Evening star., 1926-10-20
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS

way coat and q high hat who was
either the Senator himself or his liv-
ing image. The crowds cheered or
jeered. according to their taste. and
when the reviewing stand was reached
a messenger was hastily dispatched
from the stand to invite the Senator
to a seat on the platform. This in
vitation was courteously declined.
There the matter stands. with nobody
ready to say for a certainty whether
it was Willis or his double who
marched. If it was a joke, as is now
the prevailing opinion. the question is
whether, the joke was on Willis or on
the crowds.
DR.. Wayne B. Wheeler, generalis.
simo of the Anti-Saloon League and
spokesman for the drys. Is running
true to form and true to his political
creed which makes the prohibition
cause the paramount consideration.
He urges the voters of Illinois to sup
port Frank L. Smith. the Republican
senatorial nominee. passive dry. and
to ignore the protest candidacy Of the
Republican independent, Magill, lest
by voting for Magill the drys precipi-
tate the election Of Brennan, a wiring
ing wet. To Pennsylvania he sends the
summons to rally to the support Of
William B. Wilson. the Democratic
senatorial candidate. and encompass
the defeat Of Ware and the 'organized
liquor interests" who, he says. are
promoting the Ware candidacy. In New
York his forces are on the firing line
for Cristman, the Independent nomi-
has the slightest show Of winning, but
since Senator Wadsworth. Republi-
can, and Judge Wagner. Democratic.
are both anti.prohibition nominees. DR..
Wheeler realizes he must choose be-
tween two evils. He hopes to bring
about the defeat Of Wadsworth. This
will punish Wadsworth for his de
sertion" Of the prohibition cause and
be an object lesson and warning to
other dry Senators who may be waver-
ing in their allegiance.
y X \ 4
The Coolidge administration has yet
failed to claim credit for the marked
decline in rats in the Treasury under
Republican rule. l. G. Fisk. general
foreman of labor in the Treasury
Building, who includes rat extermi-
nator-in chief" among his titles. re-
ports that In 1922 his force captured
and killed 764 rats in the cellars and
subcellarS of the Treasury. Last year
the total rat death toll there was only
100. This was not due to lessened eff
cheney of his force. but rather to the
fact that there were fewer live rats
on the premises.
~ **
Gene Tunney is ''in bad" in both
political camps in New York. The Re-
publicans corralled him as a stellar
attraction for a monster radio rally.
They cared naught for his personal
politics just so long as he was will
ing to say a few words Of greeting to
his admiring public, under Republican
auspices. Genes friends in the Demo.
cratic ranks were sore. so to retrieve
his error he sent O check for $500 to
AL Smiths campaign fund. Some un.
kind persons hinted that perhaps it
was the money the Republicans had
promised him to speak at their rally.
At any rate. Gov. Smith is reported
to have issued a prompt denial that
Tunney was any particular friend Of
his. II don't know him." said AL. II
am far too busy with State affairs to
have time to cultivate the acquaint.
ance OF prize fighters" Some saw in
the governors words. besides a slam
at Tunney, a gentle dig at his friend,
Mayor Jimmy Walker, who was a
prominent spectator at the Tunney.
Dempsey match and who welcomed
the new champion to New York City.
tCopyrisht. 1926)