Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-07-10
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
(Leased Wire Service to The Journal.)
DOWNRIGHT. 1921

LEASED WIRE Service to The Journal.J
Copyright, 1929
Unquestionably the contest which
will excite most interest in the next
twelve months will be the selection
of a Democratic candidate for the
presidency. Having interviewed
Democratic leaders in many parts of
the country, it : is undeniable that
no single candidate stands out as
in the lead. The fact is the Demo,
cratic leaders in all parts of the
country are in an inquisitive mood
and that they are carefully weigh
ing the merits Of various men whose
names have been mentioned.
Perhaps the most remarkable
thing about the present state of af-
fairs in the Democratic party is the
strong sentiment for William Gibbs
McAdoo, former secretary Of the
treasury and director general of the
railroads. 1t is remarkable because
a candidate at the last convention
and his friends were unable to win
the nomination, chiefly because of
the son-in-law relationship Of Mr..
McAdoo to Woodrow Wilson. What
was considered a liability then, how
ever, now is being talked of by his
friends as an asset.
Conditions Greatly Changed
The disposition of the country in
1920 was to forget as quickly as pos
sible all that happened during the
war. Consideration of anyone who
was connected with the war time
administration as a possible candl-
date for the presidency was met
with the statement that the people
were not inclined to look Mack.
Would the selection in 1924 Of a
man identified with wartime re-
strictions revive the controversies
which caused so much of the i'll
feeling that resulted in an over
whelming defeat of the Democratic
party in 1920? That's the greatest
obstacle that the McAdoo movement
as to overcome.
Curiously enough, however, the
strength of McAdoo is not his
achievements during the war, when
he bad. practical control OF. the
finances of the United States gov
ernment-the largest transactions
that ever were carried on by a sec
rotary Of the treasury in this or
any other country. The chief as
sets of Mr.. McAdoo are the remark
able loyalty to his friends, who have
left no stone unturned since the last
convention to make it possible for
Mr.. McAdoo to get delegates, and
the amazing hold which Mr.. Nc
Adoo has on organized labor, prin-
cipally the railroad men of the coun-
try. Even in 1920 Mr.. McAdoo was
regarded as a strong candidate be-
cause of his hold on the railroad
workers. But if he had strength
then with the railroad men, he has
redoubled it since.
Labor's Disappointment
The railroad workers have gone
through a series of disappOintments
since the private owners took back
the railroad systems of the country
and they realize now what the rail
road executives have tried to do in
! breaking down the standards of
working rules and wages set up dur
ing the wartime administration.
Although it is a long way to pub
| lie ownership, the shreWdest of the
railroad employee leaders recognize
that the tendency of the age is to-
ward closer government supervision
! of the railroads of the country, and,
under such circumstances, a friend
in the White House would be an
asset to the railroad workers.
! Politically speaking, nueclus Of
railroad men in every division point
| in the United States is a political
organization in itself. There always
! has been a good deal of talk about
/ the labor vote and how helpful it
can be to a candidate who is friendly
to labor, but one is safe in saying
| there never has been a candidate
for high office in the last thirty
years who has been so closely iden-
| titled with the interests of a large
| group of, working men as Mr.. Nc
| Adoo. His candidacy would inspire
intense activity by these men.
Not Confined to Rails
1t is unlikely, however. that Mr..
McAdoo would confine himself en-
tirely to railroad questions should
he become an active candidate. AS
secretary of the treasury he became
| familiar with the finances of the
| government and questions of taxa.
ton. He is an authority on this sub
! ject and should he present a radical
program for the revision of taxa
ton in the United States he would
be in an advantageous position be-
cause he could speak by the book.
If prohibition should be an issue
I of importance in the Democratic
convention, Mr.. McAdoo would lead
the dry" side. He is a confirmed
dry" and would have the support
of William Jennings Bryan as
against any candidate of so-called
liberal views. Mr.. McAdoo gathered
most of his strength in the last
Democratic convention from the
arid west. Some of the eastern
states, which are wet, would not be
for McAdoo anyhow, even though
he were inclined to think as they
do on prohibition. When Mr.. Nc
Adoo was secretary of the treasury
he incurred the hostility of the Tam
many organization in New York
state and was not in favor with
these political bosses in the Demo
cratic party. Woodrow Wilson had
the antagonism Of these same groups
in the Democratic party, but won
the nomination despite it in the fa-
NOUS convention of 1912 at Balti-
more.
Summing up Mr.. McAdoo's quail
fication, he is an authority on taxa
ton, transportation and government
financing-all Of which are likely to
develop issues in the next campaign.
1t would not be surprising, for in
stance, if he worked out a plan
whereby a soldier bonus could be
paid without disturbing seriously the
economic condition of the country.