Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-30

out his public career he has been wet
As between Gov. Roosevelt and Mr.. Cox,
II Wetness were to be the sole measure
Of availability, the latter would have
the advantage
But, despite the stress laid upon the
wet issue by former Gov Smith and Mr.
Raskob, there are many Democratic
leaders who believe that repeal will
enter into the 1882 campaign, II at all,
only as a collateral issue. Unless the
country experiences in the next few
months an amazing economic recovery,
it is rather generally conceded by the
party strategists that the business de-
preston and unemployment will be the
controlling issue.
On this issue Mr. Cox has had some
thing to say in one or two public
speeches, but no one knows what rem
edies If any, he has for the situation
In this respect he is in the same posi-
ton as most critics of the Hoover adj
ministration, but Gov Roosevelt has
thrown out hints that he has a program
which departs sufficiently from tradi-
tional conceptions of the relation of
Government to business to cause bust
ness some uneaSinesS.
Mr. Cox. on the other hand. has con-
fined himself to criticism of the present
administration. He has attributed the
depression. in part at least, to the tariff
bill passed by the last Congress. He
has said he was against unwilling un-
employment. In place of the technical
engineering" now guiding the country,
ne has insisted we must provide the
human engineering, which will assume
the burden of unemployment as the
social risk 1t is" He has spoken sympa-
thetically of old age pensions and
liberal policy toward public utilities.
Still. nothing like a definite pro-
gram has come from Mr.. Cox, and If
it develops that the Democratic leaders
are forced to take compromise caf1di-
date they will find nothing embarrass-
ingly definite in the record of Mr.. Coxs
recent utterances.
Mr.. Cox has taken no position on the
power issue. a high card in the Roose-
Welt hand. What Gov. Roosevelt pro-
poses to do about water power and the
control of public utilities, although
thus far presented only in half-lights,
is the question that concerns power
full investment group in the approach
ing campaign. There was nothing on
the 1920 Democratic platform relating
to power: there was a mild protest
against the abandonment of the Muscle
Shoals nitrogen enterprise. Utilities
have no reason to fear Mr.. Cox unless
he develops ideas on the subject which
he has not yet uttered.
Entered Journalistic Work.
Born in Jacksonburg, Ohio. March 81.
1870, James M Cox after little formal
schooling. taught school for a while
before entering upon a Journalistic
career which became his life work. He
worked as a reporter on q weekly news
paper and later joined the staff of a
Cincinnati daily. After serving as sec
rotary to a member of Congress from
q Cincinnati district, Mr.. Cox in 1908
was elected to Congress. Before that
he had acquired the Dayton News. the
first of a string OF four newspapers
which he had built up into f1ourishing
properties by the time he was called
to lead his party in the gubernatorAl
race In 1912. He was defeated after
his first term as Governor by Frank B.
Willis Cox was reelected again in
1916 and was serving his third term
when he became the national standard
bearer of his party.
Mr. Cox as Governor made what is
generally conceded to be good record
He reorganized the State government,
brought about the passage Of work
mems compensation law, a child labor
law and O model school code. Prior to
his election as Governor Ohio had been
regarded as a fairly safe Republican
stronghold Although he was elected
by narrow margins, Coxs repeated sue
cess in turning the State into the
Democratic column in statewide cleo
lions contributed largely to his strength
as presidential candidate.
Since 1920 Ohio has been regarded
as close State, but it is still so likely
to go Republican m presidential years
that a candidate from Ohio would he
regarded as a great aid by the Demo-
Gratis in carrying the Nation.
An Ohioan in 1882 doubtless would
be acceptable to the Democrats of the
Middle West and the South If the
Roosevelt b0oln eollapSes and the party !
decides 10 go outsldan.of New York for
q caudidate. Cox as nas been stated |
II not now even favottte son, but
political leaders are not abe to foreteIl |
Whefe the lightning wilknstIike.