Omaha daily bee., 1922-05-01

Neutral in
Harding Adopts "Iiands OFF,
Policy in Home State Where
Hot Political Fight
Is Brewing.
Recalls Former Tangle
BY GRAFTON S. WILCOX.
Omaha Nee Leased MIre.

Washington. April S0.-president
Harding is keeping his hands oil y
the no, political fight brewing ~
Ohio. his home state, among his own
republican friends ior the senatorial
and gubernatoral nominations,
The presiden, admits to his nil-
mate associates that il is dhienl,
matter for him 10 have to sit on the
side lines with the lively contests
that arc coming at homo Tor the big
political plums. but he has neees-
sarily declared himself neutral. NOT
only in Ohio, but in all other states
where lively scrambles are ensuing
ior senatorial nominations. 4
The presiden, has recently been
bcsieged by party leaders in several
states TO say good word tor some
candidate known 10 be his personal
friend. He has positively declined
every request. Not only will he re-
main neutral as between republican
contestants in-his own state and ~
republican senatorial primaries else
where, bu, he is not even going 10
make a general appeal for republi
can success in the forthcoming con-
gressional election.
Recalls Recent Instance.
Mr.. Harding wildly recalls what
happened to recent president who
issued an appeal 10 the people OF the
country to elect democratic con
gress which would support his sd-
minis,ration. Mr.. Harding has let
it be known that he prefers to have
the people render a verdict on his
administration. without any solicita-
ton or coaching from him.
To group OF friends recently the
president said that the president Of
the United States has no busines,
taking an active part in the senator.
ial contest "of any state in the union,
not even my own state" He said
he had enough to do to look artcr
the executive affairs OF the govern
mcnt.
From Ohio, of course, the pressure
upon Mr.. Harding has been much
greater than from any other state.
He has let it be known, however,
that he will have nothing to say until
the primary contest is over. Then.
of course. the nominees will have
the benefit of his personal advice
and counsel.
Hot Scrap in Ohio.
The intensity of the republican
contest in Ohio is to be increased ty
the expected announcement OF Wa
ter F. Brown of Toledo as a cand,-
date for United States senator
against Representative Simeon D
Fess of Yellow Creek. chairman of
the republican congressional conf
mittee. Mr.. Brown who is in Wash
ington as ex-officio chairman of the
joint congressional committee on re-
organization of executive depart
ments, and Mr.. Fcss are we'll known
in the state Both are close follow
ers of Mr.. Harding.
The senatorial situation has been
cleared to some extent by the an
nouncement of Representative Theo-
dore E. Burton of Cleveland, for
merry member of the senate, that
he would not be a candidate. It is
expected Mr.. Burton will throw his
support to Mr.. Brown.
Pomerene to Run.
Senator Pomerene will be a can
didate for denomination on the dem
ocratic side. He will not be oppos-
ed in the primaries. SO that the only
democratic contest will be over the
governorship. Efforts are being
made by the democratic organization
to induce Judson G. Harmon, for
merly governor and contender for
the democratic presidential nomina-
ton i'll 1912. to make the race again,
in which event Hugh L. Nichols
would run for lieutenant governor.
Mr., Harmon, being 70 years old
does not want to run, but he is be-
ing urged to do so on the ground
that he would carry the state.
The only avowed candidate :s A.
V. Donahey of New Philadelphia.
who ran on the democratic ticket for
governor i'll 1920. If Mr.. Harmon
does not become a candidate it is
Mr.. Donahey will be oppos-
Cd whether by Mr. Nichols or by
George White. until recently chair
man Of the democratic national COM
mittee.
C1 cx.I n