Evening star., 1920-03-14
BY n. O. MESSENGER.

Unbiased summarization OF the
best reports available to neutral po-
litical observers on the campaign for
the presidential nominations Of the
two great parties presents few out
standing facts in a wide field of spec
ulation. The tangible things to be
grasped and laid hold upon are limit
ed in number there is a whole broad
universe of possibilities.
But it is fascinating study. on ac-
count of the very uncertainty OF the
situation and the complexity OF all
the elements entering into it. Tho
one big fact towering above the 9TH
ers is that it is still any mans fight
Tho statement is applicable to both
parties. with the single exception that
with the democrats it is President
Wilson's nomination should No
want it.
The present Indications are that
the majority Of the delegates to botn
national conventions will be unin-
structed. 1t does not follow that in
dividuals may not have preconceived
predictions for candidates. but they
will not be bound by hard and fast
instructions The democrats seem
now intent upon following the lead OF
the republicans and sending their
largest delegations without instruc-
tions.
Hs,ch1m> Nenss OuDOrtunity
Preconceived predictions, there
fore, will be subject to change after
listening to arguments advanced by
leaders and party managers at San
Francisco and Chicago. 1t will az
ford a great opportunity for the ma
chine men and they are preparing to
avail themselves of it. The voice
may be the voice Of the primaries.
but the hand by which the result Will
be wrought will be the hand Of the
skilled political managers and manip-
ulators.
Some insight into the drift OF per-
sonal fortunes of individual aspirants
for the nomination is afforded, but 1t
is only glimpse and. at present. only
of surface Indications. 1t is in order
to refer to them as aspirants, since
several "possibiNties'' are withhold
ing announcement Of actual candi-
dacy IN both parties.
In considering the democratic
field, it is necessary to adopt as
reservation number one-"1f the
President does not want renomtna-
ton" Another wise precaution
might be to add "and II William ].
Bryan does actssssn NJ ths cards"
Barring these two considerations. it
il possible to proceed at leisure.
Democratic politicians say that
somehow or Jother-they do not know
just why nor how-the impression
has gained ground within the last
ten days that William G. McAdoo
is forging to, the front as for
midable figure to be reckoned with.
Mr.. McAdoo's policy has been made
clear by his own pronouncements
within a week. Several times he
has announced that his name is not
to be presented at the primaries or
in any state or district convention
as a candidate for the nomination.
He will accept the nomination, how
ever, If 1t comes to him with the
overwhelming vote of the national
convention.
Avoids Conflict.
No later than last Friday he in
formed the secretary of state Of
Michigan that should the democrats
of Michigan indorse him in the
primaries he would release them
from any obligations to support him
and beg them to enter the conven-
tion without any Limitation what
ever upon their freedom of action
so far as he is concerned. He is
pursuing the same policy in every
other state and by it is avoiding
possible favorite sons or drawing
the fire upon himself Of any other
aspirant, leaving his fate to be de-
cided by the delegates.
Many democrats hold that Mr..
McAdoo's being the Presidents
son-in-law is a drawback to his
availability and not a political as
set. They apprehend that the dele
gates might fear that the relation
ship would be disadvantage to the
democratic ticket at the polls, but
they recognize the objection to be
more or less academic and as not
precluding his nomination. One
thing is declared to be in evidence
that Mr.. McAdoo has been more
discussed in the last ten days than
any other man whose name Is be-
fore the public.