Evening star., 1920-02-08

= TUDY Of dispatches to The
Star from its political cor
~ respondents in all parts of
the country. published here
with, leads irresistibly to two major
conclusions:
One is that the presidential boom
of Herbert Hoover Is not making
any such headway among repub-
licans as to warrant belief that
he will be seriously considered at
Chicago as the nominee of that
party-unless there should develop
a deadlock that no other asplrant
seemed able to break.
The second is that among DEM
ocrats the Hoover boom is labor
ing under a double handicap. 1t
suffers along with all other DEM
ocratic candidates. because of the
lack of knowledge of President
Wilson's wishes and Intentions,
and the Hoover movement is held
back by the further obstacle OF
his own silence.
~
That there is Hoover sentiment
among the rank and file of re-
publican voters in many parts OF
the country is undenfable, but IL
lacks organization and does not
at this time give promise of maxi
ing its weight felt in the selection
of delegates to the national con-
vention.
The republican party leaders ap-
pear to have the situation much
better in hand than is the case
with leaders in the opposition party.
and there is an absence Of any
considerable Hoover sentiment
among active republican workers.
Another thing which operates TO
hold back growth of a republican
Hoover movement is the number
and activity of republican candi-
dates. In several states the con-
tests between leading republican
aspirants already has grown so e1-
citing that there is afforded ample
outlet for the partisanship of vot-
ers and they are not tempted into
strange political byways in the
search of favorites.
More and more it is coming TO
appear that if Mr.. Hoover Is to be
the nominee of either party 1t Is al
San Francisco the tender will oe
made. AS rule. active democratic
party workers do not seem to take
any more kindly to the Hoover
brethren. but the situation in the
democratic party is much moro ia
vorable to the development OF
Hoover sentiment.
Nor is it true that active demo-
cratic workers everywhere are
against Hoover. In Wyoming dur
ing the week fifty leading demo-
Gratis met to select a state chair
man and to attend to other party
matters There was a banquet at
which inquiry was made as to
voices says q dispatch from Chey-
enne, those around the table shout
ed Hoover" Now, Wyoming Is q
small state and it's delegation will
not play a conspicuous part at San
Francisco. but this may be straw
to show which way the wind Is be-
ginning to set in.
A popularity OF the hoover sem
timent among democrats is that It
seems to be both sporadic and
spasmodic. which may be account
ed for by the lack of organization
back of it. It forges ahead in one
state, while in nearby state.
without any apparent dissimilar-
ity in conditions. it will be at a
standstill or actually slipping back.
During the week it burst forth in
West Virginia in something Of a
flame. prominent democratic poll
ticians and newspapers going on
record publicly as favorable to
Hoover's candidacy. Across the
border in Kentucky, according to
a dispatch from Louisville. there
was a decided lull in Hoover talk.
attributed to the continued silence
of the former food administrator.
Among Kentucky democrats Gov.
Cox Of Ohio is said to have made
substantial progress, and the Pal