The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1939-11-09

Roosevelt-that he would not take
the nomination in 1908, and that he
forced the nomination of man he
hand-picked, William Howard Taft.
Further, they pointed out that Theo-
dore did seek election as President
in 1912, sought the nomination again
in 1916, and would in all human
probability have been nominated,
had he lived, in 1920.
On these points there is no doubt
whatever. T. Rs fight in 1912, as
the Bull Moose nominee, his battle
against Charles Evans Hughes in
the 1916 convention, and his back
ing of Taft for the nomination in
1908 are matters of official record.
AS to whether he would have been
nominated in 1920 there might be
an argument, but there are still liv-
ing Republican leaders to whom one
of T. RS bitterest enemies in 1912
and 1916, the late Sen. Boies PEN
rose of Pennsylvania, conceded, just
before T. RS death, that he would
have to support the "Colone" for
the nomination in 1920.
Beveridge Explained Why
r. K. Did Not Run in 1908
The story told for the first time
recently in Washington is that at a
dinner party, given by the late Sen.
Albert ]. Beverage Of Indiana,
while T. r. was in Africa, the Indi-
ana senator, who was very close to
the former President was asked why
T. r. had not run in 1903.
Beverage is alleged to have an
swered that the Colonel" had be
lieved the RepublicansFWere in for a
licking, but that this fat fellow,
meaning Taft, had surprised him by
getting elected
What the tellers of the story are
trying to prove here is their owr
conviction that Franklin Roosevelt
realizing that there is strong pref
udice against a third continuous
term for the presidency, is figuring
on stepping out for four years, after
which he hopes the country will be
almost unanimous in wanting him
back.
All this has been related because
the writer believes it of interest as
showing what certain Well-informed
people think. But as this writer sees
it there are several flaws in the anal
ogy. One Of them is what seems G
stronger probability that f. D. r.
does not think there would be any
important danger of defeat, thirc
term or no third term, if he ran fol
reelection. Assuming that he does
SO think, it is well known how dear
to his heart is the breaking of prece
dents. Further, it is scarcely to BIZ
questioned that F. D. r.. believes
conscientiously and firmly, that thu
country would be better off for thu
four years beginning in l94l witt
himself at the head Of the govern
ment than with any other person
whether hand-picked by him or not
Drouth May Force TV4
y
To Employ Steam Plants
The severe drouth which has af
fected the entire Tennessee rive
valley promises to produce som,
very embarrassing results for TVi
unless there are record-breakinl
rains this winter. Already IVA all
thorities have cut down the amour
OF run-off water from Norris dan
to q mere fraction of that considered
vital to maintain navigation on thu
Tennessee river. Complaints ar,
plenty, but are not being needed.
Water in the lake held back b,
Norris dam is still above the 1853
ot-above-sea-level figure at whicl
the maximum efficiency can b,
maintained. But it is held there
even now, only by cheating" o.
the navigation requirements. An
even with that it is not quite bein
held. It has been dropping despit
the cutting down Of spillway water
The Joker is that unless torrentia
rains fall this winter Norris an
other dams in the iva system wi
not be able to supply enough electri
power next spring to maintain thei
contracts without resorting to stear
plants. This Ii complicated by tn