Evening star., 1924-06-05
PRESIDENT SILENT
ON RUNNING MATE
Friends Cannot See Hoover, Expert
Administrator, Tied to Un-
interesting Post.
LENR00T'S NAME IS HEARD
Is Classed as Progressive, But Sat-
isles Party.
By DAVID LAWRENCE.

Calvin Coolidge's advice on the sub
Ject of the vice presidency is being
much sought by the managers of the
Republican party. but to date they
nave drawn no definite commitment
as to individuals beyond the general
statement that several names men
toned TO him would be satisfac actory.
Mr.. Coolidge having been a Vice
President himself once cannot recon-
mend the life very heartily for there
Is nothing more uninteresting than
being Vice President unless it is
being vice presidential candidate.
An active man, especially one with
an administrative talent. doesn't rel
lSh the idea of sitting speechless in
the Senate chamber listening to the
monotonous debates and parliament
tary Wrangles. That's why friends
of Herbert Hoover can think of MOTH
ing more undesirable for AN active
personality like his than to be tied
down to presiding officers duties
while there are large projects like
water power, radio development and
the general program of the Depart
ment or Commerce to be worked out
in the next few years.
Gamble for Hoover.
MIR. Coolidge has offered no word of
dissent to the talk of the Hoover
candidacy. The Secretary himself is
opposed to il, but some of the friends
of the President are intrigued by the
slogan Coolidge and Hoover" and
they think it would be a vote-getter.
But supposing Mr.. Coolidge wins.
Mr. Hoover's service as a vote-getter
would end and he would be buried in
the vice presidency for four years.
then Mr.. Hoover'S political fortunes, SO
far as availability in 1928 is con-
cerned-and he is still a relatively
young man-would go by the boards.
Mr.. Hoover favored the league of
nations, has q splendid war record
and good administrative record
since the war. and is popular with
the woman voters. But his opportu-
mites for service, he feels, would be
greater if left to manage a govern
ment department, which is what
would happen if Mr.. Coolidge were
elected.
LOwden May BE Drafted.
Next to Mr.. Hoover, there are other
candidates who meet with presidential
favor They are, among others, Senator
Lenroot of Wisconsin and former Gov.
Frank o. Lowden of Illinois. The lat
ter doesn't want to make the race, but
may be drafted. There are certain rea-
sons why no man should decline vice
presidential nomination. and one Of
them could probably be given by Hiram
Johnson, who declined to be Warren
HardingS running mate in 1920. and
the other is the added circumstance that
this year especially the election NAV be
thrown into Congress for settlement,
and, m the event of a deadlock in the
House Of Representatives, the choice of
a President might devolve upon the
United States Senate. with the two lead
ing vice presidential nominees as the
ones from whom the next incumbent Of
the White House might be selected
Mr.. Coolidge can hardly recommend
that as a reason for acceptance, how
ever, as he expects to win and the
argument isn't making as much head
way with the hesitant ones as it
should.
LrnroOt il Progressive.
Senator Lenroot was TO have been
selected in 1920 when plans suddenly
went awry on the mention of Calvin
Coolidge's name in the last session of
the convention. Mr.. Lenroot Is of the
progressive school and hailing from
Wisconsin might be expected to add
some strength 10 the ticket espe-
cially with Mr.. LaFollette entering
the presidential race as an independ-
ent. Mr.. Lenroot was one of the
mild reservationists" group on the
league of nations issue and is thor
oughly acceptable to the regular or
ganization.
The Presidents wishes will be respect
ed, of course but the chances are that
the Republican convention Will not be-
gin its sessions with a hard and fast
understanding on the vice presidency.
waiting somewhat for the development
of the sentiment of the delegates For
already there is beginning to be heard
criticism that the Republican convention
is A ratification meeting and that a
few men are debating it's actions rather
than the Republican party as a whole.
Copyright. 1921