The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-12-08
THREE ANGLES
ON THIRD TERM
{. 8 FOR ROOSEVELT
MANY DIFFERENT IDEAS EN-
TERTAINEDl RELATIVE TO
ACTIVITIES AS PERTAIN
TO SUBJECT
By BYRON PRICE
(Chief OF Bureau, Tine Associated
Press Washington

three schools of thought on the
much-discussed subject of a third
term for President Roosevelt.
A surprisingly large number are
reasoning that Mr.. Roosevelt,
with his flair for precedent-smash-
I ing, would welcome a third NOM
nation, and will silently look for
ward to such an event in 1910.
Others believe he has no inten-
ton whatever of being a candidate
again, and will be forced by the
pressure of circumstances to say
so definitely before his second ad-
ministration is far advanced.
Still others are of the opinion
that, not intending to run in 1910,
he nevertheless will refrain from
making any statement. thus using
his silence as lever to maintain
his party control during the next
four years.
Of course none can possibly
know the answer except himself.
1t is not the sort of thing he would
discuss at this stage with his
friends. If he made any decision
now it would be because of the
public situation, and in that case
his statement would be addressed
to the public.
So again he has the politicians
guessing. No one loves such an
advantage better than he, anad the
logic of the case argues that he
will keep things as they are for
a long time to come ~.
Real Problems Ahead
1t cannot be supposed, however,
that all of the fun of this situa-
ton will be on the side of the
President, and all of the embarass-
ment on the side of those who are
trying to read his mind.
Whatever he does-whichever
of the three courses he adopts
Mr.. Roosevelt is certain to en-
counter some complications. They
may be more than offset by the
! extraordinary advantage he en-
joys, but they are likely to pre-
sent real problems, nevertheless,
, and lead to much Presidential re-
Election.
| A decision to run again, OF
! even any gesture which would give
! the impression of such decision.
| would have obvious repercussions
Even as matters stand, congress
sional debates have been sprinkled
with charges of dictatorship
and a "king complex" A resur-
gence of this attack, linked with
/ third-term discussion, might con-
ceivably cripple his legislative pro-
gram during his second term.
! Any public statement that he
would not accept another nomi-
nation would tend to weaken his
position for another reason. His
silence would be a club, warning
embryonic resurrectionists within
the party that they might again
have him to deal with as party
leader in 1910. AZ remuneration
would remove that club from his
| hands.
| Finally. if he decided not to
run but kept his decision to him.
self, there again would be dis
advantages as we'll as advantages
Chief among the embarrassing
factors would be the resentment
of men in his own partv who want
to run in 1910 themselves.
Lots OF Possibilities
4
| Something like that developed
in 1928. Mr.. Coolidge refused
! to go beyond his statement that
he did not choose" to run; and
many believed he wanted the
nomination. Yet Mr.. Hoover was
running, and Mr., Hoover was a
| member of the Coolidge cabinet
Many who knew both men be-
lieve that after those tense pre-
convention weeks things never
were the same between them.
In Mr.. Roosevelt's cabinet are
at least two or three who doubt
less would like to succeed him,
Among Democratic senators and
governors are many others. Can
a non-eomnlittal Presidential at
titude be maintained without seri-
| Gus intra-party disturbance?