The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1920-02-02
barometer of Public Opinion
A Clo.c-Ip OF Wood.

CRY ROBERT r. SMALL. In Washington Post)
The fact that ne has occupied for more than
a year now a position among the leading as
pirants for the presidency Of the United States
has changed Leonard wood not at all. His re-
cont visit 20 Washington was delight TO his
old friends In the capital Some of these friends
were "A bit diffident about assuming their for
mer relations with the man grown to such emit
heht ponucal stature So much TO lheF JOY
they found General Wood seeking them out.
AVo,dlnB poiluoa ana polltlcans, the dlStln-
suished soldier and administrator who many
believe may be the next occupant of the white
house spent several Of his evenings calling In
formally NJ the homes and apartments OF his
old associates. Avoiding the glamour OF the
hotels General Wood stopped while here at the
bachelor flat OF several OF his brother officers
on duty at the war department.
II was the good fortune OF the writer to be
a visitor at an II street bachelor flat late one
evening when there came very firm rap
the bellless door In response TO hearty
Come int from the host, there appeared on
the threshold the formidable figure OF General
Wood. casual note left at the Metropolitan
club had informed the general where an old
visedly for General Wood had to climb two mar.
row flights OF somewhat rickety stairs to reach
mat third-floor front, Tho general completed
a company OF four and It So happened all had
previously mot. In the old fashioned fireplace
several logs were burning brightly, and the gem
erals arrival meant merely the addition OF
another comfortable chair to the circle drawn
about the hearth.
do not know how long we sat there--per-
haps 1t was until after in tho mornng-but|
In amy event II was long enough for the infor-
NAL and confidential tank to lead far back over
the iilustrious career OF the man In uniform
there in the freight with the ribbon OF the
congressional medal Of honor having first place
In the rainbow OF decorations on the left breast
OF his tunic.
The talk drlrted widely from time In time
covering variety of topics-the old Roosevelt
days, the conduct OF the war military training
Tor American youths; the prospects of the ru,
one said anything and we all sat gazing at the
, slaHIng logs as 4 they might hold some key to
the mystery OF tho months and years TO come.
General wood was In Retrospective and re-
Elective mood. The quiet OF the fire lit room
with It's long dark shadows, seemed to make for
condolences ana General Wood frankly and
Freely ana as though he thoroughly enjoyed his
temporary asylum, away from critical eyes and
ears. For fully three hours we talked and lis
tened. and at the end of that time the impress
sion left upon us was that although he had dis
cussed fully his own experiences In the world
war-cNperionCes which must have brought
Keen disappointment to him--GcneraI Wood let
fan no word of complaint, no suggestion OF re-
elimination. There was no word OF the long
recital which might not with the utmost pro-
prety he made public; no word with which earn.
ing critics inight find fault; no word TO call for
contradiction
It was intensely interesting TO study General
Wood as he comfortably lounged in an old arm
chair. his face lighted only by the warm glow
OF the fresgs. The striking Impression OF the
man man was one of complete ruggedness-rusged
physique, rugged Americanism, rugged sound
ness OF thought and rugged speech The talk
turned much upon Roosevelt naturally, ana IL
the two men. To General Wood ne was always
''Iheodoro" and II came to me with the shock
ot a discovery that here was a man who was not
only the friend or Roosevelt az all the world
Is saying, but friend TO Roosevelt in the
DAYS when the subsequent president was but
little known, Roosevelt leaned upon Wood
when Wood was the greater figure OF the two
Wood had the confidence OF Roosevelt when
IT r. himself amounted 20 hut little Roose-
volt was glad To be second In command TO Wood
when the famous Rough Riders rode to Cuba
and 10 military fame.
Wood, sitting before the fire seemed TO me
10 possess a splendid share of the yigor the
strength and the Initiative OF Roosevelt, without
the headlong impetuosty which 80 frequently
les the former president TO the brink OF trouble
Wood Is not man TO be swept off his feet
Courageous and positive. he is yet a deem
thinker. could not imagine him ever being
swept so TAR arleld Roosevelt when In
lyl2 he made his famous Columbus speech i'm
favor Of tho recall OF judicial decisions IT II -
nfterward admitted this 20 have been a serious
mistake, serious misleading OF the times which
cost him many votes AT the November polls
General Wood surprised us all with his politi-
cnl knowledge, Not only was he aCquaint ed
with the situation in the various states but he
spoke with easy freedom ana n seemingly correct
estimate OF the party leaders In these states
The person who thinks OF General Wood as a
,yro in politics Is due for a rude awakenipE He
VIII not be a tool in the hands OF his MULTIPLICITY
3t managers, but IL more likely to he the direct
ing genius OF the organization himself
when ne lett our company the other night he
trudgod down the riCketS stairs Without care-
nlony ana, all alone, this figure in the forefront