Evening star., 1923-06-20
Politics at Large
ny N. o. MESSENGER

Porto Rico, with his program for a
number of speeches while journeying
across the continent, which are ex-
That Is to say, they will relate to
International and domestic questions,
which must of necessity enter into
the presidential campaign of 1924.
Keen interest is felt in all political
circles over his first address, which is
to be made at St. Louis tomorrow
night, on the subject of the world
court. The President is expected by
the politicians to reiterate his stand
on that proposition and to invite the
support OF citizens regardless Of
party.
1t is also expected to have the ma
ture OF a challenge to those within
his own party who oppose the propo-
sition by emphasizing the President s
refusal to be deferred from pushing
the undertaking by the apprehensions
of what he thinks is a minority in
the party.
The task before the President is to
clear up the misapprehension of those
who may fear that the world court
plan involves this nation becoming
entangled in the politics of Europe.
The average American voter. actu-
ated by a spirit of peace on earth
and good will to men. probably feels
disposed to apply the influence of the
United States among the nations to
the benefit of the world If it can be
accomplished without the impair
ment OF our own independence. Many
of them no doubt are conscious of
sense of responsibility of the
United States toward mankind by
reason of the unparalleled benefits
which this country enjoys.
If the President can bring the
voters to believe that his plan is all
for the betterment of the world and
contains no alloy corrosive of our
independence the prestige of his ad-
ministration will be enhanced and
public pressure will be brought upon
the Senate TO consummate his ideas.
Henry Ford added chapter to
current political discussion day be-
fore yesterday when he made what
at first blush might be deemed
announcement of presidential am
bitions. Analysis OF his utterance
however, shows that it was a re-
nouncement that did not renounce-
toon In The star yesterday touched
the spot when he showed Mr.. Ford
shoOing away presidential bee that
was buzZing around him while nc
was busy. But it will be noted tina,
Mr.. Ford did not swat" the bee; ne
only "shooed' II.
II have no desire to be Presiden,
OF the United States" Mr. Ford was
quoted as saying last Monday. Il an
too much occupied with my owr
affairs to become the next Presiden,
and / do not intend to run. All this
you hear about my name being asso-
ciated with the presidency is news
paper talk. There is nothing in it,"
Well. that's what they all say M
some time or another in the pre-
liminaries of campaign for presi'
Dental nomination, the politicians de
clare. II is the usual play. fol
can't get the politicians in Washing
ton to take any stock in Mr.. Ford's
utterance as a finality. They say that
| the only way 10 declare ones sell
out OF a possible presidential candi'
dacy, campaign is to declare 1t II
saying. for instance, Il won't have
1t and will refuse it il offered :
That is what Theodore Roosevelt
said, in effect, about third term
and found that he had to live up to IL
X y
There are increasing indications OF
very skillful political management Of
Mr. Ford's presidential boom. Some
| body with resources and politica
sagacity is behind it. The politicians
and the public seem to be taking il
as an accepted fact that his boom Is
now on. 1t will not hurt his pros
poets any to have his shyness at this
time. His apparent Discrimination u
| take A nomination induces his support.
erS to say, "Oh, come on, Henry; bt
| a good fellow and play the game.
! The more he holds back the more hi:
most ardent supporters are likely u
! increase their efforts in his behalf.
< X
Politicians in Washington are still
commenting on the movement among
democratic leaders to keep the part.
! aloof from the wet issue. The eX
perience which Gov. Smith of New
York had with Tom Taggart of In
diana at French Lick. which wa.
noted at length in The Star last Sun
| day. has started no end of gossip ant
speculate about Gov. Smiths fu
| ture.
| There is no speculation, however
upon the inception of a movement
among democratic leaders to fight sh!
of being led into a trap by the vets
That is accepted as fact which vii
| become more apparent as time wear
| on One politician here in discussing
! the announcement of Mr.. Taggart, de
| livered as an admonition to Gov
Smith, said: tom Taggart and A
Smith play politics together and III
dollars to doughnuts that All knew
what Tom was going to say all tn
| time and the seeming reputation doe!
not --orry him little bit" This re
! mark was predicated upon realization
| the Indiana delegation to the demo
| cratic national convention If h
! countenaneed the suggestion of a We
| platform. But by the same token
/ delegation sent to the convention a
| drys would not be likely to switol
| dry.
The prevailing judgment amoni
democratic leaders of influence is tha
| the party cannot afford to tie up wit
the vets; that the south and the ives
1 will not tolerate anything approach
\ ing wetneSS in the national plank
| 1t is pointed out that in national con
| VentionS the south and the west fur
nish the leaders who have most in
f! fuence in the convention through
| their long service in Congress ant
! the national leadership. Their ad
| vice in the councils of the party
| their probable majority on the com
mittee on resolutions, which mus
! frame the plank in the beginning, ar
| expected to outweigh the enthusiasm
1 of the vets from New England, New
York, New Jersey. Pennsylvania, Hi
noiS and Wisconsin.
x
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