Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-05-15
By DAVID

oy OSVvD GOr1o DE0
Special Correspondent u The Great Falls Tribune.
Copyright. 1922. BY The Great Falls Tribune.
Harrisburg, May 1.-THE greatesr
battle in 20 years of Pennsylvania
political history will be fought out at
the primary polls Tuesday next, with
Clifford Pinchot, independent and pro-
gressive republican, pitted against At
torney General George Alter, organ
ization candidate, for the republican
gubernatorial nomination.
Backed by T. r. Sentiment
Starting out with the odds all against
him, Pinchot has made a brilliant fight
and, from a seemingly hopeless situa-
ton, has brought the result into doubt.
The under bosses" of the state. lack
ing the leadership of the lamented Pen
rose. are proclaiming a sweeping vie
tory for Alter, but they are shaking
in their boots lest they lose complete
control Of the state.
Pinchot is backed by the Roosevelt
sentiment in the state which rolled up
such an impressive vote for the colonel
in 1912. He also has with him a host
of minor state leaders who, with the
ponderous shadow of Penrose removed.
are showing their first attempt at indie
p%endence.
S0ndt0rSnipS are DECIDED
There is also to be a senatorial vote
on Tuesday, but the contest for the two
Pennsylvania seats in the upper branch
of congress has narrowed to the ex-
tent that a fairly positive forecast may
be made. Major David A. Reed, vet
eran of the world war, is very unop-
posed for the short term. as successor
TO the late Senator Knox. Actually he
will succeed Senator Crow. who was
appointed by Governor Sproul. but who
has been too i'll to serve at Washing
ton. For the term expiring 1927 as
successor to Senator Penrose, Senator
George Wharton Pepper is opposed by
Congressman William J. Burke, but
will win over this opposition by a fair
" large majority.
White House Vision In Fight
The real interest of the primaries
centers in the gubernatoriaI race and
its significant struggle between the
progressive and re%actionary elements
Of the republican party. The nomina-
ton, and the friends of Clifford Pin
chou are predicting that if he wins, he
will become an increasingly powerful
figure in the nation. Some do not hest
tate to mention the presidency as the
goal Of his ambitions. !
Philadelphia May Swing Scale
The Pinchot people fear only the
votes Of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia,
with the latter probably swinging the
scales one way or the other. The Pin
chOt forces have been making some
Roadway in Pittsburgh, but Philadel-
phia has been a serious problem with
its boss -ridden wards and its tremend-
Gus organization vote. Pinchot has had
a jealous friend, however. in Mayor
j. Hampton Moore, of the Quaker City.
and the mayor has exerted every eff
fort to see that q fair count of the bal
lots is had. He has even transferred
all city policemen suspected of po-
lltical activity. !
State Outside for Pinchot /
1t virtually is conceded that Pinchot {
will knock at the doors of Pittsburgh {
majority. There is even the belief I
that, with Pittsburgh included. he will q
get to Philadelphia on the winning side. I
What will happen her remains to be |
seen. But if Philadelphia throws Pin
rhot over AND makes Attorney General f
the candidate. the fight in the +
republican party of the state will have 9
Just begun and the result may have
4 lasting effect upon the party's future. \
Inspired by Penrose Opening 5
Pinchot, who has been state forester a
lnder Governor SprouI for last two Il
ears, tossed his hat in the ring at a a
line when there were five aspirants il
or the republican nomination. The S
Heath Of Senator Penrose had left
vide open the field and the former
leader was quick to recog-
it's possibilities. Under the v
strength of the Pinchot campaign, the +
'ther aspirants dropped away one by O
me until at last only the organization "
sandidate, Alter. remained. A month |,
Pinchot seemed beaten. But much Il