Evening star., 1924-08-06
Politics at Large
BY N. o. MESSENGER

Can the labor leaders deliver" the
rank and file of the labor vote to any
presidential candidate?
This is a question coming UP for
serious discussion, raised by the &C
ton OF the American Federation OF
Labor in indorsing Senator La Toilette
William @. Lee, president of the
Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen
says it not only cannot be done, but
will not be attempted by him. The
brotherhood numbers about 10000
members, who are described by Presi-
dent Lee as being very Intelligent men.
His action will be confined to lay
ing before the men the record of the
three candidates on labor questions
and 1T turns out that the records OF
all are acceptable 10 him. This means
that the men will be left to choose
for themselves among the three.
X X X
1t is believed by the politicians
that Mr.. Lees policy will be followed
by other labor leaders. This means
that the labor vote will not go in mass
to Senator La Toilette. There are many
Republicans in the labor vote of the
country, ana IHeg are ShpSCISO " olASh
to their own party lines.
One effect of the Atlantic City labor
meetings. Endorsement of Senator La
Toilette is expected to be to drive
many Davis votes in big business to
President Coolidge. 1t has been fire.
quently said since the Democratic ma
tfonal convention that Democrats in
big business are very complacent over
the position Of big business in poll
tics. They regard themselves as sit
ting pretty" as between Coolidge and
Davis, so far as their interests are
concerned.
I'VE will have a safe President in
either of them" is a remark ire
quently heard. But if the La Toilette
candidacy threatens to become serf-
tune. In the menace of radicalism 1t
may become necessary for Democrats
to leave their candidate and concen-
trate on Coolidge, If they deem him
TO have the best chance for election.
Politicians are looking for the next
possible political sensation-the pos
sible announcement by William R.
Hearst of his support OF Senator La
Toilette. They think It is quite with
in the realm of possibility. Specula-
ton on this score was increased this
week by a rather cryptic statement
given out by Mayor Hylan of New
York. 1t is known, of course, that
Mayor Hylan takes his cue from Mr..
Hearst.
Now, UP to this time Mayor Hylan
has not declared his support of John
w. Davis. He says he is be
wildered" about Mr.. Davis, because
he heard many extraordinary objec-
tions against Mr.. Davis nomination
during the convention" One candi-
dates marager had said that the
White House would become sub
e. Co: others tried to convince the
delegates that Mr.. Davis first job
would be to have the English colors
painted all over the Capitol. These
gentlemen, he said, are now all on
the Davis band wagon. and he cannot
understand the sudden change.
Mayor Hylan has not been saying
anything recently about seeking the
governorship nomination. 1t Is
thought. however, that he will an
nounce himself after Gov. Smith de-
clines to run again, which the poll
ticians regard as practically certain
If Mayor Hyian does enter the race.
with the backing of Mr. Hearst 1t is
estimated by the politicians that it
will int ensely compltcate the Demo-
cratic situation, National and State.
in New York.
Gov. Smiths refusal to run for the
governorship would not be construed
as detection from John W. Davis
support. On the contrary. he has re-
peatedly-and no later than two days
ago-said that he will heartily sup
port his successful rival for the presi-
dcntial nomina ton and will go into
the campaign for him.
Gov Smiths influence with the
voters in New York would be q. tre-
mendous asset for Mr.. Davis not
withstanding the threats that Demo-
cratic Catholics intend in large num-
bers to resent Gov. Smiths defeat
for the presidential nomination by
voting against the presidential ticket
= x x
Gov. Smiths open support of Mr..
Davis would be calculated to dis
suade these Democrats from such a
course, it is said. after their anger
has cooled.
IT will soon be time for the Demo-
cratic and Republican managers to be-
gin their secret polls and surveys of the
state of public sentiment throughout
the country. This work will be under
taken after the acceptance speeches of
the two leading candidates are made
and have had time to sink in" Then
the time-honored custom of train polls
will begin also. Everybody knows the
boll-weevil who passes through the train
taking a straw vote" Most amazing
results are often obtained, and are about
as valuable as the straw after which
they are named as indicating the true
sentiment of the voters who respond,
and who In most cases think il is high
order of wit to kid" the man polling
the vote by giving an answer opposite
to their real views and intentions.
X X X x
The polling of the campaign managers
is more reliable, for they get their esti-
mates from county and district leaders
who live among the voters The political
writer's and correspondents who harry
the land in national campaigns will
have their work cut out for them in this
campaign, as all signs now indicate it
will be one of the most difficult to
anaiyze and estimate of any campaign
for many years past.
- x X X X
The Democratic national committee
has moved into it's new headquarters in
the Investment Building on Fifteenth
street. The headquarters have been
greatly enlarged. occupying about 80
rooms. The national committee will be
reorganized when it meets at CIarks-
burg to greet the nominee August II.
Glenn L. Shaver will be formally elected
chairman and other officers chosen.
1t is expected that Richard Linthicum
will. be, retained as director of publicity
and will Immediately resume the issu-
ance of a tri-weekly mail news service,
to develop eventually into a spot tele-