Evening star., 1922-09-24
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

l"HE elections In November may
determine more than the po-
i litical complexion Of the next s..t
Congress. and whether. this
man or that is to be governor Of
state. They may determine the eligi-
bility of men now talked Of for the
presidential nominations in 1924. Aor
example, among the prominent demo-
Gratis who may well be listed In a
who's who for President" are Sen
ators Pomerene of Ohio and Hitch
cock Of Nebraska, both of whom are
up for reelection this fall. William
Randolph Hearst is seeking the gov
ernorship Of New York. Senator Reed
of Missouri. who recently won a
great personal victory in his own
state. will make the race for senator
again. and stranger things have hap
pened than his possible candidacy for
the democratic nomination.
The preconvention campaigns for
presidential nominations will b., well
under way in the early spring Of 1924,
less than a year and half off now.
On the republican side OF the fence.
it appears almost a foregone conclu-
sion that President Harding may
have the nomination to succeed him
self If he desires it. Recent letters
sent out by the republican congress
sional campaign committee, asking
for funds, state clearly that the lead
ers Of the party have in mind the
denomination of President Harding.
However, here again the coming con-
gressional elections may have their
bearing. For, should the democrats
win control Of the House, and make
gains in the Senate. the result would
be taken as a reputation Of the
Harding administration. And such a
reputation, might have its effect
| upon the selection of standard
| bearer at the next republican ma
! tional convention.
Some May "Come Back"
The national conventions of 1920 Of
| both parties were of particular in
| terest because of the large number
| Of prominent candidates and the un-
| certainty as to whom the delegates
! would select. President Wilson was
an i'll man and out Of the running,
| even had not the fact he had already
served two terms been barrier to
prevent his denomination. In the re-
publican convention the principal con-
| tenders, outside Of President Harding,
were former Gov. Lowden of Illinois,
| Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood, Senator
Hiram johnson Of California, Secre-
tary Hoover and the late Senator
Knox of Pennsylvania 1t is doubtful
whether Mr.. Lowden will again be
put forward prominently as a can
didate for the nomination. Gen. Wood,
in all probability. wilf have been the
head Of the University of Pennsyl-
vania for some time when the pre-
convention campaigns are on. 1t is
interesting to remember in this con-
nection that not long ago the former
head Of a great university became
President. Senator johnson, it is
for the nomination as the favorite son
of California But his enemies say
that the big inroads which they made
during the recent primaries for the
nomination for United States senator
in California have gone far to
eliminate him as a possible presiden-
tial nominee. However. this remains
to be verified. The Pacific coast. in
all the years of the republic, has
never had a President or a nominee
of one of the major parties for that
Office.
Hughes and Hoover.
It must be remembered. however
that the present Secretary of Com
merce, Mr.. Hoover, halls from
CALIFORNIA; too, and that he has a
great personal popularity in the
country.
At the next republican convention
II Mr.. Harding should not be a
candidate. it may not be possible to
say that Mr.. Hoover has thousands
of friends in the galleries. but no
delegates on the floor. If President
Harding Is again a candidate for the
nomination, it would appear impos-
sible that a member Of his official
family, like Mr.. Hoover or Secretary
Hughes, would permit himself to be
baIloted for. Incidentally, the Sec
retary of State has made remark
liable record for himself in the han
ding of the foreign relations of this
country so far. and that, coming from
the pivotal state Of New York as he
does, it would not be surprising to
see him win the republican nomina-
tion for President in the future, If he
desires 1t.
! Coz and the League.
Tn the democratic national conven-