Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-04-30
P|NCH0T HUST[|NG
FOR G0vERNORSH|P
Campaign Compared to
Spring Freshet-0ther Con-
tests in Keystone State.

HARRISBURG. Pa, April 29.-Gif-
ford Pinchot's campaign for the re-
publican nomination for Governor of
Pennsylvania. which has been COM
pared to spring flood Unexpectedly
sweeping the populous valleys of the
Keystone state, will probably crest
in the first ten days of May. There
is no question of the strength and
extent of the support of the former
forester today. but the old republic
can state organization has COM
menced to recover from the disturb
! ing effects of the stating of Attorney
General George E. Alter and to mus
ter its forces to drive back the inva-
sion. which came with the force and
suddenness of an April freshet. II
Mr.. Pinchot can hold the gains he has
made and maintain in the first week
or SO of May the aggressiveness he
has displayed in the last month. he
Will give the organization handed
perience of its existence.
Up Against Strong Orxanisatio
But while the forester has spread
out with the rapidity and force Of ris-
ing waters. he is drying against an
organization that goes into near 5000
election districts.
The forester drew to him a per-
sonal following, many Of the Roose-
welt element and critics of the state
administration. when he started. Fore
ing of the two rivals Off the ticket to
make way for Attorney General
George E. Alter. the choice of the
governor and various influential ele-
ments opposing the candidacy Of John
S. Fisher. aroused such resentment
that Pinchot gained still more. and
when Fisher withdrew the most po-
tentia1 factors of his organization
aligned themselves with the forester.
although for years Numerically op-
posed in politics. And when they
merged 1t Is apparent no questions
were asked and no promises given.
Added to the granger and labor ele-
ments which support Pinchot. there
Is now an energetic manufacturing
group and many men who carry op-
position to Gov. William c. Sproul al
most to the personal stage.
Effect OF Alters Candidacy.
Appearance of Mr.. Alter on the
paign. because the attorney general,
while possessing few oratorical gifts,
has strong. likable personality, and
being a man of imposing stature,
somewhat on the Lincoln order, made
few speeches but did a lot of hand
Alter has been going a week. and
meanwhile the old organization lead
ers have been getting into action.
Unfortunately, both candidates have
fallen heir to numerous local fights,
some of which involve congressional,
state senatorial and state committee
seats, and have to campaign amid the
turmoil following the death Of an
acknowledged leader with no one to
wear his mantle.
Senatorial Campaign.
Representative William J. Burke
has been touring the, state in his
campaign against Senator George
Wharton Pepper, but has been draw
ing only the railroad and labor ele-
ments. The trade union forces seem
to be inclined toward Pinchot. but It
Is notorious fact they do not vote
heavily and, like the granger ele-
ment, also behind Pinchot, may be
busy on primary day. Burke will
take some votes away frop the Phil
but how he can defeat him is not
now apparent. Mai. David A. Reed
is having little trouble in his cam
paign for the western seat There
are reports Senator William E. Crow
will relinquish the seat after the pri-
mary. and the governor will then
appoint the major. who Is a brilliant
young lawyer. with military record.
No Other Statewide Contests.
There are no other republican state
wide contests, but plenty Of congress
sional battles, some of the figures
Of the Pennsylvania delegation, like
Bstler, Kiess, Kreider. Focht, McF'ad-
den and Griest, having opposition, al
though in some cases not to be classed
as formidable.
The democrats have only one con-
test, and have been showing dis
position to harmonic at dinners and
utilize every possible advantage from
the republican fight. John A. McSpar-
ran, who will be named for governor.
is a granger with a fluent tongue
and long experience on legislative
side lines. He has more elements of
the Pennsylvania democracy behind
him since Pattison, fact which will
make him dangerous to an extent lit
tie realized now.