MUD PIES

Those two beasts of burden, the Elephant and the Donkey, who began a year since to blow trumpet calls of allegiance to all Republicans and Democrats, were severely criticized for warming up for their race so long before the call to the barrier. Apparently no harm has been done, for although much water has since flowed under the bridges, they but made themselves fit for the great mud battle of March and April in Washington.

It is with thankful hearts that the public begins to see the Oil-Scandal scareheads fading from the newspapers. Now that the air is beginning to clear, Senator La Follette and his iconoclastic apostles are likely to elicit little sympathy with their pointless attack on the new attorney-general. This diligent unearthing of tenuous "Wall Street connections" begins to cloy even the ravenous palates of Western farmers.

Yet in spite of these "progressive spirits" the air is doubtlessly clearing and one may look for action or at least speeches on constructive legislation. Upon the next two months of work depends to an unusually large extent the vote of the populace next fall. Both parties alike have been smeared; both have shown plenty of desire to make political capital.

It is impossible for anyone to tell what principles actuate either party. This might seem merely a further sign of the disappearance of party boundaries were it not that President Coolidge has set forth definite issues in taxation and the bonus. The trouble is that beyond a few stout supporters, the President is surrounded by a flabby party. At present the Democrats are fairly leaderless. Their strongest champion and the only one to set up a platform a very wide straddle of reduction in taxes and a soldier's bonus has been badly smirched in the oil battle; Senator Underwood has never been strong; and Senator Ralston is known to most people only by the fact that he is a candidate for the Democratic nomination. It therefore seems probable that more than ever before the presidential race next fall with be between men rather than parties. It is generally conceded that the convention in Cleveland will be short and decisively for the renomination of President Coolidge. Not so the New York convention. There the struggle should be long and bitter; but only if a recognized leader of great ability and vigor is chosen--and Governor Smith at present looms large in that capacity--will there be much question of carrying the decision to the House of Representatives.