Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-10-18
PARTY LEADERS
~UP A TREE" in
VOTE FORECAST
Find Trouble in Getting a
Line on Sentiment of
Country
TREND TOWARD HUGHES

WASHINGTON. Oct 1e--WIth the pres
'atrtiai election only three weeks away,
Mother the Republican leaders nor the
democratic leaders feel certain OF success.
spcakIng IN confidence. they admit they
are "up tree" no matter what extrava-
rant claims they make az voters bait
Men who have been making nonpartIsan
counfry-wide polls for years say that never
before have they had such hard time get
tinE '1lne on the country as this year.
Straw votes taken IN every State In tho
Union Indicate that the election will be very
close with the trend now toward Hughca
Among the things that have brought
the muddled situation are;
The kept US out OF war" talk.
The Mexican situation.
The eighthour day railway legislation.
The growth Of woman's suffrage.
The nationwide prosperity.
Representative Frank E. Doremus. OF
Detroit. chairman OF the Democratic ma.
tionai congressional committee, who re-
turned to- his home today TO look out for
his personal campaign, Is sincere in the be.
lief that Woodrow Wilson will carry the
country next November. but he admits his
views may be warped. As chairman OF the
congressional committee, Mr.. Doremus has
managed the nationwide campaign TO elect
Democratic Senators and Congressman. He
said today that more than 100000 pieces
Of Democratic literature have been mailed
20 the voters OF the United States. More
than 100000 copies OF the speech made by
Ex-Governor Martin Gynn, OF New York, at
~ Louis. when President Wilson was re-
nominated, have been sent out. A copy OF
this speech was placed In the hands OF every
voter In New York.
HUGHES LEADS POLL
In a nationwide poll which has just
beer completed by nonpartisan interests,
\ s shown that out OF a total OF io7.402
vctek cast. Hughes received 54,s04; will
son de,s1s Benson. 25iS giving Hughes
q plurality of 4s26. This slender lead In
the popular vote could be easily wiped out
by slight change in one OF the States
having many electoral votes.
II can be truthfully stated that one Of
the big surprises experienced by tho Repub-
icans Is the strength of President Wilson
IN the western states generally regarded
aa Republican. Perhaps the biggest sur
prise to the Democrats comes from the
State of California, which was split wide
oper few months ago by the fight over the
senatorial nominee. Since Governor Hiram
Johngon won the Republican senatorial
nom nation there has been rapid solidi-
fcaton OF hostile forces. and polls made
In that State indicate there has been
greater trend toward Hughes there than
In any OF the other western States.
The kept us out OF war argument has
been very effective IN the states west of
Ohio and Indiana. The further west you
10 the stronger IL the feeling for Wilson
because he avoided hostilities. In the great
nroenA-'tv is being enjoyed, the Democrats
are conf -''t OF winning many states that
are norm Republican. Two Of the most
interest'p.' state fights are on in Ohio and
Ind. =. IL Chic * is edn''ted that Wilson
has a personal fa'oNfng which Is much
greater than that of the otner Democratic
nominees. There he is strong not only in
the farming "ections, but in the big indus
trial centers
few weeks ago the Republicans were
~.
that Indiana likely would go Democratic.
Now the very opposite Is true
Another State that was generally con-
sidered Republican until a few weeks ago is
Wisconsin. Now II is referred to as the
political madhouse" The Republican
ranks split wide open as a result OF the
steps taken by Senator Robert NJ. La Fol-
lette since he won the senatorial nomination
IN standpat-progressive battle La Fol-
Iette has been making a vigoruous cam
paign. but not In one of his speeches has
he mentioned the name Of his party's presl-
Dental nominee. Charles Il. Hughes. In
stead he has let II be known that he does
not intend to mention IL. When Hughes
spent two days In Wisconsin. La Toilette
was IN hiding. After he left the State. La
Toilette took the stump and knocked"
most OF the speeches Hughes made Because
La Toilette voted for the Democratic tariff
bill and the Adamson eight-hour law many
OF the standpat Republicans are saying
I'VE would rather have genuine Demo-
cratic Senator than one who poses as a Re-
publican and votes with the Democrats"
That feeling Is widespread and II is be-
lieved there is a good chance not only of
electng Democratic Senator, but OF carry
ing the State for Wilson.
HUGHES STRONG IN EAST
In some OF the Eastern States there are
interesting situations. Take New Jersey
the homo State OF President Wilson, for in
stance. The Republicans really believe they
VIII carry that State by 10000. Their hope
Democratic party, President Wilson did
not favor the denomination OF Sendtor Mar
tine. but he won the nomination over the
Presidents candidate by a large majority
The Republicans are counting on carrying
New York but the Democrats believe they
3 viii win.
Maryland. which Is normally Democratic
d likely to go Republican this year be-
cause OF bitter bght over the senatorial
nomination. Blair Lee, the present Sem
ator, was defeated In his race for renom-
nation by Congressman David Lewis
father Of the parcel post Lewis was a coal
miner and he has many sociallstlc tend
encies. such as favorlng government owner
ship Of railroads. telegraph and telephone
lines The Lee supporters are very bitter
and have failed 10 participate IN the cam
palgn for election.
West Virginia is another State In which
the Republicans plan 10 make good gains
That State Is a protectionlst State and
there has been perceptible growth of Re-
Uublican sentiment there lately.