Evening star., 1920-01-26
Stirring Campaign Ahead
Promises to Run Along
Lines of 1896.
ISSUE is RADICALISM
AGAINST CONSERVATISM
Harding oand Lowden Headquarters
Opened Here-Hoover Status
Nebulous-Bryan Bewilders.
BY n. o. MESSENGER.


From now until the approach of the
national conventions Washington
promises to be a center Of important
political activity, with several candi-
dates for the presidential nomination
maintaining branch headquarters here
while the Capitol, as always. will be
hotbed of politics. 1t is recognized
that in no other city in the country is
there more concern over politics than
in the National Capital. where the ma
terial interests of SO many thousand
people are ESSENTIALLY related to the
subject.
1t goes without saying that the ap-
preaching national campaign. involv-
ing the election of President and Vice
President. the House of Representa-
tives, one-third of the Senate and
many governors of states, will hold
commanding attention, since every
ditions prevailing in the country.
FrictiOns, Divisions, Currents.
The friction within the democratic
party caused by William J. Bryan's
dramatic and spectacular play for
domination of that party's platform
and dictation of it's nominee; the
sharp division in the republican
ion over the league of nations; the
alarming growth of radicalism. and
at the same time of the increasing E
tendency toward breaking down OF
dependent movements, all serve to
whet the interest of people in political
developments and discussions.
The campaign. in the opinion of
many observers, promises to be as
memorable as that of 1896, and to run
somewhat W
enlarged lines, with contest be-
tween radicaliSm and conservatism.
There is this difference, however, it
is said. in 1896 the radicalism was all
while in 1920 it will be found to a
degree in both parties. though in less
proportion among the republicans.
Bew1ldered by Bryan.
A year ago. politicians were wont to
comment upon the alleged growing
tendency of the democratic party. and
the incumbent administration, toward
socialistic and radical ideas. Today
they are bewildered by the suddenness
with which Mr.. Bryan came with
whirlwind impetuosity to endeavor to
sweep the democratic party to further
lengths of radicalism.
So, that now, they say, one faction
of democrats is holding back in the
attempted onward drive, and charging
that man, SO often proclaimed the
peerless leader" of democracy, no
longer represents the true Jeffersonian
and Jacksonian brand of democrat, but
is an advanced socialist and radical
The efforts of the more conservative
democrats to maintain their party
within more conservative lines than
laid out by Mr.. Bryan are expected
to form an interesting feature of the
campaign.
For the present. the contest over the
presidential nomination is more in evil
dence among the republicans than
among democrats. for the reason that
several openly avowed candidates for
the republican nomination are in the
held, with active campaigns under
way. The lack of activity of candi-
dates for the democratic nomination is
lald to current uncertainty as to Presi-
dent Wilson's desires and purpose.
Harding and LOwden Booms.
Headquarters of the Harding boom
for the republican nomination have
been opened at the Ebbitt House, in
the suite formerly occupied by Will
liam Mckinley when he resided at
that hotel, with Mrs. Mckinley, while
he was in the House of Representa-
tives. Harry NJ. Daugherty of CoIum-
bus. Ohio. who has nationwide
acquaintance with republicans, will
be in charge of the campaign He
has the counsel and advice. it is
known. of other Ohio republicans
of acknowledged political managerial
ability.
I Gov. Lowden's Washington head
quarters were opened today in the
Munsey building. under the auspices
of the entire Illinois republican dele
cation in Congress. Representative
Frank l.. Smith of Illinois is in
charge of the headquarters. with Rep
resentative Ira c. Copley, vice chair
man; Representative Thomas S. Will
liams, secretary, and Senators Sher-
man and Mccormick and Representa-
tives Wilson and Rodenburg in ex-
ecutive capacities.
"Our purpose" said Representative
Smith today. will be to make Gov.
Lowden known to the whole United
States. He is not an unknown man
in any sense. The people of other
who established a splendid reputation
during the war. But we want them to
learn upon what that reputation is
based. to inform them in detail of his
accomplishments and to get them ac-
Quainted with his character. If we
can accomplish this purpose we firm
ly believe Gov. Lowden will be the
next republican nominee for Presi-
dent.
Hoover Boom NebulOus.
The Hoover boom is still nebulous
and. according to his chief spokesman,
/ is likely to remain so far awhile. Ju-
Illus H. Barnes of New York. who re-
Gently launched the Hoover move
ment, has issued a statement denying
that Mr. Hoover is encouraging po-
litical activity in his behalf. Ex-
planning that Mr.. Hoover's recent
visit to New York was connected
solely with his interest in the Euro
pean Childrens Fund. of which he is
a director, Mr.. Barnes statement
says:
There is no authority or sanction
! for any organization work in the
form of Hoover clubs or any other
similar organized effort. There is not
a dollar of campaign fund nor a dol
lar authorized to be spent. The sit
uation is exactly as when l spoke
two weeks ago. He will not permit
his friends to organize sentiment in
his behalf, and. personally, l do not
believe he will permit himself to be-
come a candidate unless there is un-
mistakabIe evidence of spontaneous
and popular demand for him."