The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-08-09
NJ COMBS BOOK
ON WILSON HAS
AMAZED NATION
Political Literature Enriched, Is
the Opinion Of First
InstaIlment.

NEW YORK, Aug. 9.-Pathetic,
tragic, but a most valuable contribu-
tional to political literature. was the
way the first installment Of How
Made Woodrow Wilson President" by
William f. McCombs was described
yesterday. The instalrment, published
in last Sundays New York American
was read with intense interest every
where and was called an amazing
reveal ton.
Many Of those who gave their opin-
ions said it was tragic how Mr.. Nc
Combs had suffered from Wilson after
his great task of nominating him.
Some of the opinions follow:
James Smith, jr., former Senator
from New Jersey
President Wilson's physical and
political misfortunes have closed the
chapter OF his career, and charity
forbids any comment from me on
Mr.. McCombs' interesting auto
biography I must confess. how
ever, a temptation TO discuss some
of the statements in the first install
ment OF the book as published in yes
terday's New York American.
unkind to Mr.. McCombs and others,
and | believe that his ingratitude
and unkindness have reacted to his
own unhappiness and undoing."
Charles +. Murphy, Leader Of
Tammany Hall:
Pressure Of engagements has
made it impossible to finish reading
the first instruments Of the Nc
La "a,,tnhfn0ranhV have
it aside and shall devote an evening
to it as soon as possible. From a
hasty glance. l know il to be alb
sorbing. want the whole story
and shall await the complete book
with great anxiety
Congressman Daniel j. Riordan,
Tammany Democrat:
"McCombs got a raw deal. Near
ly every regular fellow except my
self got the same deal from Presi-
dent Wilson. / once told him. They
say you are "A wonderful man. |
should say you were a wonderful
fellow. But you are the poorest
politician Il ever. met The Presi.
dent did not resent this.
There were plenty of Iother Nc
Combses. How l happened to es-
cape is beyond me-"
PRESIDENT JOnn IL. hienie, Ma
tiOnal Democratic Club:
THE McCombs story Is a thrill
err. President Wilson was very I'M
fortunate in his appointments. His
selection of Byron r. Newton. for
instance, as collector Of the port
OF New York, cost him many
friends"
George w. Aldridge, collector Of
the port Of New York:
IT was as gripped as ] would
be by the best detective story I
ever read. The more ] read the
more ! wanted the whole story. 1t
is a most valuable contribution
to political literature. I want the
book as soon as I can get it,"
Chairman Richard w. Lawrence of
the Bronx county Republican com
mittee:
ct was indeed revelation. even
to those who have followed poll
tics closely. The story is a hum
dinger. l hope the New York
American will publish more and
more. for ones appetite is whetted
by the first installment."
Thomas s.. Smith, secretary Of
Tammany Hall:
Most OF the story was familiar
to me. Much of it, however. was
brand new. ] knew Chairman Nc
Combs intimately. He accomplished
an Herculean task in nominating
and electing Woodrow Wilson Presi-
dent. We all know what he got
for 1t. He suffered intensely men.
tally and physically because OF his
treatment. His story is indeed pa
thetic and tragic. 1t should ap-
peal to any one concerned about
and It's leaders. Politics is n thank
less game. But many grateful me,.
are still in it,"
Chairman Jacob A. Livingston.
Kings county Republican executive
committee:
lngratitude in politics is a habit
with some leaders. Some seem to
regard 1t as great American at
tribute. / do not. The McCorbs