Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-03-02
HE paramount question In
politics today apparently
is: II not McAdoo, who


is: II not McAdoo, who
Not that any disposition
to quit Is shown, either by McAdoo
or his chief supporters. But there
Is being shown by q, good many
democrats a disposition to. quit
McAdoo. And with q great many
of them 1t seems to DO q case Of
I'VE don't know where we're
going. but we're on our way"
Next to McAdoo. Senator Under
wood probably has been looked
upon as the foremost contender for
the democratic nomination, and It
might be expected that he would
benefit largely by the slump in
McAdoo's stock. II such is the
case 1t is not indicated in the dis
patches or special correspondence
ly political survey. The Under
wood movement seems to be fairly
well organized and progressing
steadily. but there has been no
marked acceleration az a result of
the Doheny oil disclosures
On the contrary. the effect seems
rather to have been to breed hope
New candidates are springing UP
like mushrooms after a summer
rain. 1t Is pretty obscure demo-
Crat who cannot get mention these
days as presidential possibility
What later on may prove to be
the major political news of the
week has to do with the presi-
Dental prospects of Gov. "Al"
Smith Of New York. Gov. Smith
was formally entered as a candi-
date at the Illinois primaries, and
at home a petition bearing 5000
signatures was filed with the Sec
rotary of state putting him for
ward as q candidate before the
New York democracy. And the
governor persists in his refusal to
say whether he is or Is not a can
di iatc. He did say that the Illinois
petition was filed without his con-
sent or approval. but he did not
say thai he disapproved OF It.
u The meantime, the Smith boom
continues to spread. 1t Is making
Roadway in Connecticut. which be-
fore the oil disclosures had been
considered safe for McAdoo. So
violent has been the McAdoo re-
action there. according to The
Stars correspondent, that unless
Homer S. Cummings disavows Nc
Adoo he is In danger of being de-
feated for delegate at large to the
national convention. When 1t is
remembered that Homer Cummings
has been to the Connecticut de-
ny HI-ha
was to Caesar, II becomes evident
that people up Connecticut way are
pretty thoroughly convinced Of
McAdoL's unavailability.
In Ohio. 1t is reported, the Nc
Adoo strength IS dwindling. demo-
Gratis there being represented as
not wanting a candidate who will
have TO start off with explana-
lions" But McAdoo's name was
filed during the week as a candi-
date and he will contest with James
VI. Cox for. the Ohio delegation.
The prediction is that Cox will
get the solid Ohio delegation. and
the only plausible explanation as
to why, under the circumstances,
McAdoo's name IL entered is that IL
is not desired to discourage Nc
Adoo followings in other states by
an apparent withdrawal under
fire.
How seriously Cox and his
friends look upon his candidacy Is
difficult to determine. They seem
bent upon sewing up the home
state delegation. but in Kentucky
and Indiana, where there are large
elements Of Cox strength, there is
little, il any. activity In his behalf.
This Is exp1ainable as to Indiana
by consideration for Senator Rail
ston's boom, but Kentucky IS
free field, and in view Of McAdoo's
post-oil weakness Cox might easily
walk off with the delegation. In
stead. he seems to be leaving II to
Underwood to profit by McAdoo's
losses. Cox declined an invitation
to address the Kentucky legisla-
ture. Underwood accepted. and Is
reported to have made a most IA
vorable impression in the state Of
his nativity. The McAdoo people
are still in the fight, but are
lighting against odds. A home
paper boom for Senator Stanley
made it's appearance during the