Evening star., 1927-06-03
COOLIDGE LEADING
CHO|CE,POLL SHOWS
rs Per Cent of Republicans
for denomination, Survey
by Burke DiscIOSeS.

President Coolidge will be the choice
of the Republicans for the presidential
nomination in 1928, according to a
poll of the best minds" in the party
conducted by former Representative
James Francis Burke Of Pennsylvania,
at one time secretary of the Repub-
lican national committee. The results
of the poll, undertaken by Mr.. Burke
months ago and now made public.
shows 76 per cent for the denomination
and reelection of President Coolidge.
AS a party and public duty, the poll
determines, according to Mr.. Burke,
the President must be a candidate to
succeed himself.
Mr.. Burke's poll was begun year
ago, with a list of persons regarded
by governors of States, Senators and
Representatives and members of the
Republican national committee as un.
biased and familiar with political sen-
timent. Massachusetts was eliminated.
as the h,me of the President, and also
Pennsylvania.
Frank o. Lowden was second in the
poll with 10 per cent. The other IA
per cent was scattered, the following
leading in this order: Vice President
Dawes. Secretary Hoover, Speaker
Longworth. Charles L. Hughes and
Secretary Mellon.
Claims Peoples Confidence.
The second question as to "why"
any candidate is the most available
brought an overwhelming response to
this effect:
THE confidence of the people in the
integrity of President Coolidge gives
him a strength that transcendS all
others. His persistent adherence to
the homely principles and practices
of Sound common sense, his rugged
belief in fundamental Republicanism
and his aversion to all forms of poll
ical shams and expediences, all of
which have resulted in economy and
efficiency in government and reflected
itself in the country's prosperity: con-
stitute the keynote of the country's
opinion"
William Allen White furnishes
striking sample of the general ex-
preston, Mr.. Burke says. Mr.. White
wrote:
Because Calvin Coolidge represents
the present attitude of the American
mind. The desire for prosperity and
stability in business is the ruling
passion of the times"
OlVeS Reasons Tor support.
1.-THE reasons in support of Low
den's friends are his familiarity with
agricultural problems, his ability as
an administrator and the possession
of many Coolidge characteristics"
Mr.. Burke continued.
Gen. Dawes is admired because of
his courage and business ability.
Secretary Hoover because of his
.yxrId la
ITO the question, Who is our best
second choice?' fewer than 800 ex-
pressed any interest in second
choice. But those who did indicated
the following:
'Lowden, 76: Hoover, 20; Dawes. 81;
,Eongworth, SO. with the remaining
votes scattered among Charles Z.
Hughes, Secretary Mellon, Senator
Moses, Henry Ford and Senators
Borah, Curtis. Watson, Deneen, Golf
and Edge.
Twelve replies suggest President
Coolidge as second choice, these ~
fearing only the third-term issue.
THE general reason favoring the
selection Of Lowden, Hoover, Dawes
or Longworth as the best second
choice is the record of the man him
self and his strength in certain Sec
tlons of the country or with certain
elements in the country.
Divided ON Principal Issues.
ITO the question, What in their
order are the most important national
issues of the present day and what
attitude should we assume toward
them in our PLATFORM the answers
vary.
'They lead in the following order:
Continuation of Coolidge policies, econ
omy and efficiency in Government ad-
ministration, protective tariff, tax re.
duction, farm relief, foreign policy.
law enforcement, repeal Of prohibition
and foreign debt settlements. The
answers suggest 60 different items as
important national issues.
ITO the question, What Is our
party's greatest weakness?' the most
pronounced factors are: Failure to
enforce prohibition. Failure to aid
agricultural interests. Failure to
understand Middle West problems.
Lack of orga nization. Foreign policy
Other items mentioned as weaknesses
are: Heavy expenditures in elections.
So-called radicals in Congress.
ITO the question, what Democrat
would be hardest to defeat?' the
replies lnQlcdte tnaL GOV. smith Is
far in the lead Of all others. The
three names suggested by the greatest
number of replies are: Gov. Smith, so
per cent; james A. Reed. 10 per cent;
William G. McAdoo. 8 per cent.
"Other names which have been sug-
gested by a few of the replies as
possible Democratic candidates follow:
Gov. DOnahey of Ohio, former
Secretary Meredith, Senator Glass,
Atlee Pomerene, Gov. Ritchie, Senator
Walsh Of Montana, and Franklin
Roosevelt.
'Those who suggest Gov. Smith as
the hardest Democrat to defeat declare
that his strength lies in his record in
political life in New York, his ability
to carry New York State, his probable
ability to carry the South and his
popular appeal to the people because
of the way in which he has succeeded
in raising himself from his humble
origin to his present station"