New-York tribune., 1920-01-25
Is Said to See Little Diff
ference Between the
Parties as They Are
Constituted at Present
Would Rather Run
As a Republican
Is a Progressive and Will
Stand Only on a Plat
form That Suits Him
By Theodore iM. Knappen


WASHINGTON. Jan. 24.-While Her
bert Hoover is not seeking the nomina
ton for the Presidency, he will accent
either the Democratic nomination or
the Republican nomination, or he will
take them both, if both are offered.
have this on the authority of two of
his closest intimates and admirers, with
one CT whom he has recently discussed
the situation most candidly, and both
Of whom are Republicans and would
like to see him nominated on the Re
publican ticket. The information could
only be made more authoritative
and convincing than it is by signed
statement from Mr.. Hoover himself
that he is willing to accept either NOM
nation.
Reservations in Attitude
VI course, there are conditional res
ervations in Mr.. Hoover's present atti-
tude, which will appear in the follow
ing composite of the two statements,
each of which was given without it's
maker knowing what the other had
said:
Mr. Hoover has considered himself a
Republican and, under similar crcum-
stances, would much rather run as
Republican than as Democrat. How
ever, he regards the two parties as
nothing more than names and political
machines, and considers that as mat
'erS now stand, and have stood for
some time, they represent only organ
Red aspiration to control the govern
ment There is, he believes, no real
difference between the two parties ex-
cept IN history; that no momentous is
sues separate them; that no man really
nows why he calls himself a Repub-
lcsn or Democrat, beyond the force of
habit, sentimental tradition and the
eifish associations of the conflict be-
sween the 'ins' and the outs.
"At the same time. he believes that
10 man can be elected to the Presi-
dency without the Endorsement of one
Of the party machines. He knows and
understands the value of organization
N politics as in other things. He fur
;her believes that neither party, as
party, is willing to take a stand any
where except on both sides of the
fence, having in mind not principles
but victory at the polls.
Free to Act, in Politics
Such being the situation, Mr.
Hoover sees no relation between any
mans position at this time and his
CORNER political affiliations, and he con-
sIders that he, although labeled Re-
publican in the past, is free. without
stuitl.ication, to accept the Democratic
nomination, provided, of course. it IS
not on platform Numerically op-
posed 20 his ideas. In general those
ideas may be classified as liberal and
progressive. If the Republicans are
gong to be a progressive party Mr..
hoover would much prefer their NOM
nation to one from an also liberal
democracy, but he would gladly accept
liberal Democratic nomination
4 against reactionary Republican nom,
81 inee
4 For example, suppose the Repub-
i'eans at Chicago should nominate Sem
S'or Harding Then, no matter what
~as IN the Republican platform, Hoover
you'd accept the Democratic nomina-
noa II offered to him at San Francisco.
& ne hoDes for a new party alignment.
81 sgardiess OF names, and he desires to
oe WITH the liberals. If the progress
nses are to dominate the Republican
pa.;y HooTer would gladly accept Re-
yaohcan nomination, and both parties
Oeihg liberal he might refuse Demo
s'slic nomination against really pro-
Eesslye Republican. OF course, it
souid be up to Mr.. Hoover to make his
ssh analysis and decide for himself in
.m ~nen party fold the real progressives
slll be found"
81 oae Of tho gentlemen contributing
|# me foregoing composite added that
RI ffYn az frt hi f1Q
81 sas me sentiment Of the country Will
.aa'.e OF the next President. One is
ss' ne Shall be a business man and
~ =, p'her that he shall be progressive.
|H .n'oser mas both of them" he added
.saa, ao believe that he would have an
,.Isnt prospect Of being elected on
II Hoover Seen az Winner
WI. .ae other contributor TO the com
q 'asiie said
should dislike to gee Hoover nom
ssI. ny the Democrats, but he is the
Fl ~ nan tney can win with In fact,
K -, she only man in the country who
n So assufs success 10 either. party |
.ls. .pr nm wherever ne goes | CON
II So MN the greatest living American.
ssa she IDEAL man 70 head this nation
|H sasse troubloug times."
q s;a..m rom atill another source. equally
NJ 70 ar. Hoover, was assured that
4 sst mower mooSer' contrary 10 reports, did
H.. zen remotely discuss politics in
|N A., s"fH On Friday With any one, and
syssa is MS hxed determination to
T. ~. aai public discussions on politics
III s's n TINE. His invariablc answer To
ssx.sons xssxl'ons Of a political tenor from
saspsper men IL:
Ts.s .aast decline TO talk politics."
yssi.,s YOU'D appear to be the correct
II xnn xn,rts.n 'or man engaged in at
Ia ssa''ssE ~ ~ delicate an enterprise az
.sss," !" composing the differences be-
ssrk seap'tal and labor through his
Niea ., ~ the jnduztrial conference,
ssd !. npoyef ~ admittedly dominating
In. " ~ w'ieh he IN giving his thought,
s4n, na a, energy without stint. Politi-
NJ asse declare tina. for ii man With
hsI...vD var.y aad occupying this unique
Il 'jsgn sjsss' o. being aoasibly the nominee
nslAsf nslsy IT Is an admirably discreet
2 ~, ,sh - hs last mentioned source came
~ kss. sMtenent that 10 far Hoover
~ "at 1f politics. even IN the ex-