The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-02-18
CUMMINGS LAUDS
M'ADOO AS LIBERAL
STANDARD BEARER
Former Democratic Nationa
Chairman Declares Fate
of Party at Issue,
BIZ United Press


| BIZ CnueG Press
! CHICAGO, Feb. 12-Liberalism or
reaction is the chief issue to be settled
| by the McAdoo Availability confer
| ence," Homer L. Cummings, former
chairman of the national Democratic
committee declared today IN the key
not address to the supporters of Will
liam Gibbs McAdoo gathered to de.
eide whether he is still available as a
Democratic presidential candidate
McAdoo represents liberalism;
President Coolidge represents reaction,
| Cummings declared.
las see it, we are discussing not
only the fortunes of an individual but
we are considering the fate of a
cause" he said.
Cummings charged the Administra-
ton with hanging up a record of dis
astrous failures, spotted with scandals,
and eliminating with the amazing
Teapot Dome disclosures.
During the past few months the
forces which are to contest the politi-
cal field next November had been
gathering" Cummings said in part.
Il think it is fair to state the reaction
airy groups are those who instinctively
prefer a static state Of public affairs
and which for many years have con
trolled the politics of the Republican
party have determined upon the nom
ination of Coolidge with every nkihood
they win prevail, in their party con.
| yention.
Is Undoubted Choice
"On the other hand the party forces
Of liberalism have been gathering
about McAdoo who today stands as
the undoubted choice OF the great
masses of the Democratic party.
Those who believe in progressive
democracy welcome such an align
ment. They conceive the struggle
which hogan in 1912 to free American
institutions from the thraldom Of
special privilege has not ceased, but
sim continues.
The reforms accomplished ana
other policies inaugurated were con.
sistently fought by the same forces
which today ar9 for. ing TIE nomina-
ton OF tho present chief executive.
| To those who have been govern
| ing America since March 4 1921. we
pat the pertinent inquiry what have
Gou done with America since her
affairs were connded to your keeping?'
Record of Failure
cat every point at home and abroad
there has been a consistent record
Of failure. Disastrous as these fail
| ures have been they We're overshad-
owed today by the recently developed
| history Of corruption which has been
fostered by Republican officials with
a reckless disregard OF public rights
appalling In its consequences. Scan
dial after scandal has been unfolded.
Beginning with the Newberry scan
dal, progressing through the debauch-
| cry OF the eyterans and eliminating
In the Teapot Dome disclosures, the
record has bden one which brings
humiliation and shame to all who love
America. We are under the high ne
cesslty of making a complete and
sweeping change in the management
Of our Government"
The attempt to connect McAdoo
with the oil scandal is a desperate
attempt by the Republicans to divert
attention from their own derelictions
and to destroy the "one man about
whom the forces Of progressive De.
mocracy have instinctivly assembled, -
he declared.
Own Future Inconsequential
| McAdoo in a communication to the
conference stated his own political fu-
ture was of no consequence beside the
greater Issue of the Teapot Dome scan.
dali
The question before the people, he
said, is whether corruption shall con
tinue in Washington
His availability is up to the confer
ence, McAdoo declared. In case the
conference decides it is to the best in
terests to the party that he do so. he
said he would gladly step out.
Cummings was selected temporary
chairman of the conference.
! HEAVY SENTENCE GIVEN