Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-19
WATSON TO SRUN
VICE PRESIDENCY
Indiana Senator Interested
in Campaign to Keep
Present Seat.

Senator James e. Watson of In
diana, Republican leader OF the Senate,
practically has eliminated his name
from consideration in connection with
the vice presidency. Senator Watson
yesterday, In response to inquiries,
said he was not q candidate for Vice
President that he was not seeking the
Office, and that he had fully concluded
to make the race for the senatorship In
Indiana to succeed himself
Senator Watson made it plain that
his ambition was to succeed himself as
Senator from Indiana and that he had
no desire to be Vice President. While
he Is entirely aware that he has
first-class political battle on in In
diana, as it will be a doubtful State
next year, he intends to make the fight
and accept the outcome, whatever it
may be. Senator Watson is sure of
denomination. but 1t Is well known the
desperate contest to defeat him and to
capture Hoosier senatorship.
Similar to Cannon's Stand.
The attitude of Senator Watson
toward the vice presidency Is similar
to that of the late Uncle Joe" Can
non, who in 1904 was offered the vice
presidency on the ticket with Theodore
Roosevelt. Uncle Joe" not only re-
fused the honor but took occasion to
set forth some characteristic views on
the exact place occupied by the Vice
President in the affairs of Government.
Senator Watson's decision to run for
the Senate and keep alOof from the
vice presidency aroused interest here
Yesterday in view of reports that he
would like to be nominated for Vice
President, but was not inclined TO pro-
iect his name into the situation unless
assured that Vice President Curtis did
not intend again to seek the ONCE.
There are conflicting reports as to
what Curtis intends TO do. Recent
stories are that he had decided to run
for the Senate in Kansas and that he
has so informed President Hoover,
whose guest he was last week end on
the Rapidan. But the Vice President
has emphatically denied such reports
and declared that any announcement
of his plans will await next Fall or
Winter and that he alone will make
the announcement.
Effect on Hoover Feared.
While the impression here is that he
plans to run for the Senate, there is
another side to the matter. This Is
that many Republican leaders feel that
for the Vice President to say that he
does not want denomination will be re-
garded by the country as meaning he
thinks President Hoover cannot be re-
elected. Hence they think he ought to
stand for denomination. The matter
takes on the more importance because
of the agricultural depression and
threats of a political revolution IN the
Midwest.
Under the circumstances. in spite of
the reports, Vice President Curtis is
planning to run for the Senate, 1t is as
serted here among leading Republicans
that no ANAL decision has been made
and that he may go on the ticket with
Mr.. Hoover and. as nominee for Vice
President, lead the fight to hold in line
the agricultural West. 1t is well I'M
derstood here that he is being advised
by some of his friends to do this.
Should Vice President Curtis step
out Of the picture as possibility for
second place. the names of Col. Theo-
dore Roosevelt, Secretary of War Pat
rick Hurley and Senator Dwight w.
Morrow will be the most prominent of
those considered. Another name like
ly to be mentioned is that Of Senator
Charles L. McNary of oregon, assistant
Republican leader Of the Senate and
an astute politician.
Chairma nship Also Debated.
With vice presidential gossip going
the rounds, there also is continued
speculation here about the chairman
ship of the Republican National Com
mittee Senator Simeon D. Tess Of
Ohio. present chairman, recently indi-
Gated he would hold the Craftsmanship
until the next national convention.
While this IS viewed here as not I'M
likely, there Is q lot of casting about
under the surface for q new chairman.
Ambassador Charles G. Dawes has been
urged to take the place, but has de-
clared he does not want it and would
not take It, His admirers have told
him that his acceptance of the chair
manship would "electrify' the Republic
an party. They have not abandoned
hope Of getting him to take the posi-
ton, with all its responsibilities, but
indications are he will refuse to be
drawn into 1t.
Postmaster General Walter e. Brown
has the support Of q number of the
veterans of the Republican Old Guard
They look on him as practical
political leader who could well fill the
Craftsmanship both before the conven-
ton and in the 1882 campaign.
Although present indications are
that Senator Fess will remain chair
man until the convention, it is con-
sidered possible here that the subject
will rise for consideration next De-
cember or January when the National
Committee meets in Washington to
take up the time and place of the con-
vention.