The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-07-07
POMERENE TO
CARRY BANNER
OF DEMOCRATS
Looms as Nominee for Next
Presidency Ohio Senator
Strong as Middle Ground
Leader.
HINGES ON FALL RACE
Rr MARK SULLIVAN


WASHINGTON, July There was
more than a mere exchange of pleas
antries in that senate passage in which
Senator Atlee Pomerene, of Ohio, was
named as the possible Democratic can
didate for the next presidency. In
fact, If the two senators who pa-tici-
pated, Shortridge of California, Repub-
lican, and Ashurst of Arizona, Demo
crat, were guileful men, you might
suspect that this apparently spontane-
Gus emergence of Pomerene's name in
the course of tariff debate had been
carefully staged in advance.
Such devices are not unknown in
politics. There are many senators
who see much earlier than the public
does the possibilities for Pomercne in
herent in the present political situa-
ton. and it was inevitable that sooner
or later some way would be found of
putting Pomerene's name out as a
trial balloon to see how the public re-
acted upon it, even Republican SEN
ators who hope that Harding will be
the next president are eager to further
the project of having one of their fell
low senators get the Democratic NOM
nation
Substantial Basis
The Pomerene suggestion rests on a
substantial foundation in the present
lay of the cards. He is the one Dem
ocratic senator from Ohio. He is a
candidate for reelection this fall II
he wins-and everything hangs on this
of course-he will leap into prestige as
he h. Aor sNl l1y,
Harding's own state against the pres
ident's own party. Thereafter the first
event will be comparisons between
Pomerene and Cox, invidious to the
latter.
1t will be said that whereas Cox
failed to carry Ohio against Harding
and the Republicans, Pomerene, on
the other hand, succeeded Within
the Democratic organization there will
follow contest between partisans OF
the states two Democratic favorite
sons as to which should have the
Ohio delegation at the next Democrat
ic national convention This contest
because of the comparison mentioned
already, would favor Pomerene obvi-
ously.
Will be Strong
Further than this, the prestige of hav.
ing won Democratic victory in Hard
ings own pivotal state of Ohio will
give political weight to Pomerene
Within 10 days after the election nexr
November, assuming, as all this as
sumes, that Pomerene wins, his name
will be the center of political specula
tion within the Democratic field.
On broader grounds, Pomerene will
o in In he
Democratic national convention tho
radical strength will be divided be
tween Ford and Hearst McAdoo
with his following of railroad labol
and some progressive elements. vii
occupy what may be called the near
radical ground. AT the other end o
the field, Underwood or some simila
man will have the conseryativ,
strength. Cox will be automaticall!
blanketed by the conditions alread!
mentioned. In the entire Democratic
field Pomerene will be nearest to tbs
middle ground and most likely benefi
ciary of compromise.
Rests on Election
II must be understood clearly tina
all this rests wholly on the assump
tion that Pomerene wins the Ohit
election this fall. To a certain eS
tent this pointing out to the Obi
voters the rosy prospects that nigh
follow if Pomerene wins is designet
actually to help him win. Ohio ha
the Republican nomination for tn
next presidency assured. To enlis
state pride in project for getting tn
Democratic nomination also is de
cided help toward Democratic victor
in the state this fall.
Against all this it should be sal
that if Pomerene loses in Ohio in Nc
vember he will be dead duck. in
! deed. In that event, Cox will contir
ue as the favorite son of the Obi
Democrats and will continue also i
his present democratic leadership i
the nation-(Copyright 1922, by tn
New York Evening Post, Inc)