The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-07-03
M 'ADOO BACKERS
HOLD WHIP HAND, !.
EXPERT ASSERTS
"Can't Beat Somebody With
Nobody" Applies to 0ppon-
entS While Former SeCre-
tary's Supporters Know
What They Want.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE,
Especial Correspondent Of The New
EAl

ScImttar.l
SAN FRANCISCO, July 3.--The old
political adage. you can't beat some-
body with nobody" applies directly to
the situation In which the forces OPP
posed to the nomination of McAdoo
found themselves this morning.
We've stopped 'em," comes the
whispered assurance from the Palmer
scouts, who are out in the lobbies keep
ing up the enthusiasm OF their support
ers. Somewhat the same thought pro-
ceeds from Cox people, who talk vague
about a combination OF New York,
Illinois, Indiana and Massachusetts,
nation"
But on the inside, where the lead
ers Of all the booms foregather. anotheR
people have a few politicians and
strategists in their ranks, and rather
deflntte word was sent to the Cox head
quarters that, II the Cox delegates are
coerced into combination to beat Nc
Adoo. there viii never be any support
given Cox II the convention stays dead
locked for a week. The same kind OF
threat was sent to the Palmer man
ayers. And naturally the men who are
eager to nominate Palmer or Cox don't
want to antagonize SO large a block Of
votes as are held by the McAdoo men.
To get votes, affirmative and not neg.
ative combinations must be made.
Tammany's Position.
Tammany couldn't afford TO enter
into any combination against McAdoo.
There are at least 20 votes for Me-
Adoo In the New York delegation and
II It became apparent that New York
was trying to block the nomination OF
Mekdoo, Tammany's chances Of getting
Wilson supporters to vote the state
ticket next fall would be imperiled.
bimilarly Tom TaggRrt, who wants to
run for senator next fall, isn't taking
"a t4Fxf ssxr
hostility of McAdoo men in Indiana.
And George Brennan, who Is trying to
inherit Roger Sullivan's leadership in
Illinois, Is treading cautiously, too.
The talked-of anti-McAdoo combina-
ton becomes less and less tangible sim
ply because those who started Il had
dark horses OF their own 10 trot forth
and merely wanted to stop the McAdoC
nomination., as he seemed 20 be the
leader in the race. The effort came
too early, Both the supporters Of pai-
mer and Cox aren't Thinking of dark
horses. They arc thinking Of their re-
spective chieftalns. Each group be-
I.s,n iieyes victory ", is possible and i pur-
rival camps. That's better politics
than negative combinations.
Having withstood the drive against
their candidate, McAdoo delegates sit
end. They act like crusaders who
know what they want. That's their
strength, in fact, it is the big factor
In any convention. For an affirmative
minority that knows what II wants has
q much better chance OF acquiring
delegates than negative minority that
simply is out TO beat somebody and
cannot offer a substitute.
Talk of Dark Horses.
The talk Of dark horses also came
soon enough to help McAdoo, for the
merits and deme1ts Of every Democrat
OF prominence have been talked over by
the delegates. Vice President Marshall.
Champ Clark and Homer Cummings are
the dark horse trio. The first two
would not be satisfactory to the Will
son forces. who. control this convention
The vice president is said to be op-
posed to the presidents stand on the
league OF nations. The former speaker
Is held in high esteem, but most of the
delegates think he is too advanced in
years. though his friends point to Glenn
enceau as an example OF political vigor
In the sixties.
Homer Cummings is perhaps the most
popular with the convention personnel,
but the delegates to this gathering are
aware that they must have a candidate
who is popular with the masses, too. if
they don't want the contest against
Harding TO go by default.
Cummings is an able lawyer and q
splendid orator, but he has never been
elected to high office. He ran for Uni
ted States senator in Connecticut once
and was beaten. on the other hand.
MeAdoo never was elected to any pub
lie post. Nevertheless, he has had two
big jobs-secrethry Of the treasury and
director-general OF railroads--and the
delegates who are for him are convince
ed that. whether or not 1t Is sufficient
to win, there is a decided sentiment
for McAdoo among the rank and file
Of the Democrats throughout the ma
ton, and that II McAdoo can't win
next autumn, no other Democrat can.
Copyright, 1920. by David Lawrenee.J