Evening star., 1931-12-31
ThePolitical Mill
By G.. Could Lincoln.

The third-party idea crops up peren-
nially, but, like the century plant, it
seems to bloom effectively about once a
hundred years. 1t has been taken out
and busted off in the last few days
again. But there seems little substance
to the suggestion that a third party
presidential ticket will be launched next
year. In the first place, although the
progreSsiyes insist that a new party
movement must come from the ground
roots, meaning the common people,
such movement must have leader
capable OF inspiring his followers
There is none today, unless it be the
Senator from Idaho William E. Borah,
and Senator Borah is not likely to
undertake the job, though he has been
urged by many friends to get into the
presidential race next year. 1t is true
that he has appeared to be more
friendly to third-party movement and
leadership in recent months. But that
Is still long way from taking the
plunge.
third-party movement takes money
and organization. The political ma
chinery is in the hands of the two old
parties, and the building of a political
machine Is no overnight lob. Then a
thlrd-party movement to be successful
must have some great basic principle in
politics to inspire it. At present none
OF these requisites seems to be in the
hands of the progressives. The pro-
greSsiYes who belong to the Democratic
party are intent this year and next
upon bringing about victory for their
own OLD party. And the Democratic
platform next year probably will pledge
liberal party platform would pledge,
barring certain radical experiments
which would not appeal to a large part
OF the voters. 1t looks as though the
third-party movement would wear itself
out in talk and more talk. Theodore
Roosevelt, in 1912, with plenty of none
tary backing was unable to get any,
where in his race for the presidency.
A dozen years later the senior La Fol-
lete, who also had great personal fol-
lowing in the country, had even less
success in his attempt to launch
new party. 1t is said that there is
more unrest in the country today than
there was in 1912 and in 1924, due to
hard times. This may be true, but
the voters are more likely to use the
Democratic party as a club with which
to vent their diSapproval on the G. O.P.
than to seek new alignments. And the
group OF Republican progressives who
are dissatisfied with the Hoover admin
istration probably realize that they have
no real chance of winning with third
party ticket anyway.
A split among the Republicans would.
in all probability, merely have the effect
of making Democratic victory certain,
just as the Bull Moose split in 1912
brought Woodrow Wilson and the Demo-
Gratis into power. In 1924 the progress
sive movement helped Coolidge instead
of the Democrats. But the Democrats
had split SO badly as a result of the
rows in the Madison Square Garden
convention that there was no hope for
them. In that year Progressive Demo-
Gratis, like Senator Burton K. Wheeler
of Montana, joined the La Toilette
movement. 1t does not seem that the
creation of a new party now would help
the President and the regular Repub-
licans in the 1882 campaign. The
Democrats are too intent upon sticking
together and winning. The next Demo-
cratic National Convention has, it is
true, possibilities OF another Madison
Square Garden affair if the factions
seeking the presidential nomination go
to the mat as they did in 1924. But
the wiser heads in the party are council
ing harmony and the Ku Klux Klan
issue Is not now so Virulent.
X x X
The Republican fortunes look to be at
low ebb today. Whether they can i'm
prove in the next six months is doubt
full. Only great reversal in the
10 CD n In
ident Hoover has laid his cards on the
table. He has his policies for the re-
construction of business and industry in
this country. 1t does not seem likely
that he will deviate from the course
which he has picked out. If he goes
down it will be with his flag flying,
which is lot better than striking his
colors. He is not likely to attempt any
fy-bynight panaceaS in an effort to
rehabilitate himself and his party in the
good graces of the voters. Even his
enemies on Capitol Hill among the Re
publicans and the Democrats as well,
admit that he is trying to do the best
he can for the country and that his is
a clean administration. Their claim is,
however, that it is not popular admin
istration, and that he cannot win.
There are some of the Progressive
who have to run for re-
election to the House and Senate in
1882. Some of them much prefer to
run as Republicans, with the Republi-
can nomination, than as members of a
third party. There is Senator Nye Of
North Dakota, for example, who is up
for reelection, and Senator Brookhart
Of Iowa, Blaine Of Wisconsin and Nor
beck of South Dakota Brookhart had
an unfortunte experience in Iowa in
1924 when he sought reelection as
Republican at the same time that he
the La Toilette Wheeler third
party presidential ticket. The regular
turned on him and elected
his Democratic opponent, Steck. All
The progressive Republicans in the
House must seek reelection, too, or
stand aside, which they are not likely to
do. These are matters that have to be
,aken into consideration when there is
5alk Of third party movement.
The friends of Gov. Albert C. Richie
If Maryland are taking heart over re-
,ent gossip about the Democratic pres
dental situation. They see Baker of
Ohio fading out Of sight because OF his
ltterances fayoring American adher-
nee to the League of Nations. They
nave heard that Gov. RooSevelt's band
wagon has run into some deep ruts.
They believe that the Governor of
Maryland is going to be very much in
he running when the time comes for
in the national convention of
he Democrats They do not believe
hat the Democratic party at this juno
.ure is likely to turn to the head of a |
zig corporation, like owen D. Young, |
II to a Chicago banker, like Melvin |
rraylor, or to dry, like George White, |
Governor of Ohio, or to Southerners, like |
Robinson of Arkansas and Garner of |
Texas. The logical man for the place, !