Evening star., 1922-08-08
&c. 0. ?. ISSUES STIR
OHIO VOTERS TODAY
Shall State Swing to Pro-
gressivism, important
Primary Question.
DRYS AND VETS CLASH
Senator Pomerene and Representa-
tive Fess Attacked by Labor
Ballot.
DRYS AND VETS CLASH

COLUMBUS, Ohio. August S.-Ohio
voters today are waging a battle of
ballots that will determine whether
the state, so far as the republican
party is concerned, shall swing into
the progressive column, or remain
conservative as 1t decided by a
Harding landslide two years ago:
whether it will continue to stand for
strict prohibition enforcement or ad-
vocate an alteration of the Volstead
act that will permit the sale of light
wine and beer.
Both issues are being fought out in
the campaign for governor. Nomina-
ton of Carmi A. Thompson of Cleve-
land would decide in favor Of prohi-
bition and the national administra-
ton. The success Of Representa-
tive C. L. Knight OF Akron or
Daniel w. Williams. Jackson. pub
Usher. would mark victory for
the progressives. A victory by c.
Homer Durand, CoShocton at
torney, would be a reputation of the
Volstead act and an Endorsement Of
restoration of light wines and beer.
Nomination of Harvey G. Smith of
GAINESVILLE, present secretary of state,
would also be a rout for both the ad-
ministration forces and the Anti
Saloon League. Smith drew the Op-
position of the administration forces
early in 1920, when, as states chief
election officer, he refused to limit
the Harding candidates for delegate
to the national convention to those
having the approval of the presiden-
tial candidate. He has been classed
as wet" by the dry organization.
Two Foes Of Labor.
Defeat of either Senator Atlee
Pomerene for denomination on the
democratic ticket or of Representa-
tive s. D. Fess on the republican
ticket would mean victory for or
ganized labor. which has cast its lot
with former Representative John J..
Lentz of Columbus. against Senator
Pomerene, and with former Senator
Charles Dick Of Akron against Rep
resentative Fess.
The prohibition issue became even
more intense on the eve of the bal
loting by the fling of proposed
constitutional amendment. with the
Secretary of State calling for restora-
ton Of light wines and beer. Spon-
sors of the proposed amendment
claimed that 230.022 signatures, many
those of women, were attached to the
petition. The amendment. unless 1t
is ruled off the ballot by the courts.
will be voted upon at the November
election.
None OF the predominating issues.
progressivism. prohibition or labor
have entered extensively into the
congressional races. All the incum-
bents. except Knight. in the four
teenth, and Fess. in the seventh. who
are candidates for governor and sem
atCr. respectively. are seeking re-
nomination. In most instances they
have opposition. but the opposition
is either personal or based on local
are expected by political leaders to
be renominated. On the democratic
ticket. in predominant democratic dis
tricts. representatives defeated two
years ago in the Harding Landslide
are trying comeback
Issues Not CIear-Cut.
The democratic contest for governor
has failed to bring out clear-cut issues
among the three candidates. former
State Auditor A. V. Donahey of Phila-
delphia. who was the nominee in 1920:
former State Supreme Court Justice
James G. Johnson of Springfield and
Thomas J. Duffy Of East Liverpool,
chairman Of the state Industrial COM
Both Donahey and Johnson have
received Endorsements from a number
of county organizat tions, Johnson's in
Guiding the strong Cuyahoga county
(Cleveandl organization. Duffy, a
Catholic. is expected to receive con-
support from members Of that
church, though the religion has not been
made an issue by his opponents. Duffy
is also expected to receive heavy
labor vote. The contest is expected to
be close.
Other candidates seeking the repub-
lican gubernatorial nomination are
Rupert r. Beetham Of Cadiz, speaker
of the state house OF representatives,
who has advocated strict prohibition
enforcement: State Senator Arthur H.
Day of Cleveland, world war veteran:
J. w. Durnall Of Columbus, a light
winec and-beer advocate. and Harvey C.
Smith. Cleveland. negro publisher.