Evening star., 1924-08-14
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

The contrast between the arrange
ments for the notification of John W.
Davis at Clarksburg and the ceremony
here for President Coolidge is signifi-
cant perhaps of the different methods
of approach which the Republican
and Democratic managers haves chosen
to win the support of the voters.
Mr.. Davis friends wanted the af-
fair outdoors-no hall in Ciarksburg
was big enough to accommodate the
crowd; in fact, no hall anywhere seats
as many as $4,000 people. and most
OF that number wanted to see John
w. Davis. The managers talked
about the prospect Of rain-there
were bets among the yenturesome as
to whether it would rain or not, But
the West Virginians said they didn't
care il it did rain-they would TAX
q drenching just to hear their favorite
son.
Four years ago the Republicans
were up against the same situation.
Marion-ndeed. people from all parts
of Ohio-wanted to see Warren Hard
ing make his speech. A huge tent
was ~a~cted-there were no ampli-
fiers for the voice Not more than
5000 people could crowd into the
tent street parade had to suffice.
So tonight less than 5000 people
will see President Coolidge deliver
his speech of acceptance. The candi-
date will depend instead on the press
and the radio to carry his message to
the millions of voters.
Pride in His Clarity.
Mr.. Coolidge, it is no secret. has not
a stump-speaking personality. He
doesn't have the magnetism on the
platform that men like Roosevelt and
Wilson have had in the past. He has
. good radio voice, however, and he
takes pride in the clarity of his writ
ten views.
Mr.. Davis. on the other hand. is a
remarkable speaker. one Of the best
in America, and he. too. takes no little
pride in making his addresses literary.
He hates the hackneyed phraseology of
politics and before the campaign Is over
he probably will endeavor to make as
varied a series of political speeches
as have been made since the 1912 cam
paign. For Woodrow Wilson did have
the faculty Of making his campaign
speeches interesting, and so has Mr.
Davis.
The Democrats are counting not a
little on this advantage, but. while their
candidate will go out on the stump, ii
10 not expected that he will make the
long swings that were made by Mr.. Cox
in 1920 or by Mr.. Hughes in 1916. The
radio, in a sense. makes that unneces
sary. While the people like to see the
nominees they are fascinated with the
opportunity to hear what they have to
say. By visiting strategic points in
the country from which broadcasting
over great areas is possible, practically
the same geographical result may be
obtained. but with the added advantage
Of reaching millions who could not pos
sibly get into auditoriums or crowd
around the back platform OF trains.
Trains to Garry WireieaA
Speaking Of trains. the Davis train
and doubtless Mr.. Coolidge's. even
on his short trips. will be equipped
with radio amplifiers which will
make it possible to broadcast to the
people Of each city or town, even in
daylight hours when broadoasting is
usually difficult over long distances
Mr.. Harding's train on his last
Western trip was equipped with
radio, and 1t made all the difference
in the world in the reception OF his
speeches. One could stand anywhere
in a railroad yard, even q block
away. and hear the speaker clearly.