Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-10
Politics at Large
By C. Gould Lincoln.

had he been nominated Tor PRESIDENT
at Kansas City last June ne would
have accepted or rejected the nomina-
ton. In an article appearing In the
current issue Of the Cosmopolitan, en-
titled: "Why Did Not Choose to Run
and What I Did to Stop My Nomina-
tion," Mr.. Coolidge in no place answers
this question which vexed politicians up
to the very opening Of the Republican
national convention, during the con-
vention, and which it now appears will
not be answered unless the former
President writes smother article deal
ing with the matter.
Mr.. Coolidge has stated in the Cos
mopolitan why he did not choose to
run and what steps he took to prevent
his nomination. His reasons for not
choosing to run for President in 1928
ranged from a desire to protect the
health of Mrs. Coolidge to his belief
that q man cannot successfully serve
as President for a period Of more than
eight years and the fact that those
Presidents who have served eight years
have been able to accomplish little Of
a constructive nature In the latter part
Of their term of Office.
Mr.. Coolidge apparently did not
answer even in his own mind the
question as to what his course would
be If the convention should stampede
and nominate him. He did determine,
however, by sending word through his
secretary, Everett Sanders, to leaders
in Kansas City, that he would prevent
his nomination. The expression Of his
wish to these leaders, according to Mr.
Coolidge, prevented his nomination. Had
he not adopted this course, he would
have been nominated and elected, he
has since been told.
~ r i
Nowhere in his article does the for
mer President say that he favored any
particular candidate for the nomina-
ton. In fact, he gives the impression
that he kept q hands-off policy abso-
lutely. Mr. Coolidges estimate of the
which are held in many of the States
and their effect on the delegates is not
without interest. He believes that the
national convention picks usually the
man who has made the greatest pop
ular showing, unless there develops
some disqualification which bars him
President Hoover easily made the
strongest showing in the presidential
primaries of any of the men who were
candidates for the presidential nominal
ton. The same. by the way, was true
OF the Democratic nominee for Presi-
dent. Alfred E. Smith. The difficulty
OF preventing the nomination of a
candidate who has made a strong
showing through the fundamentally of
backing large number of "favorite-
son" candidates was emphasized at
Kansas City, and the former President
called attention to this tactical mistake
IL Is necessary to beat strong candi-
GATE with another strong candidate, OF
at least to stop him" with a strong
candidate in order to make possible the
selectlon OF compromise candidate.
Some of the politicians in Washing
ton are wondering today what signifi-
canoe. II any. may be attached to Mr..
Cool1dge'S statements In the Ccsmopoli-
tan so far as his own future course may
be concerned. There is group who be-
lleve that Mr.. Coolidge. who is now only
So years old. may well be picked as a
candidate for President in the future,
provided circumstances develop that
make a demand for his nomination.
And there arises in their minds the old
question as to whether the former Presi-
dent, If the nomination had been handed
to him at Kansas City, would have turn
ed it down. They are pointing out, too,
with an interim of four or more years
Mr.. Coolidge would go into the White
House without the handicap, If it is
one, OF having had an immediate pre-
ceding term as Chief Executive. 1t is
clear that Mr.. Coolidge does not con-
slider that a President who succeeds
to the White House while Vice Presi-
dent Is serving q FIRST" term In the
sense that it would be q violation OF
the third term tradition" or that the
country would so conStrue 1t.
In the ordinary course of events, II
President Hoover gives successful ad-
ministration, he will be renominated by
his party tor the presidency in 1882
And. judging by the way the President
has taken hold of the Office and hi;
capacity for dealing with public and
governmental questions, he will be re-
will be reelected. That would seem to
bar Mr.. Coolidge from the presidential
nomination for at least eight years. BY
that time he will be "a years old, by no
means a great age, but he might not
care to undertake the arduouS work OF
national campaign or the heavy duties
of President If he were again elected
Speculation continues to run regarding
the possibility of Mr.. Coolidge's becom-
ing a nominee for Senator next year
to succeed Senator Gillett. 1t would be
in keeping with his long career as q
public servant. But there are many
who believe he would not care to run for
the Senate or to serve in the Senate. He
has indicated that he wished to retire
to private life and to take up his part
in the life Of the country as a private
citizen.
Five days from now the Seventy-sec
ond Congress will convene in special ses-
sion. 1t will be President Hoovers first
opportunity to deal with the Congress
as Chief Executive. Upon his success
In bringing about the adoption of his
legislative program in this session OF
Congress may hang many things, in
GLIDING his denomination in 1882. The
PAuSpSClS ApE ISBlSLhtlOn III I1Ile Will IiAc
proposals which the Hoover administra-
ton will make are good. The farm bill
will be put through in conformity with
MIR. Hoover's recommendations, when
they are submitted to Congress, it Is
freely predicted. There is likely to be
more OF struggle over the tariff. 1t is
easy for blocs to form, composed OF
members who are willing to support the
demands Of each other in the matter of
tariff increases. Mr.. Hoover, it has
been said clearly, is not in favor Of a
general or drastic increase in the tariff
schedules. 1t now appears he will have
the backing Of majority of the House
ways and means committee in his po-
sition with regard to the tariff. That
committee has great weight in the
House, and as 1t drafts and reports the
bill to that body, so it is likely to pass.
X \ X \
Opinions differ as to the probable
length of the coming special session OF
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