Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-08-15
CAMPAIGN OPENED
ATMARYLANDFA|RS
Senator Smith Appeals to
Rural Vote at County
Gatherings.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Speclal dispatch to The Star.
BALTIMORE, Md. August 1.-THE
first definite step toward the launching
of the statewide campaign in Maryland
came this week, when Republican State
Chairman Galen L. TAFT went to New
York to meet national committeeman
for a conference with William P. Jack
son, the right bower of o. E. Weller.
the state republican chief.
The week also found United States
Senator John Walter Smith. democratic
candidate for reelection, campaigning
at county fairs and tournaments, and
the indications are that open political
activity by both camps will show a
marked increase before many more DAYS
pass. Mr.. Weller. who is opposing Mr..
Smith for the Senate, has gone north
for ten-day vacation, and by the time
he returns republican headquarters will
have been opened in Baltimore and the
plan of LATHE for the republicans work.
ed out. Chairman TAFT is expected to
return Tuesday prepared to open head
quarters and start the campaign.
Since Maryland is one of the states
upon which the national republican
leaders age counting to increase the re-
publican majority in the next Senate,
the national campaign managers are ex-
the campaign here by sending their
heavy oratorical artillery when the fight
warns UP.
Reports Encourage Republican,.
Republican leaders report that news
from all sections Of the state indicates
that the republicans are in good shape
and that there is no disaffection in the
counties. A threatening cloud appears
to have been removed from the Weller
Of colored voters Of Baltimore in refus-
ing to demand revenge upon Weller for
what they term shabby treatment at the
hands Of William F. Broening, the re-
publican mayor Of Baltimore. Though
some strong anti-republican talk mark
ed the meeting, it was decided to leave
to the individual action of the colored
voters the choice between Weller and
Smith.
AS a result the republican leaders are
holding up the anti-negro record of Sem
ator Smith on legislation aimed at ham,
pering the negro in the exercise of the
ballot, and express confidence that their
efforts will have the desired effect.
Democrat Bolts Party.
A surprise was sprung at a repub-
lican rally in Prince Georges county
this week when Robert w. Wells an
erstwhile leading democrat, who
twice represented the county in the
general assembly. came out openly for
Senator Harding for President. because
he said, he placed America above par
tisan politics. The principal speaker
was Thomas D. Schall. the blind rep
in, Congress from Mime
sofa, who attacked President Wilson's
domestic and foreign policies and de-
clared that if the democratic ticket
were elected this country would. un-
der the league of nations. be subject
to the whims of foreign diplomats.
state Senator Oliver S. MetZerott
spoke in the same vein. The meeting
was held by the Harding-Coolidge-
Club of the county. at
and presided over by
Mayor William A Brooks.
Campaigning Mt the Fairs.
Senator Smith and Representative
Benson, candidate for reelection in
the second district, visited the fancy
town fair in Carroll county Tuesday
and the Pylesville tournament in Har-
ford Wedne sday. The senator also has
stopped at farmers picnics at West
minister and at Dorseys, Howard
county. On each occasion there was
vigorous Handwriting and quiet cam
paEgning. Weller and A. A. Blakeney.
the republican opponent of Benson,
were to have attended the fair at
Wednesday, but were
unable to be present. Most OF the
county fairs will be held in Septem-
Der and, as usual, will be used by the
rival candidates and their workers
to reach the rural voters.
- ' INV JOHN A. ELGERT.