Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-16
PROSPECTS IN OHIO
Much Depends on Labor's At
titude Toward Harmon.
HURT BY TROLLEY STRIKE
Charge Is Made That His Sympathies
Were With Corporations.
SOCIALISTS SHOW STRENGTH
Their Meetings at Columbus Larger
Than Those of Either of
the Old Parties.
HURT BY TROLLEY STRIKE
SOCIALISTS SHOW STRENGTH

unknown quantities in the Ohio cam
| palgn are the extent of labor dissatis-
| faction with the administration of
| Gov. Harmon, the strength of the
socialist party-really part of the
same factor-the influence Of Gov
| Harmon's graft exposures on the voters
| and the extent of the insurgency move
| ment among the republicans. The party
leaders are constructing various equa-
tions to ascertain these quantities, with
naturally varying results.
The labor field in the state has been
a troubled one throughout the year, cul-
minatfng in the serious and long con-
| tinued strike of the street railway en-
ployes here at the capital, which has
| not been declared off, though the strik-
ers are clearly defeated, and in which
the governor and the labor leaders of
the state were and are still in conflict.
The labor leaders charge that the
governor showed his old sympathy with
corporate interests by refusing to throw
the influence Of his Office in favor of
pain arbitration of the matters in dis
pute. The governor says that to do what
would have been to violate his oath of
ONCE to enforce all the laws of the
state impartially.
= SOAo az SI4cVcO.
No matter which is right labor feels
aggrieved at the governors course in
the matter and has proclaimed the fact.
The governor will no doubt lose MANY
democratic votes because Of this
That he will gain strength from the
otner SIDE cannot be doubted. The weak
ana vaciilating course Of the mayor of
columbus, which permitted reign of
laWIessness to continue here for weeks
ended at last by the use of the state
mlltary forces under the direction of
the governor-digusted many people here
and in the central part of the state. and
these have applauded the action of the
governor. as they would not have done
put for its contrast with the inaction Of
the mayor.
Indications Of enthusiasm among the
socialists of the state are seen on all
sides, and here in Columbus. where
their vote has hitherto be4n incon-
siderable, 1T looks as though they would
this year carry several wards-districts
IN which railroad and shop employees
predominate. Their campaign meetings
exceed In point Of numbers in attend
democrats. and 1T is noticeable that
campaign speakers of both the great
er parties are now attacking socialism |
In their addresses. |
crease in strength of the socialist party |
will be most pronounced here. Polls |
now being taken in other parts of the |
state show only moderate gains for it,
where here, as was expected, the gains |
are shown to be enormous.
Harmon Gains in Hamilton.
One disappointing feature Of the cam
palgn just now. to the republicans, is
that secret poll that is being made
by prominent newspaper shows that
In Hamilton county Gov. Harmon is
gaining over his vote there two years
ago. when he carried the county by
10000 1t was confidently expected that
that county would show a republican
gain, and even the democratic leaders
thought 1t would show loss for them:
they did not believe the governor could
repeat the high vote he secured there
two years ago.
Republican insurgency has no leader
ship in Ohio. James r. Garfield
probably comes nearest to deserving
himself at the head Of any organiza-
ton. An incipient movement in that
direction at the time of the state con-
vention was arrested, and has not been
gency slumbering in republican ranks
it will have to do it's work unmartaled
and without direction, If 1T is to prove
d factor in the coming elections. That
some people believe that there will be
an insurgent element to be dealt with
here is indicated by the fact that bets
are Iosted that the aggregate vote for
the republican candidates for Congress
will he 10000 less than that for Hard
ing, the republican candidate >or GOV
ernor.
Large Congressional Pluralities.
This. however. indicates that i'll the
opinion Of the one proposing the wager
the insurgents will generally support the
republican candidate for governor. The
<1;c%r;
generally SO large puralites that even
with the election of Harmon by 10000 or
10000 there might be no republican loss
in the state delegation in Congress.
The effect of Gov. Harmon's graft
charges is difficult to gauge. Last week
the republicans were evidently getting |
the best of the governor in that matter
by countering on him with the State |
Treasurer Creamer graft. dug up by the |
legislation probe committee last winter |
new charges of graft involving the state |
board Of public works. That is tender |
point with the people of the state; With
waning patience they have been bearing
appropriations OF half million dollars
year for the operation and repair OF the
canals for many years; under the promise
again.
Excepting stretches between Cincinnati
Akron the entire length Of the canal
system OF the state-approximately 800
miles long-is dry, and there are lew
boats on the navigable portions. Last
winter the legislature refused to make
further appropriations except with the
condition that water lessees along the
route on which they were to be used con- |
sented TO an increase Of the rentals. That |
the Iessees refused and nothing is doing. !
This action reflects the sentiment OF the |
peopIe and the charges made by the
governor and his chief engineer that graft
has been practiced by the considerable |
coterie of officials and subordlnates main |
tanned to control the prot1tleSs canals |
will If they are not proved false, prop |
ably have important effect on the cleo |
ton result. |
Trying to Face Inquiry.
One of the subordinates, who is charged |
with putting proceeds OF the sale of |
state property in his own pockets, Charles |
Watkins. a foreman at Waverly, is a |
brother of George II. Watkins. a member |
of the state board Of public works. and |
now candidate on the republican ticket |
for election to third term on the board. |
Attorney General Grant Denman re- |
publican and candidate for reelection. |
has left the work of the campaign and |
insists upon an immediate and thorough !
investigation. Gov. Harmons actions in |
the matter are rather disappointing to his |
friends, and tend to raise the suspicion |
that he doubts that the charges can be |
proven, and that he wants the investiga-
after eIe