Evening star., 1938-02-23
The McNutt Boom.

The McNutt Boom.
Paul Worries McNutt, United States
High Commissioner to the Philippines,
Is IN Washington to report to President
Roosevelt on affairs of the islands and
conditions generally in the Far East.
His Indiana friends, however, have seized
upon his flying visit to the National
Capital to launch boom for him for
the Democratic presidential nomination
IN 1910. The audacity of the maneuver
has stricken with amazement some OF
the older politicians. They regard the
potential candidate for a presidential
nominee who sticks his head up and out
two years In advance Of the nominating
campaign as one seeking political suicide.
The hand of every other candidate
and also of his followers-will be raised,
they argue, to hurl bricks.
Be that as it may, the tactics of Mr..
McNutt are not likely to follow ancient
grooves. He has a reputation for
startling moves. He also is an organizer.
His election first as national commander
OF the American Legion and later as
Governor of Indiana bear witness to that
TACT. During his incumbency as Gov
ernor, Mr.. McNutt built himself an Or
ganlzatlon in Hoosierdom that was
marvel of effciency-an organization
that apparently is still faithful, even
though he has taken himself far across
the Pacific Ocean.
Mr.. McNutts visit to Washington is
the climax of a triumphal trip across the
continent with receptions in Denver and
his own home capital, Indianapolis. And
from Indiana has come the very flower
OF Hoosier Democracy to do him honor
at the reception which will be given for
the former Governor today, headed by
Governor Townsend, who was Mr.. Nc
Nuts choice to succeed him in Indian
apolis and the Governors chair. Frank M,
McHale, Democratic national committee
man, dubbed the Jim" Farley of the
McNutt boom and the probable Demo-
cratic national chairman in the event
McNutt becomes the party nominee for
President, said on arriving here: THE
time to throw in your chips is when
the cards are running your way" This
sounds as though Mr. McHale were con-
fldent and also may be interpreted as an
invitation to Democrats generally to
rally to McNutt.
There is dark horse in the White
House at present-Franklin D. Roose-
velt-who may make all the running for
the Democratic nomination in 1910 If he
wishes But Mr. McNutt and his friends
are going on the theory that the Presi-
dent will not be candidate for third
term, or accept nomination if his fol-
lowers should tender it. With the Presi-
dent out Of the running, they are willing
to take on all comers-whether they be
Robert H. jackson of New York, Gov
ernor Frank Murphy of Michigan, Sen
ator Barkley of Kentucky or any of the
other dozen possibilities" whose names
have been mentioned in connection with
the Democratic presidential nomination
II the President has selected his sue
cessor, no word has been spoken at the
White House to tell the story. 1t is true
that there has been suspicion he was
grooming Mr.. Jackson, whom he has now
appointed Solicitor General of the
United States, for the place. But that the
administration will declare itself for any
candidate at this early date is incredible.
How the President will look at the Nc
Mutt boom also remains to be seen.
ihere are those of the Presidents en-
tourage who do not regard Mr.. McNutt
as the ideal candidate for President in
1910. It has been limited that Post
master General Farley is decidedly not
enamored Of the idea. of making MIR.
McNutt the partys candidate Mr.. Far
ley. chairman Of the Democratic National
Committee. has far-nung organization,
and he may have good deal to say when
the showdown comes in 1910.
Mr.. McNutt has been New Dealer Of
the most ardent type. His own admin
istration as Governor Of Indiana was
typical. Apparently he has taken no
umbrage at the open manner in which
his boom for 1910 is now being launched.
He has not called off his friends. If he
goes into the fight for the presidential
nomination his opponents will know they