The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-04-02
LAWRENCE SAYS
I EXPECT ANOTHER
HOOVER MOVE
Statement Paves Way for
Judgment of Republican
Party on Its Merits-Nomi-
nation by Democrats Slight.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Special Correspondent Of The News
Cninnitar

Scimitar.
HS wAs has disclosed april The
Under which he would support the Re-
publican ticket and the circumstances
under which he would accept the presi-
Dental nomination II offered TO him.
This is not a surprise but a logical first
move toward the effective use OF the
: name and personality of Herbert Hoov..
or to crush not merely the professional
'epoliticians in both Republican and
two parties from adopting either an ex;
IRENE reactfonary or extreme radlcai
viewpoint in their respective platforms:
There is another move coming ~
will probably make it clear Just why
Herbert Hoover could not accept
Democratic nomination If offered.
After that may come another STEP
an announcement that the cholce OF
the two political parties do not SATISFY
the liberal thought of the country ana
Willingness to support third ana
independent ticket.
This part of the program is not yet
admitted by Hoover supporters, but IN
the event that the Republican conven-
tion does not adopt "a forward looking,
LIBERAL constructive platform on the
treaty and on our economic issues, or,
II it. fails. to propose measures LOT
country and is either "reactionary''
or radical in it's approach to our great
domestic problems, or, II 1t IS not
backed by men who undoubtedly as
sure the consummation of these poll
cies and measures" Mr. Hoover will
not support the Republican ticket.
He says nobody has a right to die
tate what a party shall do, but an IN
dividual has a right, to say what ticket
Hoover has paved the way for judg-
ment of the Republican convention upon
it's merits and not by reason Of any
previous, obligation to support q party
Nrytkl frtH I1A fc
He is free to accept or reject the Re-
publican platform or nominee 80 far as
his individual support is concerned.
Not a Democrat.
Would that mean the selection Of
Mr.. Hoover a week later by the Demo-
"a cratic. convention at San Francisco?
SHE chances are against it. Mr.. Hoov-
or Is not a Democrat even though. he
supported Mr.. Wilson'S appeal in 1918
for a Democratic congress. He will
apply to the Democratic platform and
nominee the same test he has outlined
for the Republican platform.
!. The Democrats already have been in
4 power for seven years, and those who
are in position to know Herbert Hoov-
er's mind intimately say he is disap-
pointed with the way the Democrats
have administered the government in
competency in high quarters and is I'M
able to understand how the Democrats
have any right to call themselves "for-
P aes OGkV Wilson or b repeady when len
nored not merely the overwhelming
sentiment of the Democrats of the
country expressed to him by Democratic
Chairman Homer Cummings, but the
demand Of nonpartisans that Postmas-
ter-General Burleson be removed from
office.
Another thing, Mr.. Hoover is dry
"a thorough dry. he looks askance
at the wet inclinations OF the Demo
Gratis. Though he. may have. views
upon certain amendments to the Vol
stead act which would make the law
less offensive to individual liberty, he
has not any leanings toward the wet
hibition is a good thing. and that ma
tional efficiency will be promoted by
its enforcement.
Favors Treaty Compromise.
Mr.. Hoovers declarations on the
treaty show that he does not approve
of President Wilson's uncompromisinG
position, and in his letter to Mr.. Greg
ory of San Francisco just made public
the former food administrator prac
tlcally draws himself away from wha
he calls the presidents extreme view
of participation in European affairs"
This Is even more clearly emphasized
in the letter written by Mr.. Hoover IL
Paris a year ago which was "inad
vertently" made public 10 days ago.
Mr.. Hoover Is neither President viii
~, sons choice nor in the good graces o
the White House. He has committed
dhe objectionable sin of differing will
the president on the peace treaty. H,
has been, of course, supported by thu
leading administration newspapers anC
by some influential administration men
But that support has not been of hi
seeking.
a'z Nevertheless, there was keen graft
fication in White House quarters toda,
because of the fact that Herbert Howe
had entered himself in the Republican
primaries of California on the league o
nations issue. This means he will figh
1t out against Hiram Johnson, VIII
wants neither league, nor treaty, no
reservations.
Politically, this part of the Hove
letter is the most important. 1t mean
that Hiram johnson will probably los
in his own home state. For, under Cali
fornia laws, anybody can vote in eithe
Republican or Democratic primarie
without regard to previous affiliatior
SO Democrats can vote for Hoover
combination of Democrats who favo
the league and Republicans who thin
likewise is enough to defeat Hirar
Johnson.
Many Of the supporters of avowe