the ex-
ample set by Senator Warren G. Hard
ing and not attend the ceremonies mott
lying Franklin D. Roosevelt of his
nomination as Vice Pres sidential candi-
date. Senator Harding refraned from
attending the ceremonies notifying
Governor Calvin Coolidge.
The reason given was that confer
ences interfered, but the real reason
was desire not to detract attention
from Governor Coolidge on his day.
II M