Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1920-02-09
BRUSHES ASIDE
PARTISAN VIEW
AS UN|MP0RTANT
Only Political Desire Is
to See Candidates Able
to Deal With Vital Is
sues at Hand.
Declines to Pledge Sup
port Until Party Man.
ayers Define Clearly
What They Stand For.

New York, Feb. 8.-Herbert
Hoover has issued a statement
here defining his attitude to-
ward the presidency. He an
nounced that he is not cam
didate for the nomination and
that no one is authorized to
speak for him politically. If the
league of nations is made an is
sue in the election he says he
will vote for the party that
stands for the league.
In response to requests that
he declare allegiance to either
one or the other of the great po-
litical parties, Mr.. Hoover SAYS
he will wait until it more def
nitely appears what the party
managers stand for, land will
exercise a prerogative of Amer
lean citizenship and decline 10
pledge my vote blindfolded."
Not Seeking Presidency.
His statement follows:
IN order TO answer a large number
OF questions all at once Let me emphasize
that | have taken a day off from the
industrial conference in Washington to
come to New York solely to attend 10
pressing matters in connection with the
chlldrenS s relief. | want to say again
have not sought and am not seeking
me presidency am not a candidate,
have no Organization. No one is
To S.r nj1-
AS an American ritizen by birth and
long ancestry. | am natsSaIly deeply in
terested IN the present critical situation
My sincere and only political desire is
that. one or both Of the great political
parties will approach the vital issues
are new with clear viewpoint looking
to the welfare Of our people and that
candidates capable of carrying out this
work should be nominated
He's for the League.
II the treaty goes over to the presi-
dental election with any reservations
necessary to clarity the worlds mind
that there can be no infringement of
the safeguards provided by our constitu-
tion and our nation old traditionsp, then
! must vote for the party that stands
Tor the league. With it there is hope not
only OF the prevention Of war. but also
that We can safely economiZe in military
policies. There is hope of earlier return
or confluence and the economic recon
struetlon Of the world
l could not vote with a party If 1t
were dominated by groups who seek to
set aside our constitutional guarantees
for free speech or free representation:
WHO hope TO re-estahlish control of the
government for profit and privilege. I
could not vote with party if it were
dominated by groups who hope for any
form of socialism. were it to be nation
allzat1on of industry. or other destruction
II individual initiative
Both Extremes Active
Both these extremes, camouflaged or
open, are active enough in the country
oday. Neither of the denominations would
'nahle those constructive economic poll
cles that will get rs down from the un-
sound economic practice which of necess-
ty grew out of the war, nor would thev
'ecure the good will at production in our
armers and workers or maintain the in
tlatlve of our business men. The issues
ook forward not backward.
do not believe in more than two
'artles. Otherwise combinations or
rouPs could, as in Europe. create dan
.er of minority rule. | do not believe in
arfy organization to support great Ideals
~ to carry great issues and consistent
'olieies. Nor can any one man dictate the
ssues of great parties.
Want Positive Stand
Ii appears TO me that the hope Of
reaf majority of our citizens in con
rontlng this new period in American life
) that the great parties will take positive
tands on the many issues that confront
s. aud will select men whose character
nd associations will guarantee their
ledges.
~ am being urged by people III both
artleS to declare my allegiance to either
ne or the Other Those who know me
now that | am able To make up my mind
hen % subject is clearly defined Gonses
uently. until it more definitely appears
hat party managers stand for, ! must
Sercisc perogatiye Of American citizen
hip and decline to pledge my vote hhnq-
oded. Il am not unappreeIatisc Of the
lany kind things that my friends nave
dyanced on my behalf. Yet hope they
ill realize my sincerity IN not tylus
lyseIf to underlined partisanshlp
,rnopr nrriAprn FALSE