The Colorado statesman., 1923-06-23
FORD BOOM STIRS
GREAT INTEREST
BOTH REPUBLICAN AND DEMO-
CRATIC MANAGERS ARE
RATHER AGITATED.
HEARST'S SUPPORT EXPECTED
Old Party Leaders Agree That the
Automobile Manufacturers Best
Chance for Nomination viii Come
From a Third Party.
BY EDWARD q. CLARK

Washington.-For some days there
has been agitation on the face Of the
party waters In Washington. Demo-
Gratis and Republicans are wondering
whether the Henry Ford breeze which
has rufrled the water Is only passing
zephyr or whether 1t is to gain the
force Of wind of popular sentiment
and blow the motor man through the
open doorway into the White House.
This Ford boom is giving trouble to
the managers of both parties. What
effect 1t Is having on the rank and
file Of Democracy and Republicanism
is not yet known definitely. Members
Of both parties are attempting to read
the signs of the times.
Col. Edward M. House started for
Europe the other day. He was just
about to mount the boarding plank of
the steamer when he was interviewed
on politics. He said 1t was altogether
too early TO get excited over anything
political, "for 1t Is long time until
the convention date"
Hardly had this ordinarily accounted
astute politician sailed before the Ford
politicians call a menacing aspect and
what others call smiling aspect. At
this writing it would seem that the
politicians expect William Randolph
Hearst to support the Ford movement
with all the influences, printed or
otherwise, at his command.
What Old Party Leaders Say.
The Republican managers are inter
ested in the Ford manifestation not
because they think 1t in any way
humanity possible that Mr.. Ford can
secure Republican nomination for
the presidency, but because they do
not know how much strength he could
draw from the Republican ranks If he
should by any chance become nom
inee of the Democrats, or perhaps by
greater chance become the nominee of
third party.
Democratic leaders have said that 1t
is impossible that Henry Ford can
be the nominee of their party. Some
of them have said that while he might
have great backing in the conven-
tion, 1t would not be sufficient to give
him the nomination for 1t requires a
two-thirds vote In the Democratic con-
vention to give the nomination to any
body, and that while Mr.. Ford might
possibly make great showing. 1t
would be within the power of the dele
gates of the "old faith of Democracy"
to prevent him from being named.
1t is hard to tell from the present
fermentation of things, marked as they
are, just how much solidity and CO.
hesion is back of what, for lack Of
newer and better word, must be called
TIE Ford boom. Three Democrats of
note, not one of whom is favorable to
the nomination of Mr.. Ford, have said
that tho Detroit man can secure the
Democratic delegates in the conven-
ton from every southern state except
Alabama They declare that his
strength in the country districts will
give him this backing. They add that
he can get blocks of delegates from
some of the middle western and north
western states, and that he will be
formidable and dangerous rival in the
convention, no matter how prominent
nor how seemingly strong the candl-
dates may be who are to strive with
him for the nomination.
His Third Party Chances.
Seemingly as Washington looks at 1t
today the chief chance of Henry
Fords nomination for the presidency
lies in the possibility or probability of
n formation of third party. If such a
thing as this should come to pass, the
Republican managers seem to think
they would lose many of their ad-
herents, but they still have strong
doubt as to whether or not such lead
ers within their own party as have
shown third party leanings really
would go to the extreme of Joining
such a party and of supporting Mr..
Ford as its nominee.
There recently closed In Chicago
conference of men in public life who
met together to consider railroad legis-
lation, or as somebody has put 1t, rail-
road restraints. Senator LaFollette
was the leading figure in this confer
ence, but among his associates were
Democrats who hold membership In
congress and others of the party who
are prominent in one line or another
of progressive or radical endeavor.
1t is from groups like this the Re
publicans and the Democrats feel that
thirc party strength may be recruited.
1t is said that Senator Borah, who had
something to say year ago about the
formation of third party, has bet
ter understanding with Mr.. LaFol-
Iette toda.- than ever he had before.
This may or may not be true, for Sen
ator Borah always Is doing the unex-
pected and he has in~him. us past
political history shows, an ingrainlng
of regularity which at the last moment
may keep him, or possibly certainly
will keep him within the fold of Re-
IL