New-York tribune., 1921-09-27
% the Edttoy Of The Ne,y Yorls rtmes !:

~ s"e Eotof az 1He NeD YORK TIMES:
In recent editorial article, Bryan
In Baltimore" you refer to the instas-
rcnt OF Mr.. McCombss Memoirs in
which he relates an alleged conversation
between himself and william Jennings
Bryan purporting to haye taken place
during the 1912 Democratic Convention
lie makes Mr.. Bryan say to him that
:" Wilson cannot be nominated" and to
suggest that he. McCon5s. turn his
forces to some progressive, nan,ing him
self.
You state, in your article that unless
Mr.. McCombs can be impcached. or the
matter In some way cleared. the issue
raised Is one which the future bioRSSs
pher of Mr.. Bryan cannot ignore Z;
are correct, but fortunatelxasSss5SS ssyssd
necessary to delay this fessssaSzSFG Gaggsbtssat
important WORK. d4s ssS5 ssrtakc
to speculate saeSm for the
Mccombs statsgs gscnly say 1t is
untrue. AaagSS S6SssSf men who were
closelX s6 Bryah's councils at
th9,e &gs~ that having no such
1She, Of course. had no such com
y@fion. and /. for one. am In posi-
1nis statement attributed to Mr.. Nc
Combs 50 entirely without foundation.
Mr.. Bryan at no time sought or desired
that nomination. He persistently dis
couraged the suggestion by friends who
urged that 1t was appropriate and logi-
cal. and absolutely refused 10 consider it,
l have enjoyed an. Intimately friendly
relation with him and his confidence
since 1906. The year prior to his first
nomination. He has been many times a
visitor at my home, and has done me
throughout these years intervening. such
personal interest as he has had In party
affairs and incidentally his estimate OF
the character, fitness and availability OF
other party leaders. Several months be-
fore the Baltimore convention. on an
occasion when he was q guest Of mine
in Dallas, Texas. while referring to the
apparent prospect that there would be q
split in the Republican Party that year.
and the probability that whoever the
Democrats nominated would be elected.
urged that he permit his friends to CO.
operate with him In the matter qNcrsan-
izing In the interests Of his mol i&atton.
pointed out that in 1906 tho $dseland
detection had defeated him. thai IL 1900
the war with Spain and Ro3seAelt' s
popularity had made his electiont IND pos
sible. and that since he had threa tHhes
led the forlorn hope with unparalleled
force and briliancy he was entitled 70
the then opportunity ~ become Presi- E
dent. {;
His reply was char9E.aNstic OF ths
patriot that he is. We Nalone. an4
turning to mo he said: NM
" 1t does not matter so rniNIHE&E holds
tho offices. The importaN %$S&s -
we secure the reforms for<AlafV$ fsas s
lobored, and we are securih TIN EffiS
year both parties Will deSSsS
trusts this year both passiss C.
for election Of United Statcs &sssS
direct vote of the peesa zs
ceeded to namc>>other sTcH
enpha<tzing< each Of them ana the ~. ~.
s<~tollectSsly. Ne ANahc in that coH-
ysratisfhat hcaI va either expect
e. yn to be noia y the ap-
pgoAping convcntionA Van 4
4 #sceded him byNseGr days ~
sB&tihdye and saw him ~ in
AMs AMsSApAeS4nce drIy OF his AroSlh7 and
AA&iS epc orr Stwo other ciA yends,
ammediatefx upon his arrival Hhe Bel
4pderc HotAA urged agaN fhe same
Wews above etailcd. stavHg that. as
Easaw the situation. onk yhird of the
Ssegates came to work his nomlna-