Larry--

     I like the idea and the Cowardly Lion does look a bit like William
     Jennings Bryan, but I don't buy it.

     Having read MANY of the Oz books when my daughter was little, I can
     and do testify that Frank Baum was a man of childike (I would say) and
     wildly creative imagination--flying sofas, princesses that turn into
     princes, etc.  I find it absolutely impossible to believe that there
     were political connections to these things--he doesn't strike me as a
     political person.

     Also, how would trying to get home to Kansas fit into the "crown of
     gold" scenario??

     Marilyn Harper