The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-25
FERRIS IS WING WITH RALSTON IN DEMOCRATIC EYES
Old Leaders of Party Said to Be Unavailable For Nomi- nation to Succeed
 Harding
WASHINGTON BUREAU l
 THE AGE-HERALD ! wwrLtx Dz 0x

Democratic politicians, informally dential candidate for 1924, are pay Ing S M. Ralston and W. N Ferris the tribute of very close attention
 Ralston defeated A. J. Beveridge Indiana and Beveridge was regarded by mary republicans as the man with whom to deprive Warren c. Harding of the nomination in the next conveu- ten. Ferris defeated c. E. Townsend for the Senate in Michigan, redeemed that state from the ''scourge' of Newberryism. and from republican rule which monopolized the senator ship for TO years
 In the opinion of best posted dem ocratic politicians here, there is no question but that these two men. within the next two years, will he subjected to the closest scrutiny. and every possible re-convention test.
 Others Objected To
 While sitting around the stove Of winter these politicians cite objec- tons to every other apparently available democrat.
 They say, often with obvious re- gret Bryan is, of course, impossible: Cox has the handicap of one awful drubbng; McAdoo Is opposed by the business of the country; Underwood is of the far south, Palmer is no longer a national figure; Reed is despised by Wilson; Edwards is too wet" Al Smith is a Tammanyite and Roman Catholic; Glass is southerner. and not we'll enough known: Pomerene and Hitchcock were eliminated November I.
 They also say that Ralston Is too much of a politician. trimmer, and tfat he is under the direction of Tom Taggart: that Ferris is too old and too friendly with labor. At the same time, they apparently regard both as relatively new Richmonds. and as such, entitled to an opportunity to show themselves in Washington.
 RaIston Eligible
 From what can be gathered from these informal but most frequent dis cussions In Washington. Ralston is regarded as eligible because he won in powerful and doubtful state, Indiana. and against the best man the republicans could have brought against him. 1t Is argued that he
 
 dency. and that Indiana, in the dem ocratic column, would be most help. full
 It Is said that Ralston Is not im- pressive in personal appearance. He is constructed on the Grover Cleveland type, but is not so large, or so Formidable" It is said that he is good politician, and having been elected governor, improved an oppor- tunity to be of real service to his pee pie. His friends here do not claim tEat were he elected President, he would startle the nation or the world, but contend that he would | make a good and safe" chief ex- ecutive.
 Wilson For Glass It has been intimated that former President Wilson is inclined to sup port Senator Glass. One of the most astute democratic senators, how ever, entertains an idea that the former President will become deeply attached to Ferris.
 Ferris, while governor of Michigan, became known as the "good gray governor" By settling certain labor disputes he won the support of labor, WI ich aided him materially in his recent fight. While running for the Senate, he did not trim" regarding 1 the League of Nations. Even some southern candidates were not so bold. This has made it's appeal to Wilson, It is known.
 And Ferris was for many years a school teacher. Wilson, it is said. does not believe that fact would initiate against him in his effort | acceptably to serve the people.