New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-31
DRIVING FINISH
In WISCONSIN
Republicans Shade Ahead
La Toilette Could
Turn Scale
Ry s. Fl. EVANS

Milwaukee, Oct. 30.-Wisconsin is
one of the states which Wilson must
capture if he is to win reelection. Tx
travagant claims are made by the
Democratic campaign managers here
that he will capture the thirteen cleo
toral votes. The published estimates,
put out for psychological effect IN
such papers as La Follette's state
Journal" run as high as $4,000 piu-
rality. Privately and not for puolica-
ton they tell newspaper men here that
a plurality higher than 10000 would
surprise them.
The Republican managers say lh"'
their candidate for Governor is better
than a "two TO one, lead pipe cinch,'
that La Toilette will get so many
Democratic votes that the Stalwart de-
lection won't count, and that the sta'e
is "safe" for Hughes. Such being the
opinions and feelings of the party
managers on both sides, the conclusion
that the state is in doubt obtrudes IT.
self.
It is the opinion Of both Democrats
and Republicans, Stalwarts, Hall
Breeds, Progressives, even Socialists
here that one man could tip the scales
certainly for Hughes. That man is
Robert NJ. La Toilette, Republican lin
name only candidate for United
States Senator Mr.. La Toilette is re-
ducing the Wisconsin welkin to SPIN
ters of toothpick size in the interest
If one aspirant for office, himself, and
ho shows no signs of wasting any Ell
fort elsewhere.
Factors That Aid Wilson
These are the forces which the DEM
ocratic campaign managers are de-
pending on to swing the state 10 VIII
son: .,.h;oh ia
beinq used lavishly in the La follette
camnaign and has been used previously
10 acouire control of the newspaper
regarded as La Follette's personal or,
gan. "The Wisconsin State Journal
The split in the Republican party
ord tho cold attitude of the Stalwart
faction toward the campaign efforts
Of tho State Central Committee, wnleh
announced at the beginning oil the
campaign that it would work Tor tne
whole ticket" meaning to incluue Id
a Republican detection among the
Norwegian citizens in the, northweSI
counties. apparently based on ruIa,
prosperity and the favorite wilson
issue. "He kept us out OF war
The strong pro-Wilson ATTITUDE oi
some elements of the Soclailst pal.y
in Milwaukee and the expected latoi-
ahle vote of railroad men and the labor
union men generally because of the
Adamson law. These two forces, IL Is
believed by the Democrats and sa-
mitted by some Republicans. VIII on
set the German vote in Milwaukee,
which is supposed TO be coming 10
Hughes. and give Milwaukee county
to the Democrats by 1000 or more.
Hughes Has Normal Lead
The forces working for Hughes are
roughly as follows:
The fact that Wisconsin, despite ltS
political eccentricities, is normally anu
naturally strong Republican STAG.
OF the 375,000 votes which propaoiy
will be cast in a Presidential year
2OO,0 900 and more ought to be founo III
the Republican column.
The strong dissatisfaction among inc
farmers and small business men at inc
forced passage OF the Adamson Dill
which they do not regard as an eight,
simple, the increase IN wages eVehtu
ally to come out of their pockets
The strength of the Republican can
didate for Governor, Emanuel l.. fnli-
ipp, a Milwaukee man OF SWISS descent,
who is working as hard for hughes Is
he is for himself
The fact that La Toilette at least Is
silent on the Presidential issue.
Main Hope in Tariff
Finally. the tariff issue and the need
of a proper and wise solution OF the
nations problems as the great war
comes to its end. This probably is the
strongest of all, for there is settled
conviction through the rural districts
of the state. as there is through the
same districts of New York, that the
Democratic party is not fit to rule.
Even Senator La Toilette Is IN an at
titude of defence on the tariff issue.
He explains his affirmative vote on the
Underwood tariff in his present cam,
paign speeches by saying it was IS good
as could be obtained.
Senator La Follette's apparently sell
fish position in the campaign is bit
terly resented by Republicans. AS IN
Washington, so also in his home state
which has twice sent him TO the
United States Senate and once honored
him with the Office of Governor, ne is
not regarded as a'member of the u. U.
p. He has just come through an ex-
tremely bitter primary fight for the
Republican nomination. and apparently
chosen largely by Democratic. votes.
Under the law of Wisconsin the pri-