Evening star., 1923-03-28
Politics at Large
BY N. O. MESSENGER,

Prompt realization by the admin
istration of the political dynamite
latent in the gamble in sugar now
threatened, az we'll as the outrage
upon the public, Is shown in the
prompt steps being taken by the De-
partment Of Justice and the Depart
ment of Commerce to investigate the
seeming combination of speculative
interests by which the advance in
the price has been made in the face
of economic conditions which should
preclude higher cost of sugar. The
republican national committee, too,
has taken cognizance Of the charges
made by the democrats that the new
tariff law contributes to the advance
in the prices and vigorously refutes
the assertion.
Politicians say that the democrats
were in a fair way to make valuable
political capital out of boom in
sugar costs to the consuming public,
especially II 1t could be laid to re-
publican Legislation, administration
or neglect to adopt remedial meas
ures. The Department of Commerce
had shown by statistics that there is
no actual or prospective shortage in
the supply of sugar, leaving an in
dignant public to put the blame for
higher prices somewhere else. The
democratic managers were quick in
seeking to attach 1t to the republican
tariff law and republican administra-
tion-or maladministration, for that
was more than limited in some of the
democratic political emanations and
publications.
4 X !:
The politicians think. however, that
the political furry will blow over as
soon as the investigators find the
alleged conspiracy out of which the
grown. If Il clear case is proven,
malefactors found and brought to
justice, the incident may react to the
credit of the administration. The
democratic managers, however. will
not cease to charge a part of the
Increase to the tariff bill and say
that the charge only can be refuted
by a sharp drop In the price Of sugar
to the pre-protection figures.
x 4 X
There are conflicting reports in re-
publican inner circles over the possi-
bility Of Vice President Coolidge not
being on the ticket with President
Harding in 1924. From one infuen-
tial group comes the rather positive
statement that another running mate
will be in the team, and from another
equally we'll informed source come
statements that Mr.. Coolidge will
stick unless he becomes frritated at
the rumors and signifies his prefer
ence for retirement.
If Mr.. Coolidge should become re-
sentful and tell the politicians good
bye it is conceded on all hands that
a candidate Of pronounced progress
sive affiliations will be sought for
the vice presidential nomination.
Gov. Gifford Pinchot of Pennsylvania
is mentioned as a possibility. Sena-
tor Johnson of California, IL he would
take II. would be in high favor, 1t is
said; but the Californian is believed
TO have higher aspirations, come 1928.
Some rising young man from the mid :
die west would be considered q good
catch, and the republicans who think
Mr.. Coolidge may retire are now said
10 be casting about for a likely candi-
date.
Woodrow Wilson has set the demo-
Gratis a-going by his letter to the Gov
ernor Of Colorado recommending the ap-
potntment of his friend, Huston Thomp-
son. to the senatorial vacancy in that
state. Democrats known to be In Mr..
phasized several times recently the
statement, as readers of this column
may recall, that Mr.. Wilson would be
found very much in evidence in the
councils Of his party from now on and
Increasingly as the presidential cam
paign takes form. In the instance at
hand the former President knows what
he wants and is not backward in ask
ing for it. He is regarded as perceiv-
ing an opportunity to place in the Sen
many public questions and upon whom
he can depend to voice in the Senate
his own views. and opinions.
Mr.. Wilson lost several good friends
and supporters in retiring democratic
senators at the same time that he finds
one thorn still sticking in the flesh in
the person of Senator Reed of Mis-
souri,. who remains In the Senate. II
Mr.. Thompson is appointed Mr.. Wilson
will feel reason to congratulate himself
that he has doughty champion to pit
against Senator Reed.
K * K u
Whoever the new appointee from
Colorado turns out to be, he will be a
democrat and his vote will be ayaila bic
to the minority to make possible COM
binations with the radical republican
bloc to bedevil the republican majority
and upon desirable occasions possibly
turn that majority into a minority. All
kinds Of combinations possible of being
effected are being figured out, and it ap-
pears certain that the republicans will
tread no primrose path of daniance in
the next Senate. No election for SEN
tion in 1924 and in the meantime the
democratic-radical bloc will have had
time ''to get in its deadly work"
Regular republicans claim that the
menace of this radical republican and
democratic combination Is being over
played to a large extent They assert
that a great deal of the legislation
which the radicals and progressIyeg
clamor for is acceptable to the regulars,
on the score of its being progressive.
they go on to point out that some of
the acuteiy radical propositions threat t.
ened to be offered will be found obiec-
tionable to conservative democrats who
will not vote for them, and II combina-
tions are necessary to defeat what their
ideas hold to be laws hurtful to the
even though it should run with the
Judgment of conservative republican MS,
and abandon the radical bloc.
* X x
1t is contended that the real effec-
tiveness of the much discussed demo-
cratic-radical bloc will be found to
apply to the reorganization of the
Senate. which means leadership and
committee assignments. It is admit
ted that the ultra-progressives and
the radicals will be in position, with
the aid of democrats, to upset the
caucus committee designations and
force upon important committees the
presence of their own men, if they
show that they have democratic votes
In leash to reverse the recommenda-
tions of the majority faction when
the Senate Is called upon to confirm
them.
The regular republicans resent ef-
forts to put them in the attitude OF
a tyrannical majority. intent upon