The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1924-04-05
By WILL M. MACPIN.


Chadron, Neb., April I'm times
gone by one might travel for a week
or two just before a primary cam
paign and get a pretty fair idea OF
what the voters are thinking about.
Right now the task is extremely diff
l4flcult. Political activity never was
at a lower ebb, however much the
people may be thinking about policies
and candidates. Republican and demo
cratic workers of the old school mere
ly throw up their hands when asked
about the political situation. They do
not know, and admit II.
Scores of these old.time party
workers declare that the primary law
has destroyed political parties and
opened up the way for attacks from
within by men who seek through the
primary TO obtain nominations. but
who could not get to first base in a
delegate convention.
In a jouuey that has covered
nearly 1000 miles. in which more
than 80 towns and cities have been
visited, your correspondent has not
found one man who is openly in favor
OF the present primary law. Scores
OF men have denounced II. but not
one of them expressed a willingness
to enter upon a campaign to have 1t
either repealed or simplified. 1t
seems to be a law that everybody is
for and nobody wants.
Observers at Sea.
But, whatever the cause, the fact
still remains that men who hereto
fore could be depended upon 10 know
the drift of political thought now
admit that they are all at sea. But
one who makes careful inquiry. and
approaches the task automatically.
may safely make some deductions.
There is a very apparent revulsion
of feeling towards the Investigations
now rampaging In Washington.
few months ago the people were
ldrmfounded at the revelations in
the oil scandal. They insisted then
as they insist now. that the investiga-
tions be pushed and the guilty ferreted
out. They did not allow partisanship
to enter into the matter at all. And
so long as the investigations appeared
to be for the sole purpose of ferreting
cut the guilty and melting out proper
punishment. the people were unani-
mously In favor of thorough inquiry
But the people are rapidly becom-
ing convinced that the investigations
have degenerated into a partisan poll
tical farce. pushed by a few southern
senator's who seem willing to go to
any length TO advance their partisan
cause. Democrats throughout Ne
braska who are not mere partisans
are already fearful that the reaction
has set in, and whatever of advan-
ltage was gained by the initial disclos-
ures are now discounted by tactics
that they now admit would not be toll
Grated in the court of a justice OF the
peace. That President Coolidge is
growing stronger each day because
of his poise and his refusal TO be
stampeded by popular clamor. il SO
apparent that It is becoming the sub
| ject of widespread comment.
Sloan Develops Strength.
Considering its Importance the sena-
torial situation Is receiving all too
little attention. but it is very evident
that Sloan sentiment Is growing rapid
ly. A month ago II was taken for
granted that Norris would win easily.
But during the last three or four
weeks Norris has been steadily losing
ground. and Sloan has been develop
ing strength on all sides. Men who
have supported Norris all the years
he has been in congress now seem
willing 10 take him at his word.
wherein he admits that he has failed.
and are beginning TO come out in In
creasing numbers for Sloan as against
man who admits failure In the
past and faces the future without
hope.
There are some influences at work
In Sloan's behalf that are wholly
unorganized. and have seemed 10
spring up spontaneously as thorough
understanding of the situation Is
grasped. Ex service men. wholly
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