Arizona republican., 1920-01-17
(By Frederic J. Haskin)

WASHINGTON, Jan. li.-One more sturdy tree in the growing and tangled forest of presidential timber-Senator Miles Poindexter of Washington
 Some facts about him are presented here, not in any partisan spirit, but in the belief that every candidate for the presidential nomination deserves to have his claims set forth. The Haskln letter has already written up a number of would-be presidents of both parties, and will continue it's canvass of possl- ble presidents even if this involves, as now seems not improbable, the writing up of the entire senate and large percentage of state governors. Never In the history of the country have so many good men offered their services to the nation in the highest capacity Nearly everyone has now lost count Of the more or less avowed candidates for the presidency, while an accurate count of presidential possibilities and favorite sons would be a job for the census bureau. It is a heartening proof of the wonderful self confidence Of our public men. It has been said that no president except Lincoln ever faced such a ticklish job our next presi- dent will face, and yet there is a goodiy company of men who admit they are equal to the situation.
 Senator Poindexter is pre- eminent among these. He has frankly an
 
 not pretend that enthusiastic friends are pushing him into the scrap despite his own reluctance. He wants the job, and says so. At the same time. he does not conceal the fact that there ss a crowd behind him to back him up in his efforts to get it.
 Some of these friends and packers have kindly furnished an outline of the senator's career and sketch Of his character. which derives additional in terest from the fact that he is not as well known to the public as some of the other aspirants The senator is of southern descent was born in Memphis and educated in Virginia. He was de- ned the boon of undernourishment in childhood. which is so valuable to pres idential candidates and 1t is not of record that he ever performed any hard manual labor. On the other hand, we learn that when he obeyed Horace Gree ley,s behest to go west. at the age of twenty three, he landed in Walla Wal la Wash. with only ten dollars to his name. This is surely point in his favor as is also the fact that he did not let anyone take his ten dollars away from him, but hung onto it and made it grow.
 His subsequent career is devoid of sensational features, but wholly cred itable. He got married, became pros- ecuting attorney, judge. congress man, and finally a senator.
 An unusual and interesting feature of his candidacy is that his physical qualifications for the job are frankly advanced of some importance Most of the candidates to date, like Disraen are standing exclusively on their, heads. Proven administrative ability" is the chief qualification advanced on behalf of every one of them. Nothing is of fered to prove that they are physically fit to stand the strain and effort Of running a nation at high speed. Surely, this is an oversight. Physical exam1na- tions for presidential candidates would seem odd, but they would surely repre- sent a wise precaution. The adminis- tration of an intelligence test in addi- ton would be a positive impudence. and yet it might serve as valuable check on some of the claims put for ward for some of the candidates. If a soldier has to prove that he is physical ly and mentally sound, why not presi- dential candidate.
 At any rate, Senator Poindexter's friends, while by no means failing to point out his pre-eminent mental gifts think it worth while to mention also that he is six feet two inches tall, and a powerful man. who, like Roosevelt is devoted to the invigorating outdoor life He is a hunter and fisherman and he likes to box and believes in exhibition boxing. He is also mighty walker. It is recorded that ne walks twice a day the three miles between his home in Washington and the Capitol which is not only good exercise, but in a city with a street car system like that of Washington, good sense.
 And the senator, not content with this six miles day, is often to be seen we are told, beating it for the open country on foot, there to thrash out problems of state as he strides along He is reputed to find walking an ex- ceIlent mental stimulus, and to evolve most of his ideas while on the hike All of this pedestrianism and sport x..x,,r,t1x- <opfrib,,fo to koen him n