Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-04
The Editors Poll.

Inc EdltorS FOIL.
The day of the presidential poll is
cgain at hand The outlook and In
dependent presents a digest Of the opin-
ion of Democratic and independent edi-
tors on the subject Of the Democracy's
choice of a presidential candidate next
year. The editors, 1t appears, believe
that Franklin D. Roosevelt, Governor Of
New York, will be the nominee. Those
in eleven States favor the ppmina-
ton of Gov. Roosevelt, while In nine
States they favor the nomination Of
Newton D. Baker Of Ohio. Because the
nine States in which the editors favor
Baker have a greater number OF dele
gates in the next national convention
than have the eleven States in which
the editors give Roosevelt as their
personal preference, the poll has been
interpreted as meaning that Baker is
the personal choice Of the editors over
Roosevelt. The constituencies of the
editors, rather than the editors them
selves, are held to be the deciding fac
tors in this poll. However. the editors
in only three States-Texas, Oklahoma
and Alabama-express the opinion that
the nomination of Gov. Roosevelt can
be stopped.
Some of the editors replying to the
poll favor other candidates. For eX-
ample, Owen D. Young is ranked third
in the list Of preferences, and former
Gov. Alfred E. Smith fourth. The fifth
place goes to Melvin A. Traylor, Chi
cago banker; sixth place to former
Senator James A. Reed of Missouri and
seventh to Gov. Richie Of Maryland.
Somehow or another the editors seem
to have overlooked other presidential
possibilities, among them Senator Robin
son of Arkansas, the Democratic leader
of the Senate. and Gov. George White
of Ohio, not to mention Senator James
Hamilton Lewis, who already has the
Endorsement of the Democratic State
Central Committee of Illinois for the
nomination.
The Democratic National Convention
at which the nomination for President
will be made will not be held until next
June. Admittedly and despite the fact
that Gov. Roosevelt appears to be far
in the lead for the nomination at this
time, the selection of the Democratic
standard bearer has not yet been made.
The Democrats who gather at the con-
vention next year will have in mind
first of all the picking of a candidate
who they believe can win against the
Republicans in the general election.
Nest of them believe now that the
democracy has the best chance to win
a national election next year since the
World War. The delegates will not be
inclined to take chances. Nor are the
delegates likely to be willing to tie the
national convention into a bow knot in
hope of bringing out a dark horse
candidate. For years the party has
sought harmony, believing that through
harmony victory may be attained.
The availability of the candidates,
therefore. will be carefully considered
by the delegates long before they reach
the convention city, which is yet to be
selected. The political strength Of Gov.
Roosevelt in his own State is matter
which will be given the closest scrutiny.
The Democrats have far greater
chances of success if they can put New
York in the Democratic column. Roose-
welt was elected Governor last year
with lead of more than 100000 votes.
That is. something about which the
Democrats are thinking. Many Of them
believe that he can carry the State
in a presidential election. where Al
Smith failed, because of his popularity
upstate and because of the favor he
may attain with certain elements in
New York City which were opposed to
Smith in the last presidential CAM
paign.
The poll of the editors throws the
spotlight on Newton D. Baker. Mr..
Baker has generally been conceded to
be the most likely selection of the
Democrats for the nomination in the
event Roosevelt does not get it. Ohio
has been dubbed a mother of Presi-
dents. 1t is a pivotal State as well as
New York, and, in addition, Baker Is
rated man of great personal ability,
Of the type of the late President Wilson.