Evening star., 1923-02-04
TWOPRES|DENT|AL
! bOOMS IN INDIANA
Beveridge and Watson Are
Mentioned as Successors
to Mr.. Harding.
BOTH SILENT ON REPORTS
Candidacy of Either Would At
tract Many Citizens of Hoosier
State.
qpccisl Djspsfrh 70 The Star

Special Dispatch to The Star.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. February 8
Indiana politicians who keep an ear 10
the ground to catch the rumblings of
national events still are discussing the
portent OF remarks made by Albert j.
Reveridge. defeated republican candi-
late for United States senator, at
banquet a few days ago given by the
indiana Republican Editorial Asso-
citation.
In his address Mr.. Reveridge, who
many believe has his antennae strung
out for sparks out of the ether that
would indicate to him that his can
,iidacy for the presidency would be
welcome. served a plain warning on
he republican organization to keep
It's hands off the direct primary law.
which carries a presidential prefer
ence feature in this state.
The only purpose of party organ
cations" he said. lis to elect party
.andidates and not to formulate
policies or direct legislation.
Watson Is Compiacent.
At the table and among the speak
ers was Senator James Il. Watson OF
Indiana. who has generally been
credited with having been the direct
ing genius behind the drive started
for the repeal of the primary law
by the republican state committee.
Senator Watson has Il host of ardent
friends in this state who would like
70 see him become u candidate for
the White House. and the genial JIM
AS he is Familiarity known to thou
sands. would not be averse to the
compliment If it could be convenient
ly arranged. his admirers assert.
However. Senator Watson is too good
a party worker to let anything crop
out that would indicate that he is
entertaining the presidential bee in
his bonnet at this time. He cannot.
however. those close to him say,
censor the ebulient hopes of his
admirers.
Mr.. Bevcridge likewise was tactful.
rsassuring his audience that despite
Ms recent defeat he would still .'be
,ood soldier in the ranks. Mr..
Bcveridge. too. has a lot of warm
admirers in Observation-Disclosures who
followed him through the strenuous
primary campaign when he wrested
the nomina tion away from Senator
Harry 5. New and who rode down to
defeat in his band wagon when
samuel NJ. Ralston. senator-e elect. was
returned the Nictor-who feel that
lie would grace the Presidents chair
with remarkable ease.
Among his powerful friends who
are said TO entertain this vision of
Mr.. Beveridse is John &. Shafer.
publisher of string Of papers
throughout the country. The In
d;an; polls Star, d Shafer publication.
supported Beveridge in both Of his
campaigns and il is a common report
that the entire. Shafer group would
be at Mr. Beveridge's command if he
sought the White House.
To the minds OF political observers
the meeting demonstrated that In
diana has two potential candidates
for the presidency-that is. if things
can be arranged. Senator Watson. of
course. would not enter the race if
President Harding seeks another
term. But nevertheless he would feel
Il lot more comfortable if the pres-
'iential preference feature OF the In
diana primary law was removed es-
pecially if Mr.. Beveridge continues to
entertain similar ambitions.
Senator News Defeat.
Mr.. Watson and his friends still
have keen recollection Of what hap
pened to Senator New in a direct pri-
taary. Then. too. Senator Watson. be
ing a good organization republican of
the StanGpat type. would not wish TO
see President Harding Obliged to
conc into this state and contend FOR
the presidential delegation against Il
progressive of any type or from any
state.
Many observers felt during the
senatorial campaign that Mr.. Bev-
ridge was asking election in order
that tho Senate mi ght serve as a step
ping stone TO his further ambition
In fact. this report. spread indus
trIouSly about the state did irrcpara-
Dlc harm to the BeVcridge cause at
The height of the campaign
These same observers still feel that
Mr.. Revcridgc's ambition to obtain
the highest office within the gift of
the people has been in no wise dim
Ted by his recent defeat. He took
his downfall like a good sport and
came back smiling. n thing that APP
peals to the Hoosier politician Bev-
eridgc today is probably stronger
than ever before in the hearts of the
Indiana voters. and he has been in
The political game long enough to
sense his advantage.
Mr.. Beveridge has reason to be a
strong advocate of the primary for
through it he won the senatorial NOM
ination. Whether or not he becomes
an avowed candidate for the presi-
dency, he can well afford to warn the
politicians to leave the primary alone
FOR its retention would give him a
convenient vehicle to start a cam
paign In case he decides to enter the
national race.
Mr.. Beveridge. it might be said. is
biding his time. watching events, and
II the opportunity presents itself
more Beveridge presidential talk may
be heard.
----------------------