Will Will run?

Indiana papers, July 1919

HAYS WILL DECLARE 

HIS INTENTIONS NEXT 

WEEK AT BROOKVILLE

Will H. Hays will deliver an address to the midsummer meeting of the Indiana Republican Editorial association at Magnesia Springs near Brookville on Aug. 1.

In his address, he will make a definite announcement in regard to his intentions as to the governorship. He has not thus far said positively that he would or would not become a candidate for the nomination, but the general expectation is that he will tell the editors that he proposes to go after the nomination.

The fact that Hays will make this speech and outline his intentions has just become known, and already it has added interest in the meeting, which will attract a large crowd of Republicans from all the state.

Magnesia Springs, where the meeting will be held is on of the most beautiful spots in Indiana. It is situated two miles south of Brookville in of the pretty sections of the scenic section of Indiana. 

It is a park with a large assembly hall to which a chicken dinner will be served. Plans have been made to run a special train from Cambridge City to Brookville in the morning to take the crowd to the place. (Train ran very near M.S.)

ON THE OTHER HAND ...

Will H. Hays, chairman of the Republican national committee, will not be a candidate for the nomination for governor of Indiana. 

He will continue to give his undivided attention to the national chairmanship. Mr. Hays, in a brief statement, announced his decision at the mid-summer meeting of the Indiana Republican Editorial association.

"I am very sensible of the privilege incident to the opportunity for service and distinguished honor in the governorship, but I cannot, however, further consider being a candidate."

Note: (Some AI research here) William Harrison Hays Sr. was chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1918 to 1921, and he managed the successful 1920 presidential campaign of Warren G. Harding. (It's most likely he knew he'd be doing that when he decided not to run for governor.)

Harding then appointed Hays to Postmaster General. 

Hays resigned in 1922 to become the first chairman of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America. As chairman, Hays oversaw the promulgation of the Motion Picture Production Code (informally known as the Hays Code), which spelled out a set of moral guidelines for the self-censorship of content in American cinema.

Hays was also somewhat involved in the infamous Teapot Dome scandal in the 1920s when rich Republicans were paid off for various reasons.

Harding died in office in 1923.