Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-02-09
HOOVER DEFINES POSITION
ASSERTS HE DOES NOT
SEEK TO BE PRESIDENT
II League Becomes Campaign Issue He
VIII Support That Political
Party.
fly Associatea prrssl

NEW YORK, Feb. S.-Hcrbcrt Hoover
tonight issued a statement defining his
attitude toward tho presidency. He
announced that he is not n candidate
Tor the nomination and that no one Is
authorized to speak for him politically.
If the league of nations is made an
issue in tho election he says he will
vote Tor the party that stands for the
league. In response to requests he
declared allegiance to either ono or the
other OF the great political parties, Mr..
more definitely established what the
party managers stand for and will
exercise a prcrogative of American
lows:
I'm order to answer a large number
or questions all at once. let me empha-
the Industrial conference in Washing
ton to come to Now York solely to at
tend pressing matters in connection
say again: 1 have not sought, and am
not seeking the presidency. am not
I candidate. I have no Organization
NO one is authorized TO speak for me
politically.
Interested In Critical Situation.
AS an American citizen by birth and
OF long ancestry, am naturally deeply
Interested in the present critical situa-
ton. Ally sincere and only political de-
sire IS that ono or both of the great
political parties will approach the vital
issues which have grown out of the
looking to the welfare Of our people
and that candidates capable of carry
ing out this work should DO nominated
idential election with any reservations
necessary to clarity the worlds mind
mat there can be no infringement OF
n e a's ana our GGEss
then L must vote for tho party that
stands for the league. With it, there
is hope not only of the prevention OF
war, but also that we can safely econ
omizc in military policies. There Is
hope OF earlier return OF confidence
and tho economic reconstruction OF tho
world, l could not vote with a party
if it werc dominated by groups who
seek to set aside our constitutional
guarantees for free speech or free rep
and privilege. I could not vote with
party il it were dominated by groups
who hope for any form of socialism
whether it be NATURALIZATION of in
dustry~or other destruction OF individ-
ual initiative. Both these extremes,
in the eoSntrH to eH AZ! Sei:her e Of these
nominations would enable those coun-
tries to have economic policies that
will get us down from the
grew out OF the war, nor would they
secure tho good will to produce in our
FARMERS ana workers or maintain the
initiative OF our business men. Tho
issues look forward, not hack.
Relieves fn Two Parties.
II do not believe in more than two
great parties. Otherwise. combinations
&C groups could, as in Europe, create
q danger of minority rule. I do believe
in party organization to support great
ideals and to carry great issues and
consistent policies. Nor can any one
man dictate the issues of great par
ties. 1t appears to me that the hope
OF IL great majority OF our citizens in
confronting this now period in Amer
lean life IL that the great parties will
take positive stands on tho many issues
that confront us, and will select men
whose character and association. will
guarantee their pledges.
Il am being urged by people in both
parties to declare my allegiance to
ciEAer one OR the other. Those who
know INC know that am able to make
up my mind when subject is clearly
defined. Consequently. until it more
definitely appears what the party man
ayers stand for, must exercise a pre-
rogntive of American citizenship and
decline to pledge my vote blindfolded.
II am not unappreciative of the many
kind things that my friends have ad-
vanced on my behalf. Yet / hope they
will believe my sincerity in not tieing
myself 10 underlined partisanship.'