Evening star., 1932-12-12
G. O. P. Maneuvering.

Republican leaders and near leaders
who have been in Washington during
the past few days are mulling over the
question Of what Is to be done about
"reorganizing" the Republican party.
Probably the chances are that nothing
will be done Immediately. Until March
4, when the present administration goes
out of office, it is exceedingly doubtful
that anything could be done, even II
the disgruntled Republicans undertook
to force an issue. But there is no
question that various elements and
groups in the G. o. P. have their eyes
on the national organization, as repre-
sented by the Republican National Com
mittee and its set-up here in Washing
ton. The anti-Hoover group, being on
the outside, is doing most OF the agi-
=SEsng at present. The Hoover group,
which controls, however, Is not asleep.
Whether the President is to be a
candidate for denomination and re-
election in 1896 Mr.. Hoover himself
could not predict with any certainty
today. Nor is he attempting such pre-
diction. What happens in the next
four years viii have great bearing
on the selection Of Republican stand
ard bearer for the contest for President.
Alfred Z. Smith, the Democratic can
didate for President in 1928, was asked
soon after his defeat that year whether
he would be q candidate in 1882. His
reply was that man was fool who
undertook to say four years In advance
what he would do four years later. In
the end Mr.. Smith became candidate
for the Democratic presidential nomi-
nation, although an unsuccessful one.
His lack Of success was partly due to
the fact that he and his friends waited
until after Franklin D. Roosevelt had
gathered in huge number Of party
leaders and pledged delegates to the
national convention. Although Mr..
Smiths friends had retained control Of
the Democratic national organization
and kept It up until the time Of the
national convention in Chicago, they
were unable 10 stem the onrush Of the
Rooseveltians.
The anti-Smith Democrats defeated
Mr.. Smith for renominaticl. by center
ing on single candidate. II the anti
Hoover Republicans are to have any
success in defeating Mr., Hoover for
a denomination, provided, Of course, Mr..
Hoover is either an active or receptive
candidate, 1t seems obvious that they,
too, must center on a candidate. There
are those who will turn and already
are turning TO Calvin Coolidge. Others
are suggesting Representative-elect
James w. Wadsworth, former Senator
from New York, pioneer among the
Republican vets.
II on consideration the great bulk Of
the Republican voters decide that Herb
ert Hoover Is the man they want, they
will have their way in the next con-
vention. Grover Cleveland, the Demo-
cratic President defeated In 1888, was
the choice Of his party in 1892 and won.
It does not seem probable that the
Hoover Republican leaders will fade
from the picture willingly either at this
time or Immediately after March 4. AS
the weeks go by, however, the ma
neuvering for position within the G. o. P.
Is likely to become more and more
active. But what happens to or for the
Republicans will, after all, depend very
greatly upon how the Democratic ad-
n1inistration progresses, and whether
times remain hard or become harder.