The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-01-12
Commoner 1t Is Believed Will
Attempt to Set Political
Course for Wilson.
IS AN ABLE MARINER
His Friends Understand He Is
Not Seeking to Secure Nom
ination For Himself.
(ex HARRY 3. HuNT.l

ing Woodrow Wilson, who as president
is titnlar head of his party, promises
to be that experienced and time-tested
political mariner II William Jennings
Bryan.
Whether Bryan himself is to steer
the course or whether he will simply
set the cou-se for another helmsman
is. in the belief Of political analysists
here, the only question involving
doubt.
Those who know Bryan best, how
ever, and the impulses that move him.
believe that he has re-entered the
political arena not to capture or at
terapt to ca pture any nomination for
himself, but to see that the political
program laid down by his party is a
liberal and appealing one and that the
candidate chosen is one that, in an ad-
mittedly difficult year, has a chance of
election.
President Wilson admittedly has
dominated his party for the past seven
ears He alone has held leadership,
ne has not, IS leader, developed sup
porting STAFF of political aides who
could carry on efficiently without his
direction.
The result was that, following the
presidents physical breakdown four
months ago, the democratic craft was
without an able steersman. She fell
off in the trough of the seas was buff
feted from all sides by the rising re-
publican gale and began TO founder
and ship water dangerously
BRYAN COMES ON DECK
Ii was at his point that Bryan re-
appeared on deck. called a council in
Washington Of his old crew mates and
announced that he was ready 10 do his
bit 10 keep the old ship off the rocks
That President Wilson is now improv-
ing in health. and by his letter to the
Jackson Day gathering. of democrats
indicates that he expects to be able to
resume active command from now on.
does not, it Is believed here, change
appreciably the Influence Bryan will
be able to exert in the coming cam
paign.
President Wilson has not the de-
voted personal following that attaches
70 Bryan. Ho held his party chiefs in
line only because those chiefs feared
him, feared his strength with the coun-
try at large. They resented his in
difference to their advice and impor-
tunities, but remained outwardly loyal
because they recognized his power.
NO LONGER FEAR WILSON
This fear OF their former chief, how
ever, has lessened following his physi-
cal breakdown and the relaxing of his
grip on affairs during the period of his
illness. There is further belief that
the presidents power with the people
also has suffered and that it is no
longer necessarily counting disaster TO
take issue with him on matters of
party policy.
Tt is in this condition that Bryan
finds the opportunity to resume lead
ership and plsy a powerful, if not de-
Gliding, part ir shaping the policy and
selecting the candidate for his party.
Three men have been mentioned as
among the possible beneficiaries of
Bryan should he not aspire TO the
crown himself but simply wish to die
tate where il should go-as he did sue
cessfulIy in 1912. They are ". G,
McAdoo. former secretary of treasury
and director general Of railroads; for
MGR Governor Joseph w. Folk of Mis-
seuri, and Josephus Daniels, secretary
of navy.
MeA0oo DOESN'T WANT 1T
McAdoo is not candidate. If he is
nominated it win be against his
wishes Frankly, he believes the dem
ocrats to be up against losing fight
and he does not wish to leave the law
practice he is getting on a profitable
basis ia New York to lead any forlorn
hopes for the presidency.
Folk is receptive" He was among
those present 1T Bryan's first confer
ence here on 1920 possibilities. and be-
leves he is one OF them.
Daniels, while not avowedly candi-
date has a hardening. He is in many
ways a prototype of Bryan. with some
what less eIoqllence and more execu-
tive ability, but the same fondness for
politics The recent unfortunate row
over the bestovtaI OF navy honors has, |
however, cloud ed his chances. Aside
from that lie would be a good candi- |
date, with many helpful enemies.
Another suggestion as to Bryan's re-
newed political activity at this juno
tlre is that. sensing Wilson's weaken i
ing hold on the democratic organiza-
ton and the possible loss of the 1920
campaign, he hopes to secure control
of the party organization and hold 1t I
together under liberal leadership for I
the next battle IN "a.
HAS EAR TO GROUND
One thing is conceded to Bryan-he !
has his ear to tae ground and catches i
the first STRINGS of sentiment around I
the grass roots. He eepoused prohibi- i
tion when ii seemed only a dream.
Now, to many who laughed at him, il
IS a real nightmare. He argued the
parity Of silver with gold Now the
silver dollar is a3ove par, bullion basis,
while gold is below. Just what he will
espouse for 1920 has not yet been made
clear. but whatever it is ii will get
many V8tes out on the chautauqua cir
cult if not in WsJI-S4