The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-05-21
M'COMBS' BOOK MAY
CAUSE SENSATION
AMONG DEMOCRATS
Tells Some Inside Facts of
Party History That May
EmbarrasS Some of
the Leaders
BY HARRY WILSON WALKER

Washington, May -(SpecaL) -W alker
W. Wick, former secretary of the den-
ocratic national committee. has brought
Jews here calculated to make many dem
ocrats quake in their boots. In the cam
paign of 1912 Mr. Wick was the right
hand man of the late William F. Nc
Combs, who was his intimate friend to
the last and helped to bury him. Mr..
Wick told friends that the book of the
political experience of McCombs, which
Mr. McCombs spent the last two
years of his life preparing is soon to be
punished. According to a description OF
the book as given by Mr.. Wick 1t will
create as big a sensation in this country
as did Mrs. Asquith's book in England.
1t will start out with the telegram Mr..
McCombs said he received after Champ
Clark had received majority vote of the
Baltimore convention. from woodrow
Wilson, asking that his name be with
drawn. This Mr.. McCombs refused to
comply with, believing that Wilson still
had chance to be nominated. For this
reason Mr.. McCombs sets up the claim
that he more than Bryan brought Will
sons nomination. The book contains n
chapter about Bryan sending for Mr.
McCombs and informing him that the
convention wanted radical candidate
like him (Bryan) and that neither Clark
or Wilson would be acceptable. Mr.. Nc
Combs replied, Mr.. Bryan, 1 came here
to nominate Woodrow Wilson and | pro-
pose to do 1t, and / am sorry that you
sent for me. l must in loyalty to Gov
ernor Wilson decline to hold any further
conversation
The book will give considerable space
ms to how Governor Marshall was NOM
mated for second place. Bryan used all
his power to prevent 1t as did A. Mitchell
Palmer whom Mr.. McCombs handles
without gloves. 1t has often been assert
ed that Tom Taggert wanted Marshall
out of Indiana and it was for that reason
that Taggart and his friend, Roger Sui
Ivan, went to Wilson because Mr.. Nc
Combs had promised them that Marshall
would be nominated for Vice President.
A great portion of space is devoted to
William G. McAdoo. Some of the refer
ences to that gentleman are fierce. What
Is said Of the former Secretary of the
Treasury Is calculated to open many
wounds, and will be troublesome to those
responsible for the democratic party.
Democrats who have read the manuscript
say that it will compel a new deal in
that party.
Much Is said about B. M. Baruch, with
whom McCombs was not on good terms
for the last few years. The first meet
ing between DR.. Wilson and Mr.. Baruch
was arranged by McCombs at the Plaza
hotel in New York. The Wilson cam
the head was broke" McCombs had
pledged his fortune, and did not see his
way to getting much more money when
he appealed to Baruch, who was trus-
tee with McCombs of the College of the
City of New York. Baruch said that he
had been a contributor to the repub-
licans McCombs kept urging and finally
Baruch consented to meet Governor Will
son. So pleased was he with the COVER
nor that he than and there wrote check
for $4,000. After this McCombs said that
Baruch gave him two checks which he
signed, leaving the amount to be filed in.
They were drawn on the Central Trust
company.
McCombs acknowledges his debt to Mr..
Baruch for bringing about his (Mc-
Combs) nomination for United States
senator in 1916. McCombs and Baruch
rented a handsome house for the racing
season. They invited as their guests
Charles F. Murphy and several Tam
many and upstate leaders. Mr.. Baruch
purchased a race horse which was 40 to
shot and told McCombs' guests to
plunge. They did so and they won $4,000
Colonel House and Joseph P. Tumulty
are not overlooked