The Washington herald., 1920-05-24
W.. G. McAdoo Boom on
! Doorstep Of Tamma1y,
Question of What Will be Done About It
Puzzles His Backers- Spirit
Of Party Mixed.

success of the governor in his State
primaries. The opinion Is growing
that the Penrose declaration was a
device. to gain time, and to'hold his
organization together. A New York
Republican. influential In his State
organization, said to me today:
Gov. Sproul Is today probably more
powerful In Pennsylvania than Sen.
ator Penrose. though he has no in
clination to put his power to the
test. He has that notable strength
which accrues to the public man
who Is coming up, over the one who
has seen his best days. Free from
the record of entangling alliance
with big business that hurts both
Penrose aud Knox in States other
than Pennsylvania, he has yet
business record that will meet the
demand sure to be set up in this
campaign. In appearance he looks
the President, and in ability and
experience is thoroughly adequate
have nothing to explain on any of
the issues of this campaign.
think 1t was one of the evidences OF
astuteness that. W. J. Bryan has
given that nearly two years ago
he told people to look out for
Sproul as a coming man. Men
laughed then; they are more re-
spectful now. and I think 1t isa
fair guess that after the convention
they may be shouting for him"
Batler's Friends Active.
Nicholas Murray Butler. too. has
enjoyed a sort of political rebIrtn
In the face of the savage struggle
of the leaders. A fewsdays ago he
put forth sort of platform of his
own views which has won wide ap-
plauses In 1t was an expression OF
desire for the liberalizing of the
Volstead lawI which does not please
the Republican leaders who wanted
to keep that issue wholly out of
their party discussions. But 1t has
helped to give individuality to the
Butler creed, and furthermore, 1t.
may have been intended somewhat
to onset the fact that he is a coll
lege president-a brand of politi-
clan much in disfavdr at present.
The spectacle of one of this calling
herding with the vets produces a
sort OF Democratic effect that goe,
far to offset the dreadful charge
of being a highbrow.
But IL what is to be done at the
determine Democratic action, is not
what Is being done in the world of
Industry and business likely to die
tate the action of both parties.
lndustrially and economically the
country is moving fast and never
with such celerity as In the las,
week. The people are in no MOOD
TO have the questions which are SO
vitality affecting their daily lives
treated merely ACCIDENTALLY. in the
gatherings that are to choose the
governing powers for the next four
years. Labor and wages. prices.
finance, taxation, the railroads, have
assumed an every day Importance
which has not long been recognized
by the masses. 1t is not probable
that the time-honored practice of
CLOSING over vital issues with am
biguous utterances-like the IA
nous Indiana plank-will serve
acceptable merely because he has
done nothing to which exception
might be taken.
Menace to Republicans.
1t is unfortunately true that
nominating conventions do not al
ways reflect. nor are they fmme-
diately responsive to public senti-
ment. They are in the hands of
politicians and politicians are slow
to learn new lessons. For this rea-
son the present situation Is not
without menace to the Republicans
despite the superficial appearance
Of strength in their position. They
are to meet first. The Democrats
will have the advantage of observ-
ing the public reaction to the Re
publican program. II that reac-
tion is distinctly unfavorable the
lateT convention will be able to
| profit by its adversary's blunder
For this reason 1t behooves the
powers at Chicago to study public
sentiment assiduously IL they hope
| for success.