Evening star., 1924-08-16
AL SMITH POWER
=. =. IN DAVIS CAUSE
= ..
Democratic Leaders Believe
New York Governor Real
Moses of Campaign.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

tunity for John W. Davis lies in
ffty-fifty split of the Republican vote
of the West between La Toilette and
Coolidge not a few chieftains are in
Sistent that Gov. AL Smith is democ-
racy's real Moses and that upon his
decision the whole course of the
Democratic campaign in the East will
turn.
Al Smith. it would seem. has it in
his power to be the innocent means
of injuring the Davis candidacy or
helping it. Just now the most inter-
csting discussions are going on which
indicate conclusively that John w.
Davis himself is deeply concerned over
the trend of Gov. Smiths mind.
To understand the situation. with
its many sides. il must be remcm-
hered that the close friends of AL
Smith have not given up hope of
ultimately landing him in the White
House While the Governor himself
Will render loyal support. he cannot
control all of his follow: RS. Some of
them, he thinks. might vote for him
and cut Davis. on the mistaken as
sumption that in this way they could
demonstrate the truth of their pre-
convention boast that Al Smith could
carry New York even in presiden-
tial year
The governor has said 10 close
friends that if he ran for recollection
lie might not be helping Davis to poll
the normal Democratic vote. He ar
=ued that possibly he would do more
good by stumping other states, like
New Jersey. Connecticut. Massachu-
!etts and Rhode island, where he is
admittedly popular and would draw
enormous crowds. whereas if he ran
for Governor of New York all his time
would have to be devoted to speech
making in the Empire State itself
Preparing for 1928.
This viewpoint has been miSrepre-
sented. as it has percoiated through
Democratic channels into a story that
the real purpose of the governors ad-
Vlsers in dissuading him from run
ming is selfish one. and that they
really want him to spend his time on
the stump, not in the East, but in the
west, IN preparation for the 1928
Campaign. This theory is prcdicated
on the notion that Al Smith needs to
establish contacts in the West, that
LAWS VIII not be victorious. anyhow.
and that to help Davis carry the East
py running for Governor of New York
ana carrying Davis along might by
Shance bring Davis into the White
rouse, IN which case he would be the
osioal candidate to succeed himself
IN 1928, and there would be no chance
for Al Smith to win nresidnntiaI
honors - 'iai
Ihls correspondent came back from
ti2rksburg. W. Va, on the same train
with several Tammany leaders and
discussed the gubernatorial si1uation
with them. They gave the sincere
impression that while anxious indeed
ior the triumph of John Davis be-
cause ne has on more than one oc-
'asioh SHOWN distinct friendliness
- olsahiZation men in politics, their
tnlef, concern after all is the local
Democratic ticket They-meaninp
Idmmany-want to win. No vote
Setter like AL Smith has appeared
In d generation in New York politics
SO while they know of AL Smiths dis
inclination to run again, they feel
he would insure the victory of the
state and local. tickets and they pre-
fer him to make the race. If it helps
the national ticket well and good.
If it doesn't, at least the local candi-
dates Will have been swept into
power.
Davis Wants Smith.
Although nobody has the right to
Speak for John Davis authoritatively
except himself, some of the Demo-
Gratis, who have discussed the New
York situation with him, are confident
he wants AL Smith to run for COVER
nor again. No statement to that
effect will come from Mr.. Davis, be-
cause if Al Smith is going to rum he
Will do so not as an adjunct 10 the
national ticket with a half hearted in
terest in his own race, but in re-
sponse to the demand of the people of
New York State for another admins
tration of their affairs at Albany The
last time he ran he did not disclose
his intention too early in the race.
Should AL Smith fail to become the
Democratic nominee for Governor of
New York it may be seriously doubted
whether his stump speaking will be
In the West. AL Smith is known as a
wet and the Democratic managers
would be taking big chance to send
any pronounced wet" to the dry West
to tell the people of the arid belt
how to vote. In the East however,
where to be wet in politics is con-
sidered no great handicap, but on the
contrary, in the larger cities is a great
asset, the New York Governor would
be helping Davis by giving him en-
thusiastic support. Nor would there
be any question of sincerity involved
because Al Smith had the delegations
from the big eastern states at last
month convention and could have
them again if he runs in 1928.
McAdoo to Speak.
The strength of William Gibbs
McAdoo was in the West. According
to letters received here from Europe,
Mr.. McAdoo plans to make speeches
for John Davis in the West, endeavor-
ing to hold the radical Democrats to
the Davis and Bryan standard.
With Smith pulling hard in the
East and McAdoo in the West, the
Democrats hope to keep their lines
steady against the La Toilette in
vasion SO that the Wisconsin in
dependent may gather most of his
votes from the Republican party For
the outcome of the election depends
almost entirely on how many Re
publican votes La Toilette can take
away from what might under other
circumstances have been expected to
be a solid Republican vote for
Coolidge. If he takes so per cent
everywhere and the Democrats hold
their own, the pluralities of 1912
might be repeated. But will La
Toilette get so per cent of the Re-
publican vote" The Republican man.
ayers insist he will not, and they
deny him the prospect of as much as
20 per cent outside of his own strong
holds in a few states.
Copyright, 192iD