Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-02-09
M NOT A
CANDIDATES
SAYS HOOVER
Unwilling to Pledge Vote
Until Party Policies
Are Defined.
STANDS FOR LEAGUE

NEW YORK. Feb. 9-Herbert Hoover
today issued the following statement con-
corning his attitude toward the presi-
dency:
I'm order to answer a large number
of questions all at once, let me emphasize
that I have taken day of from the In
dustrial conferepr Washington to
come to New y :; to attend to
pressing matte :. connection with the
childrens relief. I want to say again,
/ have not sought and am not seeking the
presidency. l am not a candidate.
sf4aye no organization No one Is author
ICED to speak for me politically.
AS an American citizen by birth and
of long ancestry, I am naturally deeply
INTERESTED in the present critical stu
alton. My sincere and only political de-
sire is that one or both of the great
political parties will approach the vital
issues which have grown out of the war
and are new, with a clear purpose looking
TO the welfare of our people and that
candidates capable of carrying out this
work should be nominated
WILL VOTE FOR
LEAGUE or NATIONS.
IF the treaty goes over to the presi-
&HCAtAdl SieCIIOH (WlL0 any reservations
Unnecessary to clarity the worlds mind
that there can be no infringement of
Athe safeguards provided by our consti-
Hutton and our nation-old traditIons)
#hen | must vote for the party that
Stands for the league. With it, there is
hope not only of the prevention of war.
but also that we can saely economize in
#nilitary policies. There is hone OF
JAN earlier return of confidence and the
Economic reconstruction of the world
81 Il could not vote with a party If 1t
were dominated by groups who seek to
Eset aside our constitutional guarantees
for free speech or for free representation
8who hope to re-establish control Of the
government for profit and privilege. 7
could not vote with a party If it were
dominated by groups who hope for any
form Of socialism, whether it be nation
#alization of industry or other destruction
of individual initiative. Both these ex-
#tremes, camoufaged or open, are active
@enough in the country today. Neither
#of these nominations would enable those
constructive economic policies that Will
#get us down from the unsound economic
practices which Of necessity grew out Of
the war, nor would they secure the good
will to production in our farmers and
sorkers or maintain the initiative of our
&business men. The issues look forward,
not back.
Opposes MORE THAN
= TWO GREAT PARTIES.
II do not believe in more than two
great parties. Otherwise combinations
of groups could, as in Europe, create a
danger of minority rule. do believe
in party Organization to support great
ideals and to carry great issues and
consistent policies. Nor con any ono
man dictate the issues of great parties
it appears to me that the hope of n
great majority of our citizens in con.
fronting this new period in American
life is that the great parties will take
positive stands on the many issues that
confront US. and will select men whose
character and association will guarantee
their pledges.
81 am being urged by people in both
4 parties to declare my allegiance to
either one or the other. Those who
know me know that am able to mako
up my mind when a subject is clearly
4 defined. Consequently until 1t more den
nitely appears what the party managers
stand for. / must exercise a Drerogative
Kot American citizenship and decline to
4 pledge my vote blindfold.
II am not unappreci9tlve OF the many
Kind things that my friends have ad-
81 yanced on my behalf. Yet hope they
will realize my sincerity in not tying
myself to underlined partisanship."