Evening star., 1923-10-15
GOV. P|NCHOT DROPS
SPARK IN POLITICS
Dry Speech Here May Be
Opening of His Campaign
for Presidency.
BY n. o. MESSENGER.

Gov. Pinchots address before the
let loose a food OF political specula-
ton and gossip having to do with
the republican presidential romina-
ton and the possibility OF the Penn
sylvania governor entering himself
as a candidate. Gov. PiIchot has rot
intimated that he has any intention
of contesting the nomination with
President Coolidge.
But at the same time he has not
taken advantage of opportunities pre-
sented to him to declare himself out
of the running. The first impulse of
politicians will be to construe his ac-
tion of yesterday as indicative OF
the probability that he may soon be
an avowed candidate.
In political circles today it was
suggested that he will be forced to
say something pretty soon on account
of the speculation as to his course
which will inevitably follow his di-
rect drive upon President Coolidge in
holding him personally responsible
for better enforcement of the 2rohi-
bition law by federal authorities. II
was argued that he will tin1 himself
in an equivocal position until he de-
cIares himself. one way or another.
The politicians say that once he
steps into the ring the way will be
open for other potential candidates
to follow suit, and that it may be ex-
pected they will promptly start a
back fire against the keystone state
candidate. Senator Johnson, Senator
Borah, Senator Watson of Indiana,
former Gov, Lowden of Illinois and
any other aspiring statesmen may
feel relieved of the tacit understand
ing that President Coolidge should
be allowed Ito make goodS which has
prevailed, and put themselves into
the running.
So the possibilities are considered
ample. for interesting developments
in the political world if Gov. Pinchot
is smoked OUT as a result of the
stand he took yesterday and forced
to declare himself as a candidate for
the nomination.
Right to Dry Issue.
1t was pointed out today that if
Gov. Pinchot is in fact intent upon
becoming a candidate for the nomina-
ton he has not necessarily made a
killing in his pronouncement for en-
forcement of the prohibition law. He
has no monopoly upon that as cam
paign issue. Every other potential
candidate, Immediately upon entering
the field, would declare himself as a
stanch upholder of law enforcement
and would thereby make grab for
Gov. Pinchot's candy. He could not
do anything else and would at once
be, entitled to claim that he had as
rio oh fn that GS Cow
Pinchot.
The suggestion was heard that Gov
Pilchot is foredoomed to fail to real
ize on his pronouncement as per
sonal and private monopoly, and that
even if he could it would not offset
the liability he is bound to carry as
being a citizen of Pennsylvania.
The republican party, 1t was said
does not have to solicit Pennsylvania
vote by giving that state the presi
Dental nomination. The party already
has it totted down in its own column il
the electoral college.
When the republican national con
vention comes to the nomination o
a candidate for the presidency 1t vii
listen to words of political wisdom
from a group of hard-headed elder
statesmen of the party who will talk
into account all political considera
tions, it was said. To be sure, ther'
will be in the convention delegates
elected in the primaries and Gov
Pinchot may be counting on maxim,
| his campaign in the primary states
| but even at that, it was suggested
| how can he expect to claim their vot
on the ground of lay enforcement?
| The principal consideration OF in
| terest at this hour is that the Penn
| sylvania governor In his address c
| yesterday may be said to have start
ted something" in presidential can
didatorial politics.