South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-03-21
WISEACRES VIEW
M ADO0 MOVE AS
SHREWD POLITICS
Political Railbirds Attribute
1924 Aspirations to Will
sons SOn-in.Law.


James NJ Cox i'm the san Francisco
convention. may be moving 10
California because ne loves the eli
mate but ne will have a hard time
convincing tho political railbirds Of
Washington TO that effect.
Almost without exception the po-
litical wlseacrCs Of the capital char
acterIze his sudden change Of resi-
dencc from coast 10 coast as the first
political robin OF 1929. and a fair
warning 20 James NJ. Cox. William
jennings Bryan. John w. Davis. At
lee POmerene, ct al, that the hat OF
W. O is I'm the ring.
There is reason 10 believe. too,
that Mr.. Wilson has not been un-
aware Of his son-in-law's strategic
move. which is nicely timed so 4s to
give him two years residence on the
Pacific coast before the primaries
and nominating convention of 1924
roll around. II is even chatted
about I'm the cloakrooms and lob
bies of the capitol that Mr. Wilson
is not wholly without responsibility
in the matter.
What's Behind Move.
Behind Mr.. McAdoo's move lies
a considerable political tale.
Throughout the uncertain pre-
convention campaign OF 1920, and
even in the tense days at san Fran
cisco Mr.. Wilson sat quietly in the
white house. never indicating by
word or deed whether he was a can
didate TO succeed himself Nor did
ne have anything 20 do with the ef-
forts which were being made i'm some
quarters in behalf Of his son-in-law
II is said he didn't want to sec Nc
Adoo the nominee
Mr.. McAdOo's friends at that time
were just as well satisfied TO have il
so. 1t was a question in the sum-
mer OF 1920 whether the open and
active support OF Mr.. Wilson would
have been an asset or a liability.
In fact. according TO the close
friends Of the former treasury head.
Mr. McAdOo himself was not wildly
enthusiastic about the 1920 nOmina-
ton. He would have run if draft
ed" at san Francisco. feeling that il
was mere or less a family duty but
he was not tearing up heaven and
earth 10 get the job.
The shadows Of a 1000. 900 rvpub-
licau majority were even then be-
ginning to fall athwart the white
house. and Mr. McAdoO real!zed
that "a smashing defeat is not ex
actly a good political asset for tho
future.
Didn't Relish Grown Prince"
There were other reasons. accord
ing 10 those close to him. for his
lack of enthusiasm for the 1920
nomination In thte first place, he
didn't relish being called the crown
prince" as he surely would have
been by anti-Wilson democrats as
well as republicans Also, there was
the very important matter of hi.
personal fortune. Mr.. McAdUo AZ
that time was only lately retired
from tho cabinet and was busiiy en-
gagged I'm building himself up a law
practice TO repair the ravages to
his personal finances caused by some
years i'm the public service
But now. according 10 his friends,
the situation is entirely different.
BY 1924 e is figured that Wilson
ism the chief cry OF 1920. will have
been forgotten. At least Mr. VIII
son will by that time nave bUen so
lcng out of the white house and Mr.
McAdOO so far removed from gov
ernmental affairs that his enemies
can not longer apply the term
crown prince to his presidential
aspirations.
Also, 10 Is understood IN Washing
ton that Mr McAdoo.s personal for
tunes are now such. thanks 10 lucra-
tive law practice that he can In
culge his political tastes 20 any eX-
tent he pleascs
Seen as Political Strategy.
The move 20 California is looked
upon as "a piece Of first-rate political
strategy. aIr. N1cAdoo viii not lose
his strong eastern connections by
his move. and IL is figured he viii
gain some extremely valuable west
ern ones Too much strength with
some eastern democrats does not sit
wei with certain elements OF the
west and south, anyway.
The expectation that the west is
going 90 play q more prom ,nent
part IN political affairs than here
tcfore also enters into the calcula-
tons which the NcAdooitea are
making They believe that the age
long dominance OF national politics
by the big industrial financial east
IS about over and that tho west Is
COINS % make a strong bid for tho
white house within the next decade
California Is am ideal location
from every respect hut principally
c,imaacaIly and politically. While
normally republican. 10 mas been
known 90 stray into the democratic
column. notably on one historic oc-
ccsion In 1915. resulting in a sec
ond term for Woodrow Wilson.
Also 10 is not overlooked that the
removal Of ar. NicAdoo 20 the far
west gives the west a strong ma
toral democratic figure for tho FIRST
time in recent years. The democrats .
appear 90 be making a strategic ,
distribution o. their forces. PERHAPS
for campaign purposes McAdoo Is .
in the west. Bryan has lately re-
moved 20 tho south. Cox is in the +.
saddle On the Ohio belt, and In the /.
east there are always plenty OF
leaders--too many. sometimes
when the hearts fun the tongue
viii speak