Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-05-16
.POMERENELOOMS
ASSENATEFACTOR
Democrats May Draft For
mer Member to Oppose
Willis in Ohio Race.

An effort to draft former Senator
Alice Pomerene as a candidate for
the Democratic nomination for the
Senate at the Ohio primaries, August
10 is under way.
That Senator Pomerene would be
a formida BILE opponent IL admitted by
Republicans from Ohio now in Wash
: ington. But whether Pomerene be
the candidate or some one else. the
party leaders are confident that Sen
ator Willis, whose denomination by
the Republicans seems as sure as
night follows day. will be reelected.
Senator Willis is an ardent dry.
Senator Pomerene voted against adop-
ton of the resolution proposing the
eighteenth amendment to the Consti-
tuition. If Senator Pomerene should
enter the contest for the Senate this
Fall the wet and dry issue may come
to the fore again in Ohio.
Pomerene Doomed.
Representative Fletcher Democrat,
who halls from Marion, Ohio, the late
President Harding's home, has writ
ten a letter to Thomas T.. Dye, Dem
ocratic State chairman, in which he
suggests that Pomerene is "democ-
l.lcy'S man of the hour" Mr.. flctch-
er. himself a potential candidate for
the senatorial nomination. said that
one rnMfon he had withheld announc-
ing his candidacy for the Democratic
nomination was he had been waiting
for definite information concerning
Senator Pomerene's decision in this
matter.
Senator Pomerene is at present con-
nected with one of the most import
ant law firms in Cleveland. He is
also engaged as special counsel by
the Government in its prosecution OF
the naval oil reserve lease cases
against Fall, Doheny and Sinclair.
Whether he will consent to be DRAFT
ed for the Democratic senatorial
nomination is problematical.
In the opinion of Mr. Fletcher, as
expressed in his letter to State Chalf
man Dye. many Republicans would
vote for Senator Pomerene. If the
sentiment for Pomerene continues TO
grow as it has been growing recently,
Mr.. Fletcher said, he would not wait
longer, but upon his own initiative
would voluntarily withdraw his name
from the list of those who have been
mentioned for the senatorship.
Presidential Bee Buzzes.
Should Senator Pomerene be nom
mated and win the election. Mr..
Fletcher visualizes him as a strong
contender for the Democratic presi-
Dental nomination in 1928.
THE welfare of the Democratic
party is more important than the
political advancement of any indi-
vidual Democrat" said Mr.. Fletcher.
land it is my opinion that the fewer
candidates iu a primary contest the
better for the party and all concerned.
IF Pomerene should defeat Willis
for the Senatorship It is quite probable
that he would be considered by the
next Democratic national convention
for the presidency. There are forces
of misguided fanaticism at work right
now which. by splitting the Demo
cratic party into irreconcilable fac
lions, are threatening to convert the
next Democratic convention into
political holocaust not unlike the
Madison Square tragedy Of 1924.
Seldom in all its history has the
Democratic party needed a leader to
unite and inspire with confidence the
Democrats and independent voters of
the Nation as that leader Is needed
now. find it is with this thought in
mind that n great many are begin
ming TO look to Pomerene as democ-
racy's man Of the hour,
Donahey for President.
There has been little talk of Gov.
Donahey of Ohio, the Democrat who |
carried the State by 10000 while |
President Coolidge was carrying it
hv 100000 votes over the combined
Davis and lie Toilette strength. as !
a probable candidate for the presi- |
dental nomination in 1928. Gov |
Donahey is to be a candidate to !
succeed himself again this Fall and |
so far thMre has been little to indi- |
cate the Republicans have a chance |
to defeat him.
The senatorial race up to the pres |
ont time has been shaping well for
Senator Willis. He is without any |
real opposition for the Republican
The Democrats who |
have announced so far for the SEN /.
atorial nomination are Judge Flor |
ence E Allen of the Ohio Supreme |
Court. Cyrus Locher. former prose- |
cutting attorney of Cuyahoga County |
and at present director of commerce. |
md Frank Gentsch, a lawyer. all of |
The organization in the |
has Endorsed Miss Allen. |
There is the chance also that Mr.. |
Fletcher will get into the race. unless |
POmeren0 becomes IL cdnulOdle' al |
other words, the Democrats appar-
emily are in for a contest over the |
senatorial nomination. and such con- |
tests do not tend for party solidarity |
or strength.
Judge Aliens Candidacy.
Judge Aliens candidacy is opposed /,
by some Democrats because she is |
q woman. and is supported by others |
particularly women--because she Is |
p woman. When she was elected /
Judge of the Supreme Court of the |
State, she ran in a non partisan cleo |
ton If she runs for the Senate, |
however. it will be a party affair |
q nd a different matter.
In 1920 Senator Willis defeated |
his Democratic opponent by $4,000 !
y otes. He had previously served as |
governor and as member of the |
House in Washington. He was APP |
pointed by the governor January 10. |
1921. to succeed President Harding
in the Senate.
When Senator Fess. Republican,
defeated Senator Pomerene for the
Senate in 1922. Pomerene ran 3d.
900 votes behind Fess. The oppoSi-
ZION of labor, particularly the rail-
road employees. was reported to be
an important factor against Senator
Pomerene in that race.