Evening star., 1927-12-09

1t will not surprise certain keen OBJ
servers at Washington if the next
withdrawal from the Republican pres
idential race is that of Frank .. Low
den. Selection of Kansas City as the
convention city IS considered the de-
velopment that will bring about the
Illinoisan's retirement. Those who
look for Lowden's abdication reason
that it was in Missouri that the Nat
Goldstein 81, 500 delegate-bribe episode
occurred on the eve of the 1920 G.. o.
p. convention. The former Illinois
governor has never ceased to plead
that he personally had no knowledge
of the affair. But its nauseous odors
blighted the cause which was the in
tended beneficiary. Such things stick
in American politics. Some think the
sending of the Republican conclave to
Missouri was a deep-dyed piece Of
anti-Lowden strategy, which is now
about to fructify in his retirement.
The immediate result would have to
be a showing of Charles G. Dawes
colors. With Lowden out the Vice
President will have nowhere else to
go, on the basis Of his public state
ments to date.
Kansas City, on the face OF things,
is about as neutral territory as the
Republicans could pick for convention
purposes. It's in the heart of the corn
belt which likes Dawes. It's in
the southwestern Mississippi Valley,
which has made a hero of Hoover.
It's part and parcel of the disaffected
farm country, of which Lowden is the
chief prophet It's. across the Mis-
souri, River from Kansas, which is for
Curtis. And Missouri has no favorite
son. The long and bitter battle in the
national committee over the conven-
tion city seemed to many members
prophetic of the struggle whichll be
waged for the presidential nomination
in the Gateway to the Southwest"
next June.
Roy o. West of Chicago, secretary
of the Republican National Commit
tee, is one of the scholars in politics.
The only piece of jewelry visible on
him while he spent the whole of De-
cember 7 calling the roll of States
was the Phi Beta Kappa key dangling
from his watch-chain. Though an lili-
noisan. West went to college in Indi-
ana and was graduated from De Pauw
in 1890. He was a member of the
first Phi Beta Kappa chapter ever es-
tablished on Hoosier soil-Alpha. Last
June West had the rare privilege of
helping to initiate his own daughter,
Helen Louise, into Alpha chapter on
her own graduation from De Pauw,
fifth in class Of 339. West grew up
in politics with the late Fred Upham,
beloved treasurer of the Republican
national committee.
* M X
Senators-elect Smith Of Illinois and
Ware of Pennsylvania may be Kept
cooling their heels outside of the Sen
ate throughout the entire session. In
the case of Smith, the Jim" Reed
special investigation committee Will
look into his credentials at it's sweet
pleasure-which means any time be-
tween now and the crack of doom:
In the case of Ware, cousin Dave
Reed of Pennsylvania brought about
the inclusion of q phrase that cousin
jim" Is to function within 60 days,
if practicable" The Slush-fund sleuth
from Missouri will be the judge of the
"practicability" Of early procedure.
Since March 4, 1927, when they
technically became members of the
Senate, Messrs. Smith and Ware have
enjoyed all the perquisites of the fin
est club in the world. Iney We Drawn
salary, used luxurious suites of offices.
have been allowed clerk hire, and
availed themselves of all the other
rights of full-fedged solons. Now that
the "gold-dust twins" have been de-
MED an opportunity to qualify by TAX
ing the oath of office, the question
arises as to whether they may hence
forward exercise these privileges.
II X N X
Mrs. Cordell Hull, wife Of the Repre-
sentative from Tennessee and former
chairman of the Democratic national
committee, was asked the other night
at dinner whom her party Is going
to nominate for President in 1928.
THE Democratic party in 1925" Mrs.
Hull replied, 'is not going to nominate
a man for the presidency. It's going to
elect one"
\ II
In the press galleries Of Congress
this week several distinguished
statesmen -scribes have taken their