Evening star., 1923-10-15
GOV. P|NCHOT DROPS
SPARK IN POLITICS
Dry Speech Here May Be
Opening of His Campaign
for Presidency.
BY \. o. MESSENGER.

Gov. Pinchot's address before the
citizenship conference yesterdav has
let loose a food of political specula-
tion and gossip having to do with
the republican presidential romina- =
ton and the possibility o. the Penn
sylvania governor entering himself
as candidate. Gov. Piachot has rol
intimated that he has any intention
of contesting the nomination with
President Coolidge.
But at the same time he has not
taken edyantagevo of opportunities pre-
sented to him to declare himself out
of the running. The first impulse OF
politicians will be to construe his ac-
tion of yesterday as indicative OF
the probability that he may soon be
an avowed candidate.
In political circles today il was
suggested that he will be forced to
say something pretty soon on account
of the speculation as to his course
which will inevitably follow his di-
rect drive upon President Coolidge in
holding him personally responsible
for better enforcement of the prohi-
bition law by federal authorities. II
was argued that he will fiRI himself
in an equiyocal position until he de-
clares himself one way or another.
The politicians say that once he
steps into the ring the way will be
open for other potential candidates
to follow suit, and that 1t may be ex-
pected they will promptly start a
back-fire against the keystone state
candidate. Senator Johnson, Senator
Borah, Senator Watson of Indiana,
former Gov. Lowden of Illinois and
any other aspiring statesmen may
feel relieved of the tacit understand.
ing that President Coolidge should
be allowed ito make good" which has
prevailed, and put themselves into
the running.
So the possibilities are considered
ample for interesting Developments
in the political world if Gov Pinchot
is smoked OUT as a-result of the
stand he took yesterday and forced
to declare himself as a candidate for
the nomination.
Right to Dry Issue.
1t was pointed out today that If
Gov. Pinchot is in fact intent upon
becoming candidate for the nomina-
killing" in his pronouncement for en-
forcement of the prohibition law. He
has no monopoly upon that as a cam
paign issue. Every other potential
upon
the field, would declare himself as a
stanch upholder of law enforcement
and would thereby make a grab for
Gov. Pinchot's candy. He could not
do anything else and would at once
be entitled to claim that he had as
good a right to that issue as Gov.
Pinchot.
The suggestion was heard that Gov.
Pinchot is foredoomed to fail to real
ize on his pronouncement as a per-
sonal and private monopoly, and that
even If he could il would not Offset
the liability he is bound to carry .as
being a citizen OF Pennsylvania.
The republican party, 1t was said,
does not have to solicit Pennsylvania g
vote by giving that state the presi-
Dental nomination. The party already
has IL totted down in its own column in
the electoral college.
When the republican national con-
vention comes to the nomination Of
a candidate for the presidency 1t will
listen to words of political wisdom
from a group of hard-headed elder
statesmen of the party who will take
into account all political considera-
tions, it was said. To be sure, there
will be in the convention delegates
elected in the primaries and Gov.
Pinchot may. be counting on making
his campaign in the primary states,
how can he expect to claim their vote
on the ground of law enforcement?
: The principal consideration of in
terest at this hour is that the Penn
sylvaDia governor in his address Of
Yesterday may be said to have start
ed something" in presidential can
didatorial politics.