Evening star., 1927-10-05
Ferris Urged to Run Again as
States Only Democrat
in Congress.
ONE OF TWO PARTIES
MAY MEET IN DETROIT
Reports of Change in Sentiment,
Even by Former McAdoo Sup
porters, Are Heard.
BY G.. GOULD LINCOLN,
STAFF CnrrespOndent of The Star.

| Al Smith of New York, if nominated
| by the Democrats for President. would
run more strongly in Michigan than
any other candidate the party might
put up next year. This is the belief
of both Smith men and some former
| McAdoo Democrats in Detroit. 1t is
suggested, but more in hope than in
belief, that Smith might carry Wayne
County, which includes this heavily
populated city. But that Smith or
any other Democrat could actually
win the electoral votes of Michigan,
| strongly Republican for years, does
| not appear to be on the cards.
If Gov. Smiths name is entered IN
the Statewide presidential preferen-
tial primary next Spring he Will win
the party preference. He VIII WIN II
against any other Democrat who
might enter. This was told me by
one of the principal mainstays and
wheel horses of the party in the State,
| a man who formerly had not been FOR
smith. In 1924 the Michigan delega-
ton was divided-with 1212 votes in
the convention for Smith. OF the
other 171a votes SR were McAdoo.
Unless there Is a big shift in senti-
ment, or unless Gov. Smith should
take himself out of the running. he
probably will have practically a solid
delegation from this State in the con-
vention next year.
Vets Strong in Detroit.
The wet" sentiment, which will be
favorable to the Smith candidacy, is
strong in Detroit and some of the
oth r,ifi ht1f
rural sections. Indeed, take the State
by and large, it would vote dry. Two
Of the thirteen congressional districts
are found in Wayne County. Detroit,
and both are represented in Congress
by liberals II. Clancy and
Clarence J. Mcleod. They are Re-
Dublicans. As a matter of fact, the
entire delegation in the House of Rep.
resentatives is Republican in the pres.
ent Congress. Michigan has one lone
Democrat in Congress-Senator Wood
bridge n. Ferris, who comes up for re-
election next year He was former
governor of the State and far and
away the greatest vote getter among
the Democrats OF Michigan today.
The Democrats who are supporting
Gov. Smith for the presidential nomi-
nation insist that he would make a
strong appeal to large number of
the workers in this industrial city.
Not merely, they say, because he is
wet. but also because he appeals to
them as one Of their own kind. a man
who has come up from the sidewalks
Of a great city.
No Change i'm Sentiment Reported.
Many reports are coming to Demo
cratic leaders here of the change in
sentiment which recent months has
brought in connection with the Smith
candidacy. Even the women voters,
in some cases, strong for McAdoo
three and a half years ago. are de-
claring they are not now averse to
the nomination of the New York gov.
ernor, and believe that he is strong
est candidate which the party can
offer next year. Smith is looked upon
as progressive by many Of the
Democrats. notwithstanding the fact
he halls from New York and is q
Tammany man. His stand on public
utilities in the Empire State, par
ticularly on WaterpOwer and it's de-
velopment, has given him this pro.
gressive reputation.
Michigan and more particularly De.
troit. has keen interest just now
in the location of the Democratic ma
tional convention next year. The de-
mOcracy Of the, State is not offering a
favorite son candidate, though if it
did 1t doubtless would be Senator Fer
ris. But the Michigan voters are
seeking the Democratic convention for
Detroit. They believe that the city
can offer many inducements to the
party leaders and the rank and file.
A new auditorium is about to be
opened, capable Of seating $4,000 per-
sons. and at a pinch, 1900. 1t will
be upto.date in its appointments, and.
although it is located a mile and half
from the heart of the city. it is easy
of access through one Of the main
thoroughfares. WNliam- A. Com
stock, Democratic national commit
teeman, has conferred recently with
National Chairman Glenn Shaver in
New York. urging that the convention
he brought to Detroit. He and other
Democratic leaders here believe that
there is good chance of favorable con-
sideration when Detroit's invitation is
| formally submitted to the national
committee in January. They are pre-
pared to raise $125.000 to turn over
to the national committee If the con-
vention is held here.
G. o. r. May Meet There.
The one fly in the ointment. as they
see it now, lies in the fact that the
Republicans may decide to meet in
Detroit. If the Republican convention
comes here, then the Democrats will
probably not push their claims. This
is admitted by Mr.. ComstOck. The
Republican national committee will
meet in December to pick the party's
convention city and thus will have
first choice. Republicans are count
ing upon picking up Senate seat in
Michigan next year.
Senator Ferris was elected In 1922,
! when the Harding administration was
at low ebb in popularity He has
not said definitely whether he will or
will not he a candidate to succeed
himself. He has. ii is said, privately
expressed the desire not to run again.
He is 73 years old. But the party
leaders. realizing his strength with
the voters, will urge him to make the
race, believing that 1t will strengthen
their whole ticket in the State. So
far there has been no crystallization
of sentiment among the Republicans
upon a senatorial candidate.
There are many who would like to
win the nomination. Senator Couzens,
who was reelected last year, has al
ways been reckoned a Detroiter. For
that reason 1t Is likely that the Re-
publican senatorial candidate next
year will be picked from some other
part of the State. Fred w. Green,
| the present governor, 10 mentioned
- a roecihlc Renuhlican candidate