Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-01-25
GOV. LOWDEN NOW LEADING
RIVALS IN REPUBLICAN RACE
Has Assets of Practical Political Value Wood
Strength Held Circun1scribed-
of Hoover Influence Uncertain

elements.
This necessity was accumulated
by the militant policy of Senator
Hiram johnson. who has launch
ed vigorous drive for the pro-
greSSiveS, considering himself as
at least co-heir to that vote. by
reason of his having been the run
ming mate of Roosevelt. He has
established headquarters in New
York and himself has taken the
stump for an active canvass.
May Weaken Wood Strength.
The Johnson drive is estimated
by politicians as calculated to
weaken the Wood strength and
divide the progressive vote. which
is the very foundation of the Wood
candidacy. At the same time, Gov
Lowden's managers have started
in to undermine Wood in states
such as New Jersey and try to win
delegates away from him. Some
politicians have suggested that
possibly. in the final showdown. If
Senator Johnson should find his
turn over his progressive dele
gates to Gen. Wood. but that con-
tlngency is far in the future.
Harding's Chief Weakness.
Senator Harding's candidacy is
politicians as lacking aggressive
ness. and they prophesy that this
criticism is his chief weakness
at this time. 1t is admitted now
that the republican who gets the
nomination will have to fight for
it and that a candidate will have
to have iron in his blood, show
courage and the rough and-tumble
nerve to wade into the fight. give
hard blows and be able to stand
the gaff." Lowden and Johnson
are both said to measure up to
these requirements to advantage.
The time is past. the political
leaders say, for any candidate to
assume a super-altruistic attitude
toward the nomination. to stand
on punctilio or expect the nomi-
nation to seek him. Gov. Lowden
was charged earlier in the pro-
ceedings with inclination to take
such a position. but it has been
hammered out of him by his back
ers, it is said.
Sentiment for Mr.. Hoover.
While the avowed candidates are
working to get delegates, the
Hoover sentiment is still in the
air. Nobody seeks to minimize the
extent of the Sentiment for Mr..
Hoover. but it is at this time alto
gether personal sentiment. without
party background. Republicans
are disposed to look upon Mr.
Hoover as more likely to be DEM
ocratic candidate than to be chosen
by their own party. or possibly to
be an Independent candidate.
It can be stated with assurance
that. as the case now stands the
old-line republican managers do
not want Mr.. Hoover as their can
10 no 70 h.
public sentiment to consider him a
candidate for the nomination. but
they will not seek him as such un-
less tltst public demand assumes
such proportions that it would be
dangerous to resist it,
But how is that public demand
going to be shown? the practical
politicians are asking. The next
few weeks will have to furnish an
answer il one is to be forthcoming.
because the country is now on the
eve of beginning the selection of
delegates to the national conven-
ton.
Must Align With Party.
It was intimated at the close of
the week that Mr.. Hoover's friends
will start a campaign for him by
organizing Hoover clubs; that he
might write letter to one of
them setting forth his policies. but
it was pointed out that it would
still be devolvent upon him to
make a declaration of party affili-
alton. At this writing. whatever
it may turn out to be by election
time, it is insisted that this is still
a government by party and voters
will continue to put the ancient
question, Under what flag?"
Discussion of democratic posi-
bilities is still under the soft pedal,
due to the uncertainty of what
President Wilson intends to do and
who President Wilson may want.
Mr. Bryan's activities are being
watched with interest in all demo-
cratic circles, and with apprehen-
sion in some. The general belief
is that he is heading straight for
one of two inalitieS-either he
will de-democratize the party in it's
platform and radicalize it to suit
all the various elements of dis
content to which he is said to be
catering, or he will bolt and form
a radical party. placing himself at
it's head.