Evening star., 1920-02-01
HEADING OFF BRYAN is TASK
FACING DEMOCRATIC LEADERS
Reorganization" Stands Solidly With President
Wilson, But Nebraskan Will Make Radical
Appeal to Old Personal Following.

democratic organization, but how
to prevent either or both is the
question that will have to be dealt
with from now on by the machine
leaders.
President Wilson is looked upon
as the sole reliance of the leaders
to head off the threatened Bryan
domination. That he is the un-
questioned master of the organiza-
tion and is the party leader is be-
young cavil. But how heis to cap
italize the role in his present en-
feebled physical condition is the
rub. If he were in fit condition
physically many democratic lead
ers of influence would urge his
going to the convention in person
and pitting his personality against
Mr.. Bryan's in an appeal to the
delegates.
Yet, it is argued, such action
would result inevitably in his be-
ing renominated unless he should
declare absolutely his decision not
to accept. And the moment he
put himself out of the running the
officeholders and the officeseek-
ers would be at sea and his pres
tige begin to wane, the politicians
say. Wilson not a candidate. and
Bryan the possible choice. would
effect an immediate Psychological
change of conditions to the benefit
of Mr.. Bryan.
Presidents Health n Factor.
So. if the President recovers his
health and decides to go to San
Francisco, the organization leaders
will Immediately it is said. begin
to figure on his denomination as a,
matter of course. They foresee
that other aspirants for the nomi-
nation would feel hesitancy in
pushing their claims in the face of
possible acquienscence of the Pres
ident to a demand from the party
for his denomination.
The convention would in reality
become the scene of a contest be-
tween William ]. Bryan and Presi-
dent Wilson, and everybody else
would have to play second fiddle.
1t is admitted. without invidious
distinction, that none of the other
men suggested as. presidential pos
sibilities fill the public eye as do
these two democratic titans.
Democrats do not fail to take
note of the fact that while every
semi-inspired or supposedly au-
thoritative utterance upon the sub
ject puts the President out of the
running for a third term. no definite
word to that effect has come from
him. And It would be SO easy,
some of them complaint for him TO
say the word which would clear
: the atacsphere once for alt.
1t might be easy. but would It be
wise, others of the Presidents
friends are Suggesting to the
grumb1ers. They point out that az
the case now stands. President
Wilson is all that holds the. demo-
cratic organization together. Once
he is removed. they say, the field
, jump in and take command. What
other democrat is there Of ma
tional Importance and prestige suf-
ffcient to offer resistance to Bryan?
they ask.
Arguments Of Presidents Friends.
1t is believed that the President
realizes the cogency of these argu-
ments of his friends and is intent
upon holding the titular leadership
of his party until such time as it
may be safe to surrender it with
out forfeiting the field to Mr.
Bryan.
There has been an increase in the
gossip during the past week con-
cerning the Presidents possible
choice of a candidate in the event
that he will not accept renomina-
ton himself. The gossip contin-
ues to center around one man
Herbert c. Hoover-much to the
perturbation of the leaders who do
not want him. AS pointed out
heretofore, the machine men in
both parties, are dead set against
Mr.. Hoover's selection as candi-
date for either party. He is too
Independent, to put the complaint.
in nutshell.
But is not that very thing tn
objection of the politicians" the
keystone of the Presidents re-
ported prediction for Mr.. Hoover?
others are asking. In moments Of
wild conjecture, when despair has
almost seized upon them. some
democrats ask whether it would be
possible for the President to per-
sonally put Hoover over?"