South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-15
POLITICAL BEE
IS BUZZING NOW
Many Indiana Mayors Are ir
Tight Races For ReeIeC-
ton This Fall.
News-Times Special Service:

NeWS-IlmeS special service.
INDIANAPOLIS. Ind. Oct. -
The political bee is buzzing in In
diana but It is buzzing very quietly,
with the main objective of the buzz
ing being far of.
open political animosity has for
the most part submerged because
OF the war. be II said TO the credit
Of all politicians. Interest is conferred
on the municipal campaigns for
the election on Nov. s. but quiet
preparation for future state and ma
tional campaign.
In many cities the municipal cam
paigns have resolved themselves
openly into fight between dry" and
wet" interests. and in many others
this fight is being waged quietly but
fiercely nevertheless. The prohibi-
ton law becomes effective next April
2, but certain wet" interests are
just as anxious 10 elect mayor Of
wet" tendencies as If there were no
law on the statute books. The
"drys" are just as anxious to elect
mayors who will close towns tighter
than a drum cover.
Jewett VS.. Shank.
One of the notable fights is being
waged in Indianapolis, where Lew
Shank of potato and vaudeville
fame, is running as a candidate of
the Home Rule party after being
defeated in the republican primary.
He is opposed by Charles Jewett,
one Of the younger republican po-
litical powers and Dick Miller, a
business man. comparatively new to
practical politics.
In Muncie Mayor Rollin Bunch is
fighting with his back to the wall
against organized forces, who de-
clared the issue is one of reform.
C. o. Grafton. his opponent, is run
ming as a republican but declares
the party name is only a convenience
in this instance.
Mayor Yin" Gossom, elevated to
the office in Terre Haute when Don
Roberts went 10 prison, is a candi-
date against Charles Hunter, repub-
lican, and Luther Smyres, socialist
Here, also, is the moral issue. Cos
som being attacked as an enemy to
reform. The socialists probably will
roll up a big vote All the candi-
dates have made bids for votes for
women.
Bose Doomed.
Benjamin Bosse is another demo-
cratic mayor who is candidate for
reelection. He is opposed at Evans
Vile by Frank LamOnte, socialist,
who is accused of dislOyalty and
Albert Messick, ~epublican. Mes
sick is popular. aiT BOsse faces the
fight Of his life.
Mayor p. o. Johnson, republican,
is a candidate for mayor at Gary,
lican primary. He is running as an
independent. It is said he has the
backing Of Tom Knots. an influen-
tial democratic politician. William
+. Hedges is the republican nominee
and Harvey Curtis is the democratic
nominee.
In Anderson Mayor Mellett is
candidate for reelection on the
democratic ticket. Ugly charges
have been hurled at him because Of
paving contracts. The names of
both Edward c. Toner. republican
editor, and Dale J. Grittenberger.
democratic editor, have been brought
into the case, and a biased article
on Toner in a powerful republican
organ in the state is taken as an
effort TO block his candidacy for
governor. Grittenberger may also
be a candidate for the democratic
party for governor.
Several women are candidates for
offices in the smaller cities OF the
state Martha w Heron is the re-
publican candidate for city clerk at
Alexander. If the woman suffrage
law is declared unconstitutional the
question of whether women can hold
Offices will have TO be decided.
Appointments to he Made.
Aside from city campaigns, there
is consid cradle activity I'm state
politics Gov. Goodrich will he able
TO return TO the governors office in
a few weeks, and Immediately he
will be confronted with hard prob
lens. He will have TO fill vacancies
on the Su lItlilt Utlit II anu the pun
lie service commission. Republicans
will probably be appointed TO fill the
positions made vacant by the deaths
OF Judge Irwin and Public Service
Commissioner Woods, both of whom
were appointed as democrats.
The governor also is confronted
by the insistence Of Henry Roberts.
state statistician until his office was
automatically abolished by law, that
he be given position paying an
equal salary-S4. 900 a year Roberts
continues 20 do his work. awaiting
a final settlement.
The oil inspection muddle must
be solved by court decisions. which
appear a long way off
IL has already been reported that
the state chairman OF the republican
party. VIII II. Hayes. would be a
candidate for governor or United
States senator, but he Is also eX-
pected TO succeed himself as state
chairman. The democratic state
committee has no chairman since
the resignation OF Charles Great
to,,so ord opa will nrOba hly not he