Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-06-12
COOLIDGE MACHINE:
TREATING RADICALS
WITH CONTEMPT
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
Especial Leased Wire to The Journal.)
(CopyriCht, 1921

illus lotI
First, that there should be no
catering to the radicals and La
Toilette group, no compromises, no
attitude which begs support, moth
ing but a polite and tolerant indif-
ference
Second that the Republican rec
ord in congress and the Individual
lists WHO have messed up the legis-
lative program should not lead the
party here or guide its councils,
but should be in the background
while the Coolidge management pro
claims the party purposes and poll
cies.
Third, that the Republican plat
form shall be in accord with what
Mr.. Coolidge wants it to be on all
controversial questions, including
the soldier bonus, the world court
and agricultural problems.
Taking up these points in order,
one finds that the movement which
originated in Wisconsin to have
the convention here adopt resolu-
lions pledging all the delegates in
advance to support whoever is nom
mated will not be followed through
for the simple reason that to have
such a battle with the LaFollette
group means the proposal on their
part of a substitute resolution ask
ing the party to repudiate Albert
B. Fall and Harry M. Daugherty.
Would Mean Open Breach
This would lead to an open
breach in which the radicals would
embarrass the convention as "a
whole and give the Wisconsin group
the excuse they are aching for to
desert the Republican party in favor
of an Independent ticket.
Instead, the regulars from Wis
consin believe it is far more salts.
factory from the viewpoint of party
strategy to let the La Toilette dele
gates sit throughout the Repub-
lican convention as Republicans so
that the impulse in boiling will
come from that side, rather than
the majority.
The regulars recognize the La Fol
lette insurgency as inevitable and as
irreconcilable. They will do nothing
to placate it. On the other hand,
there is a growing desire to treat it
with defiance and boldly proclaim
note unquestionably could strike an
enthusiastic response in this conven-
ton, which already regards party in
fidelity with contempt. There is also
the feeling that since Senator La
Toilette has made up his mind to
run, nothing would be gained by
giving his followers an exaggerated
Importance in the convention, which
from a publicity viewpoint might be
to their advantage later on.
AS for the 'old guard and con-
gress, the Coolidge leaders are play
ing for a public impression of indie
pendence. They want the people who
are resentful of congressional inef-
ficiency to realize that the party as
a whole has no sympathy with it
and leans rather to the making of
the platform to accord with the pres.
ldent'S speeches and address to con-
gress, and is proceeding smoothly
and without interference by the con-
gressional leaders, many of whom
are astute enough politicians to APP
preciate that perhaps with the un,
popularity of congress the strategy
of the Coolidge mana gers may not
be unWise after ali.
World Court Idea
On the world court, the Coolidge
Harding-Hughes idea of American
membership in the world court Gre
ated by the League of Nations will
prevail.
On the soldier bonus, the platform
will not point with pride" to the
adjusted compensation bill which
congress passed, but will content it
~ ,1n<. ,s,t Of
satisfaction over what the Republic
an party has done for the veterans
OF the World war, especially the dis
abled men, and there probably will
be an expression of gratitude about
the veterans generally so as to off
set some of the criticism leVeled at
the president in his recent veto mes
sage on the bonus when he said in
effect that the government owed the
soldiers and sailors nothing for their
services in the war.
On agricultural questions, no spe-
cific measure will be advocated, but
a principle of helpfulness will be
enunCiated.
The platform has been drafted
its first draft was made in Washing
ton. Congressional leaders who have
been consulted about it and cabinet
members who have read it speak f
il as rather lengthy document but
then platforms have to be, nova
days, to encompass all the subjects
which must be included to satisfy
the various elements in the cleo
torate, including the women voters.
When the platform is finished it
will be described by its proponents
as liberal and progressive without
any note of Impractical radicalism.
1t will contain no startling pro-
nouncements but simply will be a
reiteration of Coolidge doctrines as
heretofore eXpounded.
The vice presidential situation is
truly up to the delegates themselves
The choice will be made on the floor
after the nominating speeches are
made and it would not be surprising
to see a number of complimentary
votes given to various Republicans
in order to feel out the sentiment of
the convention
Illinois Up i'm Air
The Illinois delegation has voted
to petition former Governor Lowden
to reconsider his refusal to run.
The plan has been for Illinois to
place his name in nomination first
with Alabama-first on the roll call
yielding to Illinois for that pur-
pose. But Mr.. Lowden's emphatic
declaration over the telephone that
ne could not accept. even if named,
mas upset the plans of the Illinois
delegation. Several states have
been ready to join the movement to
draft LoWden and it is inconceiv.
abIe that any man would actually
refuse TO accept if the nomination
came unanimously. Mr.. Lowden
may be drafted yet, but his threat
20 decline IS preventing a settlement
OF the vice presidential situation in
advance of the balloting. Next to