Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-20
BY GEORGE VAN sLYKE.


NEW YORK, September 1.-the
left wing Of the Republican party Is
swinging into action for the 1882 presi-
dental campaign. This threat OF
another impending clash Is creating
a surprising lot of apprehension In
the Hoover ranks.
There is ample evidence that the
movement may be taking dennne Iorm;
Senator Borah Of Idaho, dean and ideal
leader of the left wing, has smiled
this week with approval on the sew
eral suggestions Of presenting his name
as a candidate for the nomination for
President.
Formation Of O Borah-for- President
Club In Virginia has pleased the SEN
ator and other such clubs are being
organized in other States. Members OF
the Progressive bloc have stated here
that, Of their knowledge, his attitude
toward the boom Is very friendly. I'M
mediately following the first announce
ment Of definite move on his behalf
the Senator made haste to declare his
policy for a five-year international
naval holiday and further statements
are expected from him soon not in
sympathy with the Hoover views.
y q
Senator Brookhart Of Iowa, long 3
troublemaker for the Republicans In his
own State and the Washington ad-
ministration, says that he hopes Mr.
Borah will be q candidate; that the
Progressive element forming the bloc
in Congress must put forward its own
candidate and, further, that II Borah
does not want TO take the lead La Fol-
Iette. Norris or johnson would be
acceptable.
It Is established already that the Pro-
gressive bloc, never restrained In an
expression of its position, will be articu-
late in the coming campaign through
some definite organization. just what
form it may take is to be determined
in further conversations and confer
ences. The political interest at the
moment is In appraising the conse-
quences Of such movement.
Twice in this century the third-party
bolt has been attempted on gigantic
scale and twice met with stunning de-
feat. 1t is not popular venture in
American politics. The party organiza-
tons have become powerful enough TO
resist such attacks or splits. But the
left wing unQuestionably Is Q potent
factor within the party. II 1t operates
inside the organization. 1t Is when
1t steps outside that 1t fails.
The enterprise now in the making In
Washington Is obviously and designe0ly
a gesture against the denomination OF
President Hoover. It's operations and
influence will be in the national conven-
ton and there It may be strong factor.
1t is not expected, at least at this time.
to grow to the proportion OF tnlrd
fNlr In 1A election
It would mean much more In relation
to the platform and nomination than in
the election, In all probability. Natur-
ally, President Hoover and the party
leaders would not like to see the move
ment 60 to the length Of 1912 bolt,
with third candidate for President in
the field. Even IL no more successful
than other similar undertakings, an open
break might be disastrous next year,
when Hoover and his party face bad
situation. Further detection from the
party than now is in evidence might
contribute decisively to q Democratic
victory.
The Progressive bloc, If organized for
the convention next June, would be in
strong position to influence platform
making, and that in all probability will
be its objective. Under threat of going
into the campaign, the Senate group
may force its policies into the platform
or at least bring about compromise,
which will represent partial victory for
its views.
In one respect this projected move
ment may help Mr.. Hoover. It may
head OF Gov. Pinchot Of Pennsylvania,
who seeks the leadership Of the radical
wing and would like to be candidate
for the nomination for President. He
would be showed aside by the organiza-
ton Of a real Progressive bloc led by the
Senate group. The Governor might
swing into line II he desired, but he
could not expect to take the leadership
Of the movement. That, at least, would
relieve Hoover of the Pinchot annoy
ance.
This radical wing is dry, including
the Pinchot element. For that reason
1t is not likely to make much Roadway
in some OF the big Eastern States where
prohibition is a vital issue. II the Pro-
gressive leaders we're wet, they might
make real trouble for the President by
tying UP with the anti-prohibition Re-
publican leaders in the East.
There is one vital consideration which
will act as q deterrent on q serious Pro-
gressive split in the 1882 campaign.
That is the financial factor. It takes
real money TO finance q national polite
cal movement. Economics and the de-
precision may or may not be the para
mount issue In the campaign. but IL is
certain that finances Will be the prime
factor In both the party organizations
The leaders are going to have q hard
time to get their necessary campaign
budgets, The Democrats inherit half
miilIon-dollar deficit at the outset and
the Republicans must start at scratch
10 build up their funds.
In these days 1t may not be easy to
get big contributions, How a third
party campaign could be financed by
depending on the small contributions OF
enthusiasts Is impossible to inquire. 1T
Is quite probable, therefore, that no
mater now formidable the Progressive