Evening star., 1923-03-20
CHOOSE UNKNOWN,
URGES v. J. BRYAN
Predicts Victory for Demo-
Gratis in 1924 if Candidate
Is Wisely Picked.
REPUBLICANS IN REVOLT
Commoner Declares Prospects Fine,
But Standard Bearer Must
Command Faith.
REPUBLICANS IN REVOLT
By DAVID LAWRENCE.

SlA-hI, Id SD--N Ill
Jennings Bryan, thrice the democratic
candidate for the presidency. today
sat in his study across the bay from
Attorney General Daugherty In Miami
Beach and contributed few thoughts 5
to the discussion by the latter on the
subject Of the 1924 campaign.
Mr.. Bryan says he never likes to
discuss personalities. Whether Mr.
Harding Will or will not be renomi-
mated isn't matter that he Is any
too eager to decide, as he will not
participate in the republican cam
paigu Of selection. But he considers
himself well qualified to speak on
what the democratic party should do,
and to take issue with Mr.. Daugh-
erty's predictions as to what will oc-
cur after the nominating conventions
have been held
MIR. Bryan advises the democrats
to put aside personal preferences and
name a man not heretofore promi-
nently identified with presidential
contests in the party.
Sees Democratic Trend.
THE trend is toward the demo
cratic party" said Mr.. Bryan to the
writer today. las is shown by the
elections of 1922. do not know
when we have had an election wnen
the verdict of the people was Uni
formly against the party in power.
"Nothins has occurred since the
election last November to Indicate a
change in the trend. In fact, the at
tempt to pass the ship subsidy bill
aggravated the situation rhc fail
ure of the bill is in itself o:hcr prt,cf
that in the republican party theIe is
a Widespread dissatisfaction.
Subsidy Men Lose.
The republicans had NOR. than
two-thirdS membership of The House
and yet only passed that bill by
t"enty-tour majority. and couldn't
have passed 1t at ali but tor pro
vision which the republican Senate
struck out. namely. the one concern
ing annual appropriations for sub
sidy.
There were seventy-six republicans
defeated in the last elections for
Congress and not 4 single democratic
district was lost. OF the seventy
six republicans whose districts went
over to the democratic party sixty
six voted for the ship subsidy bill in
the House, showing that without these
republicans who had been defeated
the bill would have been badly de-
feated in the House.
Republicans Revolt.
when you remember that ninety
three republicans Joined with the
democrats in defeating the attempt
of the republican leadership to re-
duce the tax on big incomes and kept
wanted to lower 1t TO 81, IT will be
seen how large percentage of re-
publican leaders are in revolt on the
most important question. And the
revolt among the voters is larger than
among the leaders because the irdt-
vidual voter feels more free to rebel
than does the leader.
However this trend being due to re-
dictionary policies of the republican
leaders, II would be checked by the
identify itself with progressive and
remedial measures. If, for instance.
the democrats we're SO foolish as TO
allow big business 10 name the demo-
cratic candidate. the people would be
more Indignant at the democratic party
than they We're last fall at the repub
licans, because they expect more pro-
gressivisIn from the democrats"
Mentions No Names.
Who ought to be norninated?" the
writer asked Mr.. Bryan at this point.
NO one can inte!ligently pick out
the most available man so far ahead"
was his reply. 1t is easier to elimi-
nate than to nominate.
THE democratic candidate must not
be representative of Wall street or
a representative of the vets. Among
the democrats who are progressive and
dry the party ought to choose the man
who at the time seems most likely to
poll the largest vote. The next Congress
will shape the lines Of the campaign by
making the issues, and 1t may develop
a candidate, because issues make candi-
dates.
Every democrat who has the interest
of the party at heart ought to desire
the nomination OF the most availa bic
man. Personal preferences ought not
TO outweigh party and national needs"
What we'll known candidates would
you mention?' was the next question
to Mr.. Bryan.
Bryan to Take Stump.
ut is not necessary for a man TO
be well known" he said. nothing
be candidate. What We need is a
man who will grow and become
known. The masses would prefer a
man who is not known, but who will
be their friend, rather than a more
prominent man who Will be their
MIR. Bryan today began his sixty
fourth year. He looks young and
vigorous. In fact, younger than he
did when he was Secretary of State
and more like the campaigner in 1908.
idency twenty seven years ago, but
doesn't look at bit the veteran pol
itician that he is, and fully expects
to go on the stump in the 1924 cam
paign.
Copyright. 1921