Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-02-17
ME democracy of the nation is.
fguratively speaking. holding
its breath awaiting the out

NdE democracy OF the nation Is,
figuratively speaking. holding
Its breath awaiting the out
come OF the conference In Chi
cage tomorrow to determine whether
the oil disclosures have DESTROYED the
advisability OF William G. McAdoo u
a presidential candidate. Mr.. McAdoo
Is pledged. by implication ut least, TO
abide by the decision Of the confer
ence and to withdraw from the race
II his friends decide he no longer is
the man they regard as having the
best chance Of election.
New booms already are springing
up and old ones taking on new life as
the result of coupling McAdoo's name
with oil interests. and should he de-
clare himself out of the running there
Is every promise Of a grand struggle
to gather up the'shattered fragments
OF his broken following, In addition
to Senator Underwood. whose CAM
paign is well organized and seems to
be making steady progress, potential
democratic candidates figuring in yes
terday's political dispatches to The
Star arc Senator Ralsen OF Indiana,
Senator Reed OF Missouri, Senator
Glass Of Virginia. former Gov. Cox of
Ohio, former Vice President Marshall
OF Indiana, John w. Davis OF West
Virginia, Gov. Smith and Senator
COPELAND of New York. CordelI Hull
of Tennessee, chairman Of the demo-
cratic national committee. and bring
ing up the rear, but with colors still
flying. William Jennings Bryan Of
Florida and elsewhere
Doheny and Sinclair oil certainly
has demonstrated that II is lacking
in power to still troubled waters, es-
pecially when the waters happen to
be political. Everywhere the dis
closures OF the Senate investigating
committee continue to constitute the
chief topic of political conversation.
with the country In an attitude of
hoping for the best, but fearing the
worst. as to further disclosures.
While political opinion continues
In a state OF ferment and uncertainty
the week end survey Of the national
sltuation indicates two outstanding
major facts. One IL that neither the
personal strength of President Cool
idse nor the prospect that he will be
the republican nominee has been seri-
ousiy impaired. The other is that
while the public has almost unani-
mously acquitted Mr.. McAdoo Of any
personal wrong da2Ag the fact that he
was attorney for the oil interests has
given his presidential boom a set
PACK. at least temporarily. But II is
disclosed also that Mr.. McAdoo has a
loyal and an undismayed following,
and that should he decide, after to-
morrow's Chicago conference, to con-
tinue in the race he is likely to re-
main the man the field will have to
beat.
The same American sense OF fair
play which applauded President Cool
idge's stand in the matter Of the Sem
ate DENLY custer resolution seems
now to be working in behalf Of Nc
Adoo. 1t is being asked why, II there
was no faint of wrong in his oil at
torneyship. he should Be made to SUI
fer politically because OF IL. But
that Ia public sentiment and more or
less emotional. Politics, when IT gets
down to brass lacks. Is hard boiled,
the final decision on their Convention
time Judgment as to whether McAdoo
or some other man will be the strong
est possible vote-getter for the demo-
cratic ticket.
The democratic factional fight in
Strengthened out and Senator Under
wood to be Practically assured of a
solid delegation from his home state.
This Is important, as the Underwo God
campaign elsewhere has been weak
ened by the lack Of unanimity in his
support at home. Peace in Alabama
was secured through an Underwood
concession TO the "drys." consisting
of an agreement that former Gov.
Conner shall name half the delegates
to the national convention and also
the Alabama member of the commit
tee on resolutions.
Thus the possibility of q dry fight
against Underwood is removed at
home, but 1t Immediately breaks out
again in Kentucky. where democrats
have been aroused by a report that
an alleged representative of the
brewery interests Is to have room
with and be closely AFFILIATED with
Underwood headquarters at the New
York convention. Sentiment in Ken
lucky. famous for its whisky in for
mer days, is almost fanatically dry.