The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-05-12
WlLSON-REED CONFAB
AROUSES WASHINGTON
Attempt Of Former President to De.
feat Missouri Senator Attracts
Interest In All Circles.

feat Missouri Senator Attracts
interest in All Circles.
Washington, May I0.-Poitical
Washngtcn--and there is not any
other kind in these primary days
In watching W tn intense interest the
quiet but nevertheless insistent way,
II which Woodrow Wilson is keeping
on the trail Of Senator Jim Reed as
he swings through Missouri seeking
renom nation at the hands Of Mis-
souri, Democrats Three times in as
many weeks now the former Presi-
dent has emerged from his shell TO
strike at his Old opponent by means
/ Of letters to prom ncnt anti-Reed
Missourians.
The first letter eXcoriated Senator
Reed as incapable OF sustained a.
| legiance TO any person or any cause,
the second advised a wouldbe cand.-
date not to complicate the race by
entering II, and the latest missiye de-
scribed Senator Reed as a "marplot"
I In the background Of Mr.. Wilson'S
renewed political activity Is a good
deal more than merely personal dis
ike for the man who as much as
any other one individual caused
the defeat Of the cherished League
Of Nations. Mr. Wilson, according to
certain OF his political intimates, has
decided to make Missouri this year
/ lie testing point OF the sentiment OF
the country toward him. He believes
that the country is no longer in the
mood il was nearly two years ago
when It gave an "anti.Wilson" ma.
jority Of 100000 to Warren g..
| Harding. He believes there has been
a reversal OF sentiment. He deliber.
ately Sc ected Missouri If his init.
mates correctly interpret him, in
order to test out his belief
Missouri was ideal in every respect
for lis purposes border state, poll
tically doubtful although normally
Democratic, and In add ton, it OF.
fered him a tempting opportunity to
even up a score OF eight years stand.
ling with Jim Reed.
Reports that Mr.. Wilson is re.en-
Nering poitical activity in order to be
come a candidate himself IN 1924.
were described today by those who
know him best as pure tommyrot
No such thought has ever entered
| his head, II was stated, Mr.. Wilson is
not politically ambitious for himself
however ambitious he may be for his
policies.
Nor does he seek the active leader
ship Of his party, according 10 his
confdants His health alone precludes
his ever reasserting this leadership
in any active way, but Mr.. Wilson
does be ieye that his two terms in
the VIII te House entitle him TO a
sort OF leader emeritus.
Mr.. Wilson has not forgotten, nor
does he believe Democrats generally
should forget. that 1t was under his
leadership and upon his policies that
the Democratic party achieved two
continuous terms of administration
at a most critical time in the world
history. This alone he believes. On
titles him to be the sage OF the party
il nothing ese. And that. according
TO his friends is all re wants to be
considered,
1t came to light today for the frs
time that Mr.. Wilson's spectacular
break with Joseph p Tumulty, hi.
former secretary was directly LINKED
up with his decision 10 go attel
Jim" Reed.
Certain OF Senator Reed s. support
ers in Missouri with or without aii
consent. conceived the idea tina
II would be exceedingly helpful L
Reed IN his fight for denomination !
he could be assured that Mr. Wilsoi
won d keep hands eli
They even hcped that the forme
President would let y cones be By
cones and perhaps say quiet wor
for Senator Reed.
a Reed emIssary was sent 70 Wasl
ington and he naturally sought a
approach 90 Mir Wilson through hi
former secretary Mr. Tumuty, II
said, promised his efforts In this d
rection and TIE Missourian hurrie
back to Missouri convinced thl
everything was fixed up and tina
Mr.. Wilson. II he did not actua ~ Il
dorse Senator Reed, would at lea'
4 keep hands Off
The story got about In Nilsson
q and several of Mr. Wilson's arder
q supporters, who we're bitterly oppo
& ed to Senator Reed wrote him indi
A nant letters about IT, One Of thes
n letters said Il was uncomfortable
s that Mr.. Wilson could be lending h
support to Senator Reed II was a
Z news to Mr. Wilson tAat he had lei
B his support to his old enemy and !
81 ,.rfth hn - fat