Evening star., 1922-09-16
BEvER|DCE READY
FOR STIFF BATTLE
Indiana Democrats Deter
mined to WreSt State From
Republican Control.
WATSON TO AID NOMINEE
Senator Will Make Number of
Speeches in Support of
Ticket.
WATSON TO AID NOMINEE
BY n. O. MESSENGER.

tctSU SoneSpon0D0t 81 x1e StA1.J
: INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. September 16.
Out here where they breathe, eat.
live. politics, the men and women
voters are setting their houses in
order for an epochal contest for the
United States senatorship. represen-
tatives in Congress. and state offices
below the governorship. 1t promises
to be an important campaign be-
cause the democratic party. which
fl ON time to time has held the state,
has set out to try to win back its
own, after the Harding Landslide of
1920.
Everybody is familiar with the
dramatic contest for the United
States senatorship nomination be-
tween Senator Harry S. New and
former Senator Albert ]. Beveridge.
resulting in Mr.. Beveridge winning
by some 10000 majority. The question
which most interests the democrats
is whether that fight engendered
bitterness between republican fac
tions which will help them in a for
lorn-hope endeavor to carry the
United states senatorship in Novem-
Der.
Perhaps it ought not to be called
a forlorn hope, because of the per-
sonality and character of the demo-
cratic candidate for the place, for
mer Governor Ralston, and because
democrats pin their faith. But when
the investigator talks to frank and
candid politicians about Mr.. Bever-
idge's prospects they reply by figuring
on his expected ma majority-seemingly
taking his election is assured.
Beveridge People Confident.
pected Beveridge majority of $4,000.
When it is suggested that back
east had come estimates of a Bever-
idge majority of 10000. the reply is:
We'll, If there are conditions war
ranting possibility of a reduction of
the republican plurality of two years
ago of 10000. to a paltry 10000, then
the conditions would more likely re-
suit in the election of the democrat"
The republican campaign on the
senatorship will receive impetus when
Senator Beveridge makes his opening
speech at Evansville on the 25th in
slant. He will devote himself mainly
IHTOu6h liC SOhlSsl ~ HdliOHdl lS
sues. His democratic opponent. Mr.
Ralston, has already begun on the ma
tional issues by attacking the repub-
lican tariff bill. He and Senator Rob
inson of Arkansas started the ball
rolling at a democratic barbecue here
appeal to householders. by telling
them of the monstrous increases in
prices of goods that the tariff bill, as
it is now framed, will entail. But the
main fight of the democrats will be
made against increased state and na-
tional taxes, especially state taxes
The democrats claim that taxes have
increased almost 10 per cent in three
years, since the republican tax law
went into effect. Prior to that, for
several years. the taxes had been col
lected under the tax law framed by
the democrats. The republicans Offset
these charges with the claim that the
states needs have grown.
When a democratic leader was asked
what tangible, practical, political hope
he had of defeating Mr.. Beveridge, ht
replied that in addition to the tai
feature he depended upon disaffectior
among republicans to Mr.. Beveridg<
as an alleged radical. He said tina,
the old gnard republicans would bt
told that MIR. Beveridge, IL elected
would Join the radical bloc in the
Senate composed of Senators La Fol
lette, Norris, Brookheart and others
and that they would be urged to sup
port a conservative democrat.
The best judgment here Is that the
democrats are leaning upon broker
reed in that expectation. There may
be some irrecohcilable standpatters
who will vote against Mr.. Beveridge
others who may not vote at all. but a.
this stage Of the campaign there l.
no Indication of the existence of q
sufficient number thus inclined to de-
feat him.
In the control Of the state and county
Offices and the seats IN the House, "a,
7contn1sd on Page J. Column -