The Washington times., 1922-03-19
Wiseacres Believe Former
Secretary Will Be First
Robin Of 1924.
"HE LIKES THE CLIMATE"
Friends Appreciate Strategic
Position and Believe He
Has Good Chance.
By GEORGE R. HOLMES.
International News Service.

EI4uClBCO COuVcHtiOiis may NC INV
lng to California because he loves
the climate, but he will have q hard
time convincing the political rail
birds Of Washington to that effect.
Almost without exception the
bolitical wiseacres Of the Capital
characterize his sudden change OF
residence from coast to coast as the
first political robin Of 1924, and q
fair warning to James M. Cox,
William Jennings Bryan, John w.
Davis, Atlee Pomerene, ct al. that
he hat Of w. G. is in the ring.
= Move Nicely Timed.
There is reason TO believe, too,
that Mr.. Wilson has not been un.
aware OF his son-in-law's strategic
move, which is nicely timed 80 as
20 give him two years residence on
the Pacific coast before the pri-
i1aries and nominating convention
&c 1884 roll round. II Is even
hated about in the cloakrOoms
I nd Hobbies Of the Capitol that Mr..
wilson is not wholly without respon-
.;bility in the matter.
Behind Mr.. McAdoo's move lies q
considerable political tale.
Throughout the uncertain pre-
convention campaign Of 1920. and
even in the tense days at San
Francisco Mr.. Wilson sat quietly
In the White House. never indi-
: lting by word or deed whether
s., was a candidate to succeed him
s II. Nor did he have anything to
Ii with the frantic efforts which
rsre being made in some quarters
"a behalf of his son-in-law. 1t 10
lid he didn't want to see McAdoo
me nominee.
Not Enthusiastic Then.
Mr.. McAdoo's friends at that time
: ere just as wells satisfied to have
4 SO. 1t was a question in the
lmmer of 1920 whether the open
and active support of Mr.. Wilson
rould have been an asset, or q
Elbility.
I'm fact. according to the close
3lends of the former Treasury
head, Mr.. McAdoo himself was not
Eddy enthusiastic about the 1920
Elimination. He would have run IL
.alrafted" at San Francisco, feeling
1 at 1t was more or less u family
: lty, but he was not tearing up
: ;aven and earth to get the job.
!. The shadows Of 100000 Repub-
4 an majority were even then be-
/. ming to fall athwart the White
: ouse. and Mr.. McAdoo realized
{ at a smashing defeat is not
, !actly a good political asset for the
lure.
Didn't Relish "Crown Prince"
There were other reasons, accord
Eg to those close to him, for his
* of enthusiasm for the 1920 nofn-
alton. In the first place, he
dn't relish being called 1.-THE
own prince" as he surely would
i've been by anti-Wilson Democrats
p, well as Republicans. Also, there
as the very important reason of
Us personal fortunes. Mr.. McAdoo
s. that time was only lately retired
{ ON the Cabinet and was busily
gagged in building himself up a
w practice to repair the ravages
his personal finances caused by
.ome years In the public service.
But now, according to his friends,
he situation is. entirely different.
BY 1924 II is figured that "Wil-
tonism." the chief cry OF 1920, will
lave been forgotten. At least Mr..
Wilson will by that time have been
so long out of the White House
md Mr.. McAdoo so far removed
rom governmental affairs and con-
act with his father-in-law that his
,nemies can no longer apply the
serm Grown Prince" to his Presi-
lential aspirations.
Also, IL Is understood in WASH
lhgton that Mr.. McAdoo's personal
fortunes are now such, thaiaks to
urcative law practice, that he can
indulge In his political tastes to
any extent he pleases.
Seen as Political Strategy.
The move to California Is looked
upon as a piece of first-rate politi-
cal strategy. Mr.. McAdoo will not
lose his strong Eastern connections
by his move, and II is figured he
will gain some extremely valuable
Western ones. Too much strength
with some Eastern Democrats does
not sit well with certain elements
OF the West and South, anyway.
The expectation that the West is
going to play a more prominent
part in political affairs than hereto
/. fore also enters into the calcutta
tions which the McAdooites are
making. They believe that the age
long dominance Of national politics
by the big Industrial financial East
Is about over and that the West Ia
going to make strong bid for the
White House within the next dec
ade. -t
Gives West Strong" Chance.
California Ia an ideal location
from every respect, but principally
dramatically and politically. While
normally Republican It has been
known to stray into the Democrats
column, notably on one historic &c
casion In 1915. resulting In a second
term for Woodrow Wilson.
Also. IL is not overlooked that the
kmoval of Mr.. McAdoo to the Far
West gives the West strong ma
tional Democratic figure for the
first time In recent years. The
Democrats appear to be making a
strategic distribution of their forces,
perhaps for campaign purposes. Nc
Adoo is In the West, Bryan has
lately removed to the South, Cor
" In the saddle In the Ohio belt,
and In the East there are always
plenty OF leaders-too many some
times.