The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-26
bORAH'S DENIAL
 1T CANDIDACY |S
 NE W PARTY BOMB
NarroWs The Field Of lnfIu- ential Leaders To Ford
 And laFOlIette
By RAYMOND CHAPTER Geased Wire to The Age-HeraId.)

WASHINGTON, June 25.-Senator Borahs announcement in the west that he will not lead any third party movement next year leaves only Senator LaFCllette and Henry Ford as the remaining prospects. If the movement to break the two-party system is to amount to anything in 1924 one of these two national fig ures msst head 1t. Otherwise any third party group that is formed will be small time" affair with no hope of making real dent in the su- premacy Of the two old organiza- tions.
 Both LaFollette and Ford have the national prominence, the large per- sonal followings, and the clear-cut personalities necessary to attract the voters. In the absence of national political organization, the third party must have magnetic per sonaIity at Hs head to~ offset the disadvantage resulting from lack or a great machine.
 Both of these men are feared by the old-line politicians Of the two parties. They were much relieved a few days ago when Ford said he did not intend tC run. But this failed
  general belief among seasoned poll ticians is that Ford will be candi- date.
 LnFollette Keeps Own Counsel.
 They feel the same way about La Toilette, although the Wisconsin senator has kept his own counsel and permitted no inkling of his inten- ,ions to leak out.
 xxri1 SneCtAl Minnesota senatorial election. In the farmer-labor candidate, Magnus Johnson, wins, LaFollette's stock will jump. LaFollette campaigned in Minnesota last November, and Is credited with having been influential in electing Dr. Henrik Shipstead, the farmer labor candidate, over Frank B. Lellogg, the administration man. LaFollette is expected to get into the present fight and if he Is successful again, he will be in an excellent position to enter the presidential pr1- maries in the northwest next spring.
 Through his non-partiSan progress sive conferences, LaFollette has built up large following among the lib- erals of both old parties. A year ago Samuel Gompers, though democrat of many years standing. declared La Toilette is labor's choice for Presi- dent He also has the farmers of the northwest.
 o o o
 LaFollette's Assets.
 But LaFollette's biggest asset Is on the legislative program of the next Congress. His two specialtfes, taxes and transportation, will be the chief topics. He will be at home when the -Cummins act comes up for revision, having fought 1t from the start. He is as familiar with the railroad situation as any man in Congress, and there are few who can hold their own against him in railroad argument on the Sem ate floor. He is equally versed in tax problems and the progressives are out to revise the income sched- ules so that the burden nSay be shifted more equitably, as they be- lieve. on the shoulders of wealth.
 LaFollette, by his progressive con- ference here last December. became the leader of the progressive group in Congress, and will be their logi- cal spokesman throughout the ses- sion. He controls the handful of senator's who have the balance of power in the next Senate, and, there fore. will be the dominant figure in the upper house. Thus he has an excellent springboa from which to jump. if he desires to form third party.