Evening star., 1927-08-14
The Great COP. Handicap of 1923

The charge that Mr.. Hoover fixed the price
Of wheat during the is denied by Repub-
Iicans here. Indeed, they say the S2.20 price
was fixed by the late President Woodrow
Wilson himself. In substantiation of this asser-
ton they point to an eleventh-hour plea made
to President Wilson by Senator Curtis OF
Kansas Republican leader of the Senate;
former Senator McCumber of North Dakota.
and several other Republican Senators from the
wheat country. They visited the President at
the White House, having been informed that
the price to be fixed for wheat was lower than
they believed it should be in justice to the
farmer. The day after their visit the price
was announced.
Mr. Hoover, however, is not without
strength in the Middle West and the Northwest.
All those who oppose the McNary Haugen bill,
and there many, will favor rather than
oppose his nomination. II the new administra-
tion farm bill which has been presented to the
President by Secretary Jardine should become
a law, or a similar measure, at the coming
session Of Congress, it is believed that the farm
issue would be largely taken out of the next
campaign, much to the benefit of Mr.. Hoover.
Recently Henry Ford has come out for Mr..
Hoover for President, and Senator Couzens Of
Michigan has taken similar stand. all of which
should materially aid him in obtaining the
Michigan delegation.
The attitude of Senator Hiram Johnson of
California toward the Hoover ca ndidacy will
be watched with no little interest. They have
been political enemies. In 1920 Johnson had
The California delegation in his pocket, and
Hoover, although popular with the people, did
not have look-in. Last Winter Senator
Johnson insisted he was entirely cured Of the
bite OF the presidential bee. that he had no
ambitions looking toward the White House.
But taking himself out Of the race is different
thing from standing idly by while Mr.. Hoover
is nominated.
arHi ijoct
may face is that of being hugged too tightly to
the bosom Of big business. If he becomes
known generally the candidate Of the inter-
ests, it may harm him. He is popular with
labor today, as with business, and doubtless his
friends will to it that the business label is
not too prominently displayed.
Some Of the old-timers are recalling the fact
that in 1920 there was a period when no one
knew whether Mr.. Hoover would seek the
Republican or the Democratic nomination for
President. Many Democrats were urging him
as their candidate. But Mr.. Hoover declared
in unequivocal terms at that time that he was
a Republican and had always been member
Of that party
Probably either Mr.. Hughes or Mr.. Hoover
would be acceptable to President Coolidge as
his successor. Both have served in his cabinet
and with distinction The policies OF the Gov.
ernment under Coolidge would continue prob
ably with little change with either Hughes or
Hoover in the White House. But the President
is to keep his hands off in the selection of his
successor, according to the word from the
Black Hills.
~
ForINer Gov. Frank o. Lowden of Illinois
has been the white hope" Of the McNary-
Haugenites for months. He has been the base
around which they have rallied their opposition
to the denomination of President Coolidge Now
Mr.. Coolidge has taken himself out of it, which
has been both encoura cement and a matter
of worry to the supporters of Mr.. Lowden
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