The New York herald., 1922-05-24
Democratic Regulars Say
He Can't Win, Despite
Strong Fight.
SENTIMENT is WORKED UP
Publishers Lieutenants Work
ing Hard, but Appear to
Make Little Headway.

Special Dispatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
SYRACUSE May 23.-The Anti-Saloon
League has opened a Statewide fight
against the denomination of Senator
Calder because of his advocacy of a
modified beer and light wine enforce
ment measure. The first result of the
drive appears to be that Calder is get
ting stronger. The reaction in this
section indicates opposition on all sides
to the Volstead act
This and William r. Hearst's activi-
ties for the Democratic nomination for
Governor are the most interesting fea-
lures in these early days of political
campaigning. survey hereabout
shows the Hearst candidacy gets down
to the question whether the New York
publisher can overturn the almost
solid opposition of the upstate Demo-
cratic regulars.
In Onondasa county. home of Gov.
Miller and real headquarters of the
State Republican organization, 1t is taken
for granted that the Governor will be
renominated, that he is stronger than
year ago and that he will be reelected.
Al Smith Could BE "Persuaded."
Word has come from New York
straight through the Tammany channel
that ex-Gov. Smith could be persuaded"
to run for Governor or United States
Senator-preferably the latter-if the
united voice of the people" were to be
heard down in his trucking office. The
same message bears the tidings that in
no event will Mr.. Smith consent to run
on a ticket with Hearst.
Whether this is tip from Tammany
and Murphy to get busy and work up
the demand for Smith is not eviden..
The regulars are saying little. except
that there Is no Hearst sentiment. 1t
may be they are waiting for the first
Hearst drive to spend itself and then
TO come forward with the Smith senti-
ment TO kill off Hearst. The betting in
Syracuse Is about 3 to / that Hearst
will not be nominated.
The liquor situation and the Calder
candidacy are the most surprising de-
velopments so far. The harder the
Anti-Saloon League fights. the stronger
Calder appears to grow. The drys are
carrying their campaign into tho
churches and hamlets in the rural dis
tricts. They accuse Calder of being re-
dictionary on prohibition enforcement
and denounce his bill proposed in Con-
gress for light wines and beer.
Prohibition Is said to be total fail
ure upstate. Liquor Is flowing freely
all through this section as 1t is along
the border and the north country. There
are said to be more drinking places In
Onondaga county to-day than before
prohibition. Fairly good liquor costs
from forty 10 sixty cents a high ball.
The result seems to be a general de-
fAr oh a
prohibition has broken down, the public
js shifting toward r. modified beer and
wine provision. Political leaders say
that up State would give an overwhnln-
ing vote for beer and wine with the sa-
loon left out. NoboIv would stand for
the saloon again Such sentiment. of
course. is strongest in the cities and
tarers off rapidly as one travels into the
cocniry. But Syracuse Is wettcr thar
two years ago, when II went $4,000
against bone dry prohibition.
Some Republican leaders who were
frightened when the Anti-Saoon Lea gie
opened fire on Calder are getting bach
their nerve. The opinion is that Calder
will be renominated. The local organ
ization. George w. Aldridge OF Roches-
ter. and the New York leaders are for
him, and the rest of the party Is ready
TO fall into line. The effect of the An
derson can ign may be to force the
beer and light wine issue into the State
campaign.
Can't See Hearst Sentiment.
william II. Kelly. Democratic county
leader and Charles f. Murphy's chief
lieutenant up State. has declared openly
that there is no Hearst sentiment ap-
parent here.
As in Buffalo. Albany and other sec
tions. the Democrats who are out are
attempting big comeback on the
Hearst boom. There is much talk about
1.-THE little black bag" supposed to con-
tain the 81 100000 Hearst Is charged
with being willing to spend to get that
nomination. but the publishers hackers
scoff at the money talk.
James F. Doyle. Democratic nominee
for Mayor of Syracuse In 1919. is be-
lieved to bo back of the Hearst boom
here There does not appear to be any
sign of Hearst sentiment on the sur
face. His hackers say It Is underneath
and will break out soon The Hearst
men are hard at work and the organiza-
tion Is doing nothing TO offset their
activities.
Seven i'm ten Democrats all through
this section will say quickly that their
first choice for Governor Is Al Smith.
When asked IL they would support
Hearst If nominated. they shrug their
shoulders and do not answer.
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