The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-05-31
BY RAY TUCKER
Times stan Writer

WAchlNG lON, May jA.-Wli-
liam Edgar Borah will not form or
join third party to oppose the man
his eloquence helped to place in the
White House four years ago.
The shaggy NAMED senator from
Idaho. knowing the value Of his
voice to a Republican President in
the spaces west of the Mississippi,
now Is trying to swap it for a parry
pledge against what he considers an
unconstitutional approach TO repeal
the eighteenth amendment.
That is all there is TO the present
drv drama in which Borah oc-
cupies the limelight.
The senator played the same game
in 1920. when it appeared that the
Republicans might indorse a mool-
fed League Of Nations IN the plat
form. He threatened TO organize a
new party 10 purify politics. and
would not make a speech until he
received pledges that Warren G.
Harding and the United States
would STAY away from Geneva.
Shaped Foreign Policy
In that year this one senator from
a remote. western state helped TO
shape the nations policy on foreign
affairs. Had it not been for him,.the
history Of the last decade of inter
national relations might have been
written differently.
Now his attitude may determine
the future of the leading domestic
issue confronting the two major
parties. The problem Of prohibition
repeal may become a bipartisan
and non political venture If his ideas
are repudiated.
But if the party surrenders to
Borah, II may mean that the task
Of dry law reform viii be entrusted
TO the Democrats alone.
Therein lies the human interest
in the controversy which finds
Borah arrayed against the ma iority
sentiment of the party bosses-one
David against a gang Of Goliaths.
Holds Regulars at Bay
AS has so often happened before,
the conspicuous rebel is holding the
regular warriors at bay, and making
a mess Of their plans.
Borahs part in the next campaign
has a personal as we'll as a politi-
cal side.
II he supports Hoover, it will give
him a fifty-fifty average for six
presidential battles.
II he opposes Hoover or sulks in
his tent. it will mean that he will
have supported his party's presiden-
tial candidates in only two of six
campaigns.
With the exception of the year
when he Endorsed Harding for rea-
sons Of state, it will give sharper
point to his angry reply to critics
Of his irregularity.
Since Roosevelt left the White
House, he retorts, there has been
no Republican President I would
cooperate with"
Helped Elect Hoover
The senator's present position is
all the more exciting because of tie
important role he played in Hoo
ver's pre-convention and presiden-
tial campaigns.
The two mems friendship cooled
after Hoover entered the White
House. Borah has conducted a run
ming feud with the administration.
He openly has denounced pres
idential policies on foreign affairs,
tariffs, farm relief. water power.
Il p r m e court appointments,
economic legislation and I'M
employed assistance.
He has deplored Hoover's deser-
ton of the Republican progressives.
He has assailed the eastern
politicians now in high favor at the
White House.
He has had a part in CONVEX
sations, futile though they we're,
looking to movement to prevent
the Presidents denomination.
So now the principal political
query at the Capital is: Whittier
goes Borah?"
Old Standbys AIOOf
All the Old familiar figures who
praised Hoover as the prophet Of
new economic and political era
in 1928 will be missing in the next
presidential campaign, including
illustrious conservatives as we'll as
progressives. An entirely new group
Of spellbinders will take to the po-
litical trail on behalf of the Presi-
dent. representing the most reac-
tionary elements Of the party.
Political observers predict that the
administrations cohorts in the west.
where dissatisfaction is widespread,
will be the weakest since Taft was
defeated in 1912.
Instead of Borah and Chief Jus
tice Charles Evans Hughes. who
we're Hoover's most effective cam
paigners against Al Smith. the adj
ministration will depend on such
men as Ogden L. Mills. secretary of
TIE treasury; Patrick j. Hurley,
secretary OF war. and Charles G.
DaUpS r,r-oSidert of the T3aco,,etrt,c