, 1920-03-11
Mr.. Wilson Eliminates Himself
From the Race for the Demo-
cratic Nomination.
PALMER IS after THE PRIZE.
Various Attacks on the Prohibition
Amendment m the voIstead Law
Supreme Court Puts o. X. on
Steel Trust-Peace and War
Moves In Europe.
By EDWARD w. PIcKARp.

President Wilson got out twice last
week. For the first time in five months
he was taken out for an automobile
ride, surprising all who saw him by his
robust physical appearance and glee-
fully exchanging greetings with the
people of Washington. Two days
earlier he took himself out of the race
for the Democratic nomination for the
presidency. This Iong-awaited event
occurred Monday after William G.. Nc
AdoO had a confidential talk with his
father-in-law. The news of the con-
ference was speedily communicated to
Attorney General Palmer and he, in
turn, got into touch with Mr.. Wilson
through his adherents in the White
House. The president let Mr.. Palmer
know he had told Mr.. McAdoo he
would not be a candidate for renomi-
nation, and also ave express permits
sion to the attorney general to an
nounce his own candidacy. Mr.. Pal
mer lost no time, telegraphing author
ity to file his petition in Georgia, where
Tom Watson and former Senator
Hardwick are boosting Senator Reed
as an anti-administration candidate.
Palmer hopes to rally the administra-
ton forces there to his support and
believes McAdoO can scarcely afford to
split them by entering the contest in
that state. The president let 1t be
known that he will keep his hands Off
the pre-convention campaign, not IA
voring McAdoo, Palmer or Hoover. any
one of whom presumably would be a
nominee satisfactory to him.
Mr.. Palmer, according to his spokes-
man, stands with the president on the
question of the treaty and League Of
Nations and is willing to make that an
issue of the campaign. He Is against
universal military training because he
thinks the League of Nations will
make 1t unnecessary. He holds that
the Sherman antitrust law must be
modified. He favors the enforcement
of the prohibition law and does o be-
lieve 1t will be a real issue in the cam
paign. Despite the fact that he Is a
dry, one of his chief lieutenants will
be former Congressman Carlin Of Vir-
ginia, a leader of the vets.
Which brings us neatly to considera-
ton of the late John Barleycorn and
the rumblings from his grave which
are causing perturbation among the
drys and also among many of the
politicians. The first Of these ominous
noises last week was the decision Of
Federal Judge Geiger at Milwaukee
l~egalizing the manufacture and sale of
20 per rent beer in Wisconsin on the
ground that each state has the SOW
ereign right and police power to fix It's
own standard as to what constitutes
an intoxicating beverage. The prohi-
billion amendment providing for con-
current power Of congress and the sew
eral states to enforce the amendment,
ton In the matter could not be over
turned by an act Of congress; he
found section /, title 2 Of the Volstead
act unconstitutional.
New Jerseys legislature got into ac-
ton the same day, and after an excit-
ing debate the senate passed the house
bin legalizing the manufacture, sale
and transportation of beverages con-
tanning not more than 3.5 per cent al
cohol by volume. In order to avoid COM
plications the Measure was altered 70
that 1t does not 60 into effect until the
termination Of the state Of war with
Germany, and severe penalties were
fixed for Its violation. In this shape
1t was signed by Governor Edwards,
who issued a statement that he ap-
proved IL not because he was against