Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-02-04
DEMOCRATS MAY
TURN TO P0MERENE
Appointment as Oil Lease
Investigator Likely to
Give Him Prestige.
BY N. O. MESSENGER.


Still the wheel of fate continues to
turn in presidential politics, impelled
by the developments in the oil scan
dals. One revolution follows an
other in almost bewildering sequence.
The public hardly has time to catch
it's breath from one smashing sur
prise before another follows close
upon its heels.
The McAdoo comet, up to three
days ago blazing pre-eminent in the
political sky, apparently dims it's
glow. threatening to slowly ex-
tinguish. Then appears new
meteor in the armament. President
Coolidge invites fromer Senator
Pomerene of Ohio to the White
House to luncheon and asks him to
conduct. as the democratic bi-parti-
san member of the federal board, the
prosecution of the suits against the
oil companies who have obtained
leases of the government naval oil re-
serves.
Mr.. Pomerene has aforetime been
mentioned as available democratic
presidential timber Upon retire
ment from the Senate he returned to
the practice of law, eschewing poll
tics, and his name has been omitted
or late from mention as a potential
candidate for the democratic preSi-
Dental nomination.
suppose he looms into prominence
in connection with the oil suits. The
markings" are inherent for such a
development. The eyes of the entire
country will be upon him. He has
the confidence of the people through
record of courage, independence and
ability in the United States Senate.
They will believe in him and trust
him.
Looms as Candidate.
And he comes from Ohio, a pivotal
state. Given a man Of high caliber and
recognized worth, admit the disor-
ganized condition of the democratic
slate of potential candidates, conse-
quent upon the prospective crash of
Mr.. McAdoo, what more natural than
that the party should hail with ac-
claim the advent of a new candidate
in the field?
Nothing in this suggestion is to be
construed as containing the intima-
ton that Mr.. Pomerene would visual
ize presidential possibilities in under
taking the task. On the contrary,
from the makeup of the man he
would rather lean Backward in
avoiding any political shading or as
pect. The point is, may not the demo-
cratic party see a chance to pick up
a good candidate?
Would it not be another instance.
too. of the tricks of fate if President
Coolidge, having invited Mr.. Pomerene
into the public arena, should find him
his adversary at the polls in the presi-
dental campaign? And in that con-
nection it might be observed that it
dent Coolidge's whole-hearted and patri-
otto purpose to hew to the line in the
oil prosecutions, let the chips fall where
they may.
Faith in Coolidge.
While on this subject, it will be peril
nent to note that President Coolidge's
course in these amazing developments
has been consistently of character to
bring him only praise and public sup
port. The Stars dispatches from all
quarters of the country, sent by neu-
trail and unbiased correspondents of
reputation, published yesterday in the
weekly resume of political conditions,
dent Coolidge has not been touched by
a breath of distrust in his conduct Of
affairs in his own jurisdiction as Chief
Executive.
The people have their faith pinned
on him, it is shown by reports from
every source. 1t is classed by poll
ticians as notable expression of
public confidence. The people believe
that he is going to see this investiga-
ton through in their interest, regard
less of political considerations or
political consequences.
Now that the curse has been taken
off" of partisan advantage through
the involvement of men of both
parties--in an unfavorable light-in
the case, the most celebrated in the
annals of the country, it is expected
that President Coolidge will continue
to stand out as the hope of patriotic
Americans, regardless Of party affilia-
ton, to carry on with the investiga-
ton ruthlessly in behalf of justice
and the nations best interest
1t may yet turn out that the presi-
Dental campaign of next fall may be
fought along the lines of normal
political division, on straight party
issues, free from the faint Of oil, with
the cards on the table and the spirit
Of may the best man win" prevail
ing.