Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-10-02
SMITH. IS BASIS
Of G. 0. P. PLANS
Many Republicans Fear Cool
idge Is Only One Who Can
Beat Governor.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

The entire Republican campaign for
the presidency is being developed on
the assumption that Gov. Al Smith will
be the Democratic nominee.
If President Coolidge is drafted 20
run it will be because of belief or
the party leaders that he alone could
defeat Smith.
This situation inside the Republican
party has been growing more pro-
nounced since the announced with
drawal of William Gibbs McAdoo from
the race in which it was supposed he
would be a candidate.
Roosevelt Voices View.
The Republicans are talking of the
"Al Smith menace" constantly. The
speech of Col. Theodore Roosevelt be-
fore the Republican State convention
OF New York yesterday in which he
said that for the first time in history
the shadow of Tammany Hall lies
athwart the White House." is in line
with the belief and expressions OF
other prominent Republicans.
Whenever the names of Messrs.
Hoover, Hughes, Lowden or Dawes
are mentioned the invariable query is
whether each could defeat Smith.
On this there is apparently differ.
ence of opinion. Most of the same
leaders, however, when asked IL they
believe the drafting of President Cool
idge would mean certain victory
usually answer in the affirmative.
They think the Presidents hold on
the East is stronger than that OF al
Smith, but they are not sure that
Hoover, Hughes, Lowden or Dawes
could come out Of the East with as
many electoral votes as the New York
governor. and that there is no telling
what the West might do if an Eastern
conservative were nominated.
Liberalism Is Forecast.
So far as big business is concerned,
there is evidence that its fondness Tor
AL Smith as New York governor has
not budged it's strong Republican IN.
clnation in a presidential year ana
that for this reason AL Smiths cam.
naign would take on the nature of
liberal conservatism or even radical
ism in an attempt to win the West.
All this is having it's effect. too, on
the Democrats, so many of whom nave
felt their absence from control so
keenly that they are willing to swal-
low Al Smiths wetness, and every
thing else if it means chance Tor VIC
tory. -
The Republican view that AL Smith
has better chance than any Demo
GRAFT now in the race is shared by SO
many of the organization Democrats
that If the convention were held TO-
morrow there would be little DOUBT OF
the result being Influenced by prac-
teal politics. What may happen De-
tween now and next June depends en-
tirely on the activity OF the anti
Smith forces who have not yet trotted
aa;n candidate
whose vote-getting capacity would
rival that Of the New York Governor.
To select some prominent business
man whose record as a Democrat mas
heen consistent and who would rival
the Republican choice in the East,
NAV appear to present one way out,
but the Democrats fight shy or any
business candidates as rule.
The Democratic convention will take
Mace after the Republicans have
chosen their candidate. If AL Smith
appears certain of the Democratic
nomination, it will almost dictate the
type of Republican who would be
sought to fight him-namely, the best
Vote-getter.
In this respect, the chances of turn
ing TO President Coolidge with a nomi'
nation by reclamation would be better
than if it appeared certain the Demo
Gratis had gotten themselves into SUCH
n tangle that only q colorless candl-
date could come out of it all.
The Republican leaders are conf1-
dent that Messrs. Lowden, Hughes,
Hoover or Dawes could each defeat
any Democrat now being mentioned
with the exception of AL Smith. They
are praying that the Democrats Will
repeat the Madison Square fiasco, that
Smith will retire and that a compro-
mise candidate will be chosen.
Copyright, 1927