Evening star., 1924-06-20
DAVIS WILL ACCEPT
DEMOCRATIC DRAFT
Is Not a Candidate, he Says, But
VIII Take Nomination if
Called Upon.
CITE LONG RECORD
Chicago Group Declares Victory As
sured on Late Ballot.

BY the Associated Press.
CHICAGO. June 20.-John w. Davis
Of West Virginia, former ambassador
to Great Britain. Is not candidate
for the Democratic presidential nomi-
nation, but is willing to answer the
call of the party to serve as its
standardbearer, he has written
friends here.
II have taken in good faith" Mr.
Davis said, ''the position that 1 am
not a candidate for the nomination
and that any decision to the con-
trary must come from the party and
not from myself"
The letter was made public yester-
day after a luncheon of a number of
the friends Of Mr.. Davis who have
been active here recently in organiz-
ing the John W. Davis for President
Club. The letter was addressed to
Robert l. Burch, secretary of the
bassador for definition of his at
titude toward the activity of his
friends.
IF were in any sense candidate
] should be delighted to send to the
club of which you speak a few words
Oh greeting. r.. DAVIS SdlU.
The letter, dated April Z, and writ
ten in New York, added:
Wants Strong Candidate.
"My only desire is that the party
shall choose the man best calculated
to lead it to success, for I agree with
you in thinking that the national
return Of the Democratic party to
power
Elections turn. or should turn
upon the question of confidence OF
want of confidence in those who have
been intrusted with the administra-
tion of the government.
with the record of the last three
years before them, it is inconceivable
that the people should voice their ap-
proval of those now in power"
Those attending today's meeting in
cluded long standing personal friends
of Mr.. Davis, with a number Of his
| classmates from Washington and Lee
'92.
Confident of Victory.
Mr.. Burch said after the meeting
| that he had been in touch with Demo-
crotic leaders in various states the
past three weeks. I'VE have found
much Davis sentiment" he said. 1--WE
are confident that after the first
round of favorite son baIloting Mr..
Davis will come forward as strong
candidate before the entire conven-
ton. We have canvaSSed the entire
Illinois delegation and are sure a
majority will turn to Mr. Davis when
he is recognized as a bona fide candi-
date for the nomination. Mr.. Bren-
nan George f. Brennan. Illinois
Democratic chieftain) is strong for
Mr.. Davis and no doubt will turn
to him after the first few Smith bal
lots"
In setting forth the political assets
seen in the character and record OF
Mr.. Davis, the meeting declared in
resolution that mo one has criti-
cized anything he has ever done. or
attributed to him any shortcomings
Text OF Resolution.
The text of the resolution follows:
THE Democrats want to win the
election and not make a perfunctory
race. To do this they must put at
the head of the ticket a man OF
proven ability. along the high plane
of public service. which guarantees
fitness for the presidency, backed by
a career, character and reputation
that give assurance that the candi-
date is not open to any just criticism
or attack. and that he will. If elected
fulfill the duties of that great office
in accordance with the standard set
by our ablest and best Presidents.
NO one whose name has been
brought forward so entirely meets
these requirements as the Hon. John