Evening star., 1927-08-14

fret last and all time for the nomination OF
President Coolidge, and that he himself was
"too old" But the President has taken himself
out Of the picture as effectively as he can. Mr..
Hughes is apparently in the pink of condition
for a man of his years--he is 65 years old and
would be almost 81 at the time he entered the
White House. should he be elected next year.
At present Mr.. Hughes is in Europe.
Mr. Hughes was the party standard bearer
N 1915. He lost by a shade to Woodrow Wilson,
largely because of stupid political blunders
made in California by his managers, and be-
cause Of the Wilsonites slogan He kept us
out of war" Thousands upon thousands OF
voters feel that he was the real choice of
ma jority of the people then and that he should
have been elected and this feeling makes him
the choice of many of these thousands for the
nomination next year. His record as Governor
of New York, on the bench and as Secretary Of
State has commended him to the people.
**
On the other hand. there will be those who
paint Mr.. Hughes A friend of the League of
Nations and the World Court. Much will be
made OF his leanings toward the league and the
court by the irreconcilables. 1t seems scarcely
likely, however, in view of the positive stand
which has been taken by this country against
entry into the league that this issue be
revived against Mr.. Hughes
The fact that Mr. Hughes comes from New
York will be urged as particular reason for
his nomination. both because of the large cleo
toral vote cast by the Empire State and because
many Republicans believe that Gov. Al Smith
is to be nominated by the Democrats and that
Hughes would he the best bet barring President
Coolidge, to run against the popular governor
in New York.
Herbert Hoover, Secretary of Commerce and
former food administrator of war days must
be reckoned with. His popularity in the country
is great, though with the politicians it has not
been marked Business looks to him as both
L safe and an able administrator lie is held
TO be an ideal candidate for President by many
at time when the country needs business
administration to reap the full benefit of the
great commercial growth and development
which has come Americas way. He appeals
TO the imagination of the American people as
the trouble man who has brought relief to
millions in Russia, Belgium and other countries
abroad during the war period and Immediately
afterwards More recently he has placed
great section of the United States in his debt
by his mastery handling of the Mississippi
food relief Indeed he would be the recipient
of thousands Of votes in the States of the lower
Mississippi Valley which other Republican
could hope for. Even though he might not
carry any of these States in the general elec-
ton, because they are fundamentally politically
Democratic, he should stand an excellent chance
OF obtaining the Republican delegations from
those States to the coming national convention.
*
Opponents Of Mr.. Hoover in the wheat and
corn belts charge him with opposing the Nc
Nary-Haugen farm relief bill. They charge him.
too. with having fixed the price of wheat during
the war at $2.20 bushel. when the price in the
open market was lowering around $500, and
they also lay against him the operation Of the
Government grain corporation during the war,
which in the end netted the Government some
$50 900 900 or $70.000.000 profit. profit which,
they say. should have gone to the farmers.