The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1920-01-05
BY JAMES A. HAGERTY.

The shadow Of William ]. Bryan, thrice
defeated Democratic nominee for Presi-
dent and nov mentioned as u probable
candidate for q fourth nomination. is
likely 10 cast a measure Of gloom oYor
the meeting Of the Democratic National
committee at Washington this week and
s2ts accompanying jackson Day dinner,
, which win be addressed by galaxy OF
aspirants for the Democratic nomination
for President
Not that tho present manipulators OF
the Democratic machine have any great
FEAR that Ar. Bryan viii be nominated.
The Bryan movement has not gone far
3 enough for that yet, although his noIni-
nation is by no means impossible
The thing that is causing the Demo-
cratic leaders anxiety is the potentality
!. OF Mr. Bryan az a disturbing factor at
F, tho Democratic National Convention and
the likelihood that he may upset by the
power of his personality and oratory the
I, most careful political arrangements and
! eallse a carefully built up structure for
> This or that candidate 60 collapse like a
house OF cards.
Palmer Forces Apprehensive.
Supporters Of Attorney General A.
f, Mitchell Palmer are the ones who view the
| re-entrance OF Mr.. Bryan into the Demo-
cratic arena with the most apprehension.
J Adr. Palmer undoubtedly can be regarded
I! as the leading Democratic candidate, his
position being somewhat similar to that of
[ General Leonard Wood in the Republican
J. race for the nomina ion, although the
fcharacter of his support is different
Mr.. Palmer apparently now has more
Z purely political support than any other
J Democratic candidate. He has so much
I that accusations have been freely made
! that Joseph p. Tumulty, secretary to
3 President Wilson; Homer S. Cummings,
3 chairman of tho Democratic National
rCommittee, and a majority of the members
4 OF the Executive Committee have been
using the power of their positions to pro-
: mote his candidacy to the detriment OF the
!, other candidates.
Mr.. Bryan is understood to be unaiter-
! ably opposed to the selection of Mr.. Palmer
as the Democratic standard bearer. He
/. also is understood to be opposed to William
! q. McAdoo. son-in-law of the President
and formerly Secretary of the Treasury
: and Director General of Railroads, who
/ has moro political support than any other
} candidate except Mr.. Palmer.
: Mr. Bryan is understood to be ready to
: lead fight against any candidate who he
believes is favored by the Wall street in
terests," the tabled octopus OF Wall
/ street being an old and favorite enemy of
his. While he has not announced his can
( didacy his friends believe that 1t would
not require an undue amount OF urging
TO get him into the field
VIII be a Factor.
In any event they expect him TO be a
factor in the convention. Friends and foes
alike look for a repetition of an attack
pom the influence of men of wealth in the
Democratic national councils similar to
that he made on Thomas f. Ryan and
August Belmont at the Baltimore conyen-
ton in 1912.
II has not been forgotten that Mr.. Bryan
brought about the defeat of Champ Clark
for the Democratic nomination after the
latter had received the votes Of more than
a majority Of the delegates, smashed the
slate agreed upon by the powerful party
leaders and caused the nomination of
Woodrow Wilson. Whether he can re-
peat this year is uncertain, but there is
little doubt among Democratic leaders
that he will try.
Another factor Of the Bryan situation
which Is bothering Republicans, az Well
az Democrats is the possibility Of Mr.,
Bryan coming forward as the great pro-
hihtion leader Most Of the Democratic
leaders have no desire TO have prohibition