Evening star., 1924-01-30
Politics at Large
BY n. O. MESSENGER

The latest development in presf-
Dental politics. the announcement by
Senator Reed of Missouri that he is a
candidate for the democratic nomina-
tion for the presidency, is attracting
interest among the democratic poll
ticians. They are disposed to think
that his entrance into the contest
may have important effect, the pre-
vailing opinion being that it will in
crease Mr.. McAdoo's difficulties in
realizing his ambition.
The way the wiseacres figure it out
is that every time a new candidate
enters the field. the possibility of
deadlock in the national convention,
followed by the necessity of q COM
promise candidate, is enlarged. There
are now eight men who are either
avowed or suggested candidates-Mr.
McAdoo, Senator Underwood, Senator
Ralstou, former Gov. Cox, Gov. Smith
of New York, John w. Davis of West
Virginia, DR.. Murphree of Florida
and Senator Reed.
The common object of all who may
enter would be first to head off, Mr..
McAdoo from getting the necessary
two thirds to nominate and then set
tie upon the nominee. 1t is argued,
therefore, that if Mr.. McAdoo's
strength can be whitfield down with
the "favorite SON. pruning knife,
there will be a. look in" for some
one else.
Anti-Reed democrats claim that the
Missourian received a setback in his
state at the outset of his candidacy,
when the state committee, Monday.
decided upon Springfield for the state
convention, the Reed supporters, 1t
was claimed, not desiring the conven-
tion to go there. Senator Reeds
friends, however, minimize the i'm
portance of the incident.
!. x I:
The contest in Missouri between the
Reed and anti-Reed forces promises
to be as bitter ''favorite-son" battle
as that expected in California be-
tween the supporters Of Senator Hi
ram w. Johnson and the forces back
of President Coolidge. When Senator
Reed was up for reelection to the
Senate the Woodrow Wilson faction
in the democratic party fought him
most vigorously, and the charge was
made that the senator was reelected
with the aid of republican votes.
:; 4 x =
Gov. Alfred E. Smith of New York,
ii is conceded by democratic leaders,
will have assembled a following of
imposing proportions by the time the
convention meets, although none of
the higher ups" in the party coun-
ellis concede that he can possibly Sc
cure the nomination. But it is 60
with, they say, and will come in
handy to the forces that are plan
ming a deadlock. Leaders Murphy of
|Tammany, Thomas Taggart of I'm
diana and George f. Brennan of H.
linois will handle the units gath
cred from several states and at the
auspicious moment swing them to the
man they decide upon to try to block
Mr.. McAdoo.
Gov. Smith will be looming large
in the public eye about that time con-
sequent upon his fight with the re-
publicans of the New York legisla-
ture over his program Of legislation.
Only last Monday he secured from the
judiciary committee of the state sem
ate a favorable report on five of the
more important measures he has un-
der way and will pass them through
the state senate. But they Will run
into a stone wall in assembly and 1t
is confidently predicted by the re-
publicans that they can stop them
there.
This will draw attention to the
governor and to his policies. some
of the latter likely to be incorporated
into the framework of the demo-
cratic national platform in principle
where applicable and not strictly
state legislation.
One Of the most important Of Gov.
Smiths measures restores the pri-
mary system OF nomination Of state
officers. This bill has been presented
by Gov. Smith three times and al
ways beaten. Another gives the gov
ernor full control over the making
of the state budget and all state ap-
preparation.
Another provides for four-year
terms for elective state Offices, the
governors contention being that two
years are not sufficient for the chief
executive to work out legislative pro-
grams. Still another provides that
candidates for public Office shall file
the statement of their election eX-
penses before instead of after cleo
tion.
An amendment to the state con-
stitution is proposed which would
islators to initiate proposals for
amending the state constitution.
= x X X
President Coolidge is moving
steadily ahead with his plans for aid
ing agriculture. He has taken on
another problem for which he hopes
to find solution through the possible
extension OF banking sympathy and
support to the condition of the banks
in the northwest.
President Coolidge's calling of a
conference February in this city
between Secretaries Hoover and Wal
lace and some forty odd represent
atives of commercial lines interest
ed in the welfare of agriculture is
in the direction he Is aiming.
i: X X X
What the President has specifically
in mind as remedial measures are
these suggestions:
The fefunding Of present overdue
Indebtedness of farmers in territory
most seriously affected.
Financial assistance through
federal agency to. enable wheat
farmers to make an immediate
change from single crop system to
diversified farming.
Extension of time and functions of
the War Finance Corporation.
Restoration wherever 1t may be
needed, and can be done, of the i'm
paired capital of banking institu-
tions in agricultural communities.
The. creation by private capital