New-York tribune., 1922-12-17
Bryan Silently
Casts EyeOver
Political Ring
Cloakcd Figure of Som
moner" at Capital Causes
Cossips to Speculate Over
Presidential Candidacy
influence Still Great
If Nebraskan Cannot Be
King He Would BE King
Maker, Washington Hears

Prom The Trtoune's wdshta0toz Bvrsaa
WASHINGTON.
The shadow Of Colonel william Jen-
nlngs Bryan. three times Democratic
candidate for President and Secretary
OF State In tho early years Of the VIII
son Administration. fell athwart the
corridors Of the Capitol last week.
The colonel was strlkingly nrrayed.
With his military cape flying over his
shoulders. Though when Secretary Of
State he caused lot Of the weapons
Of war TO be beaten into plowshares,
which he gave away TO his friends, he
still elIngs TO tho raiment Of war In
the form Of his we'll known military
garment, showing, perhaps, that the
colonels nature Is not so peaceful and
pacific as he would like 70 have the
world believe.
In the Hobbies Of the Senate and
House Colonel Bryan held an i'm
promptu reception. Many Senators and
House members and old political
friends. likewise some old political enc
mics, came up 10 greet him and shake
hands with him.
Tho advent Of the "cOmmOnsr" 20
Washington, especially with n remark
able election Just passed, a remarkable
session Of Congress on and a Presi-
Dental campaign rot far in the osing.
has inevitably stirred a food Of gOs-
sip and speculation as to what lies
back OF his visit and his activity in
behalf OF certain measures Of legisla-
tion.
Colonel Bryan Keeps Silent
Naturally, Colonel Bryan IS not tell
ing everybody what is in the back Of
his mind as to the political future.
In spite Of his frankness in some re-
spects, he Is not entirely without ca
pacity and disposition at times to
fashion smoke screens over his pur-
poses.
The impression left here, however,
by Colonel Bryan's visit Is that the
thing most remote from his purpose Is
to remain in the background either in
the Presidential campaign Of 1924 or In
the prelimiharies leading up TO ii.
In spite Of the fierce storms Of many
political battles which have broken
over him, Colonel Bryan.is still strong
and vigorous. The years touch him
lightly. He has remarkably few gray
hairs, and there are few men in the
country to-day more capable than he
Of going through a grilling campaign
on stump and train-end and coming
through 1t little the worse for wear.
As viewed in Washington, Colonel
Bryan, always a receptive candidate
for the Democratic Presidential nom
ination himself. purposes in 1924 to
have a large voice in the selection Of
the Democratic nominee for President.
II he cannot be the king, he wants to
be the king maker. In spite Of his
troubles in the ofice Of Secretary Of
State, one Of the greatest triumphs Of
his career. as he we'll knows. was in
forcing the nomination Of Woodrow
Wilson at Baltimore. lie tried to re-
peat this at San Francisco In 1920 and
failed, but his friends say he intends, If
possible, to be a large factor in the Sc
lection Of the next Democratic candi-
date fer President, even IL he does not
become an avowed candidate himself.
Colonel Bryan while here expressed
the utmost interest in the direct cleo
tion of President and viee-President.
He wants tho Constitution amended
so as to bring this about and would
have the vote by districts. Like Sen
ator Norris, he would prefer 10 see the
Electoral College abolished, though he
Is not so pronounced for this as SEN
ator Norris. Senator Norris wants the
Electoral College abolished because he
sees that this would make II easily pos
sible for an independent or third party
candidate TO run for President The
fact Mr.. Bryan wants the direct vote
and the direct primary, but is rather
lukewarm about abolishing the Elec-
toral College. is taken as a sign that
he has no intention in the near future
Of Joining a third party movement and
will adhere TO the Democratic party
until he sees the third party move
ment we'll and strongly established.
Senate Shut to Nebraskan
The former Secretary Of State would
like TO be a member Of the Senate. but
that forum seems closed to him, at
least for many years. lie failed to
make headway in bis effort to become
Senator from Florida 20 succeed SEN
ator Trammell. Both Senator Fletcher
and Senator Trammell, Of Florida, Mr.
Bryan's legal residence, have long
terms Of service ahead, 30 that the
prospects for entering the Senate from
Florida are not good. Colonel Bryan