The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-01
HAND-P P|CK|NG" IF MAN F0R COOLIDGE
 PLACE |S NOW 0N
Republicans Hope to PIacate Progressives With Their
 Candidate
WASHINGTON BUREAU
 THE ERALD WaShfngton. D. C.. March 31

The republican leaders are anxious to "hand-pick" vice presidential candidate who would not necessarily strengthen the ticket, but would elin- mate the possibility of third or ganization.
 To the republican leaders, Calvin Coolidg of Massachusetts. regarded a "reactionary" by President Harding. is entirely satisfactory. It Is held by them, however, that If Harding and Coolidge arc the offering In 1924, the ''progressives" and radicals will insist on foisting upon the public ticket of their own. Repub- lican leaders hold that a third ticket In the field. of whatever "color" or object, would result in the defeat Of the republican candidate and the election of the democratic.
 Republican leaders would be glad to nominate William E. Borah or Hiram Johnson. It is regarded as certain. however. that neither or these senators would accept.
 Copeland Mentioned.
 The most widely discussed vice presidential possibility among demo- crats is Senator-elect Royal s. Cope land of New York. He Is declared to be an able man, very clean" in his political life, and great vote getter. He was born in Michigan, and 1t is argued would strengthen the demo- cratic ticket whether the nominee for president be Senator Underwood or William G. McAdoo. or any other man.
 An interesting report today Is that Senator LaFollette. were he to con clude to make the race independently which is said to be probable, would urge Representative George Huddle- ston, or the Ninth Alabama district, to accept second place. Mir. Huddle- ston was Senator LaFollette's right hand man in the organization of the so-calied "progtessive" bloc in Con- gress. and Is identified with Senator LaFollette's Peoples Legislative Ser vice." an organization formed to se- cure legislation regarded as valuable to the masses"
 WOULD IGNORE LIQUOR Democratic leaders. having con suited here. reached conclusion that 1t would be wise to inform the coun- try at the present time that there will be no wet" plank in the plat form to be adopted next summer.
 Action to that effect was taken because of obvious attempts on the part of republican strategists to lino up the democratic party with the wet" orgsplyation.
 It may b4 stated as fact that it is the hope of leaders to avoid the liquor question when consideration of platform is under way. It was at the suggestion of Woodrow Wilson though over the objection of William J. Bryan--that the liquor question was ignored in 1920
 If it becomes necessary for the democratic party to express itself In reference to the liquor situation, 1t is the determination of party leaders to write into the platform plank declaring for law observance and en- forcement within the restrictions of the constitution" That latter phrase would represent the position of the party with respect to the sanctity of the home against unauthorizet search and seizure.
 The nti-Saloon league is appar- ently anxious to make prohibition an issue. Wayne B. Wheeler, general counsel of that organization, has al- ready propounded this query to cer- tain prospective presidential candi- dates:
 Would you veto 2.75 per cent beer bille"
 There Is no indication. however that the Anti-Saloon league will have candidate of It's own. It is indi- cated. on the contrary, that in neither convention will any man allied with the militant dry" organization bt given consideration unless Mir. Bryan Is able to inject his own candidacy.