The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-10


 stated previously in these dispatches, Governor Cox was impressed In the West by sentiment for a league. He has ap- pealed primarily to the women and the church people on the ground that the
 league was guarantee against war and
 in many places he has won friends with his argument that Senator Harding pro- poses nothing. The Harding position ad- mittedly, does not attract, because the democratic candidate has been able to state that the league does offer some definite plan to promote peace and re- duce armaments, that it has been ap- proved by forty-one nations, and that against this positive fact the republican candidate has offered no substitute.
 LAOR SITUATION HOPEFUL
 Third Organized labor Those who scoffed at the proposal of Samuel Gompers, Frank Morrison and Matthew Woll to throw the weight-~of labor against candidates whose records on in- dustrial legislation were antagonistic to labor appear to have reclSoned without the power of the A. F. of l.. leaders and the labor press. Senator Harding vote for the anti-strike sections or the railroad bill has alienated the railroad men. That fact is not open to argu- ment. We have had demonstrations of it in the railroads yards of the West. When the Cox train stopped for moment at Indianapolis, the railroad men left their posts in groups to run over and shake hands with the candl- date Whether or not quiet, persis- tent powerful propa ganda among all classes of workers has been conducted from the Labor Temple in Washington cannot be stated, but that something is happening is not in question.
 Fourth The Irish vote. The Irish have been off the democratic reserva ton for some time. They were sore at Wilson. They opposed the League of linked with it. They thought the cause of Irish. freedom would be better pro noted outside Of the league.
 Governor Cox opened his drive to re- gain the right wing of the democratic party. He determined to make un- qualified pledge to make it his official business to compel a settlement of the Irish question through the machinery of the league, believing that Ireland having fought for TOO years without a "squire's court to which she might carry her case" world opinion speaking through the league owuld decide in her favor. He seemed to have made little head way with that pledge. Tne Irish were used to blarney. Then Senator Hard ing's declaration that the question of Irish freedom was not one for official
  leaders have taken it to mean that as president he would do nothing to aid Irelands cause. Democratic state lead CTS report that the Irish state workers began at once to report to headquarters and to enlist for the Cox cause. They are falling in in constantly increasing numbers. The party managers believe a fighting spirit" will become appar- ent very soon.
 Fifth. The prohibition question. It is a simple fact that Chairman Hays en- abled Governor Cox to climb aboard the water wagon with far more grace than could have been possible except for the Hays heckling campaign in the west Prohibition would have remained what the more astute campaigners in both par ties intended it should be, silent" or suitcase issue. Instead of leaving well enough alone letting the women believe Cox was wet" MT. Hayes forced the democratic candidate into taking a dry stand, that became dryer and dryer as he ventured into more states, to learn that the women and the church people were for him on the league issue, but doubtful as to prohibition. It now will be the democratic game to strike straight and square for the woman vote, leaving 1.-the -"dry''- chips fall where they may in the east
 Sixth The negro vote. Democratic liidudStTS are preparing lO uil udI0 anu fast on that issue. They have some very pertinent aides to racial prejudice. many of which are so unwholesome as to make politics appear a revolting enterprise. Your correspondent has heard and seen some of the subtle weapons that are be- inG used against the republican candi- date. Truly, they are not fit to print. But aside from that phase of the negro | issue which the democrats argue was | injected into the campaign by wholesale registration of the negro women in the scuth-called border states-has been the dissemination among white voters of ex- 1 tracts from negro papers in which Hard l ing was quoted as favoring legislation | proposed in Ohio that would constitute a near approach to racial equality. It would provide by statute that negroes should 1 be entitled to admission to any hotel, public restaurant, theatre or school. The I effect of such agitation by the democrats cannot be overestimated in that part of 1 the country.
 l Seventh. Extreme republican optimism. I in many states has promoted many quar- 1 rels White said that the Thompson 1 Lowden quarrel in Illinois was preceding in manner most satisfactory to the dem- ocrats, causing that republican strong 1 hold to become doubtful territory. It was difficult to accept that statement at i it's face value, but it is none the less J fact in many states where republican nomination was considered equivalent to | an election this year of candidates, fac tions and groups have been so busy quar- reling among themselves they have given ! little thought to the national ticket. In 1 lesser degree they are now working to get out the vote for Harding.
 l These political factors scarcely seem I to constitute inthe aggregate the mir acle." Something more tangible doubt | less is necessary to change sentiment l that clearly is republican this year be- cause of feeling for a change at Wash
 ington, but the variety of circumstances must operate to become more than ''acA'
 demically disturbing" were republican
 managers to permit their continuance of expansion.
 IRAlE RAND MACON