The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-22
DEMOCRATS CLAIM LEADER HULL HAS M \ , [ BLUNDER.
Say Leviathan Trial Trip Was Made Necessary By
 Contracts
WASHINGTON BUREAU 1
 THE AGE-HERALO


 Cordell Hull, chairman of the democratic national committee, after a record featured by unusual poli- tical sagacity. finally blundered. and blundered seriously, in the opinon of many outstanding democrats of the country who have expressed them selves.
 The democratic chieftains crit ic1sm of the Harding administration because it sanctioned the trial trip of the Leviathan, was mistake, 1t is now generally admitted to be true. In the future. Judge Hull will soft pedal regarding the Leviathan, just as the President has agreed. it Is understood, to soft-pedal respecting colaborate in nthe election of the judges of the court of the League of Nation. Hull will refer to the Leviathan, but. if indications are ac- curate. will not again attempt to make a mountain out of a mole-hill. Gros. Exngseration.
 In the first place. 1t has been pointed out to the democratic chair man. that he grossly exaggerated when he referred to the trip as million dollar" junket. The cruise, 1t is estimated, will cost a trifle more than S1oo,0oo. and was made neces- sary by contracts and specifications which called for a thorough testing of the chairman of the shipping board. traffic experts, as a rule, will cost about s13,00O, it Is estimated, which sum. from advertising, will be returned a hundred fold, according to best observers here
 Certain democrats have expressed regret that Chairman Hull proceeded against the administration regarding the trip of the Leviathan at the in stance of the New York World which previously conducted a cam paign of great bitterness. The World is democratic but in the forthcoming campaign will not be a democratic asset, 1t is feared: It is regarded as notoriously wet" and on account of the repeal of the code enforcing the Volstead act in New York, and the approval of that repeal by Gov. Al Smith, it will be necessary for the democrats, it is contended. to curb and the World in 1924 if all "dry" advocates are not driven into the camp of the republicans. There is fear that New York will impress cer- tain sections of the country with the idea that the democratic party Is party of notification committed to non reinforcement of the law.
 
 Hull Action Regretted.
 That element which appears to De the WlSer element or the demo- cratic party regrets the action of Hull because in a comparative sense the Leviathan matter is such a small matter. The fear is expressed that the country will partake of an idea that if Hull takes up every little is- sue that will be proof that there are no big isspes. According to this element, big issues abound. The all legged 'wobply" foreign policy of the administration, the condition in the republican party which has produced discord and factionalism, the failure of Congress to reduce taxes or the cost of living, the tariff and its alleged robbery of the people for the enrichment of the trusts, Newberry- ism, the policy of the attorney gen eral and the department of Justice are pointed out as subjects on which the chairman might express himself with the certainty that the country would become impressed with his seriousness and his logic.
 The chances are regarded as ex- cellent that Chairman Hull will not attempt to make the trial trip of the Leviathan campaign issue, and it is considered certain that were he to make the attempt, he would fail.