"It Would Appear So"

Many a gesture is far more expressive than words. When a young wife starts to sew on tiny garments, all the world knows she will soon become a mother. When a potent politician, invites press photographers into his home and allows them to picture his private life, everyone realizes that he will soon be a candidate for a bigger & better public job. Two months ago Governor Alfred M. Landon of Kansas thus opened his Topeka home to news cameramen. Last week pictures were taken of carved teakwood chairs and tables, Chinese paintings and embroideries, lacquered boxes, Oriental screens at No. 2101 Connecticut Ave., Washington. Next day the Press discovered that Senator William Edgar Borah was definitely, openly and finally a candidate for President.

The confirmatory evidence was a Borah announcement: "After a thorough survey of the Ohio situation, I am convinced that the people of that State should be given an opportunity to express their choice in the Presidential primary on May 12.... To obtain an expression of popular will, it is my intention to place at least eight candidates for delegates-at-large in the field."

Newshawks rushed to question him.

Would he file a declaration, as required in Ohio primaries, that he is a candidate for the Republican nomination?

"Certainly."

Did his statement amount to a formal announcement of his candidacy?

"It would appear so."

Thus did Idaho's Borah become the first Republican Presidential candidate of 1936. Reason for the Borah announcement was that onetime Postmaster General Walter Folger Brown of Toledo, friend of Herbert Hoover, and other members of the Old Guard in Ohio were preparing to enter a "favorite son" in the Ohio primaries so that they could take Ohio's votes to the Republican convention in their pockets. Senator Borah, by his own candidacy, aimed to forestall them.

Seldom does a U. S. President invite a serious political rival to the White House. Nevertheless, three days after Candidate Borah's announcement, Franklin Roosevelt had the Senator in to share his lunch on the Presidential desk. On arrival, Mr. Borah gladly posed for photographers with his hand upon the White House door knob. On departure, he was asked whether he had discussed the campaign with the President.

"We did not omit any subject."

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