Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-23
KEYSTONE c. 0. P.
CENTERS EFFORTS
Will Concentrate on 0rgani-
zation in Fourteen
Counties.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
HARRISBURG. Pa. September az
While Democratic leaders continue 10
claim Pennsylvania for Smith by 10000
majority, the leaders of the Republican
organization, following a survey of the
State, are convinced SO Of the 81 coun-
ties are safely in the Hoover column.
The Republican campaign during the
six weeks remaining before election will
be concentrated in the IA counties
which organization leaders class 2;
doubtful at this time.
These counties include few which
are normally Democratic by fair mar
gin. The others, however, include some
of the most populous and wetteSt coun-
ties of the State. the industrial and
mining centers. The most forceful po-
lltical orators will be sent into those
counties during October
Radio to Be Used.
Radio will play an important part in
the closing weeks of the campaign. The
Republicans started campaign broad
casting within the State on Thursday
and expect to continue until the very
eve of election.
w. L. Mellon. former Republican
State chairman and nephew of the Sec
rotary of the Treasury, will return from
Europe within a few days. AS soon AS
his business engagements will permit
he is expected to meet with Gov. Fisher,
Joseph r. Grundy, president Of the
Pennsylvania Manufacturers Associa-
ton, and Gen. Edward Martin. Repub-
lican State chairman. in conference
which will determine the final strategy
of the campaign. The budget total for
the campaign within the State will
doubtless be fixed at this meeting. Col
lectionS for the fund started this week,
the initial move being letter asking
contributions from State employees.
1t is probable that the members of
the Mellon conference will advise Her.
bert Hoover not to accept an invitation
to speak extended by the Philadelphia
organization. The organization leaders
| feel Hoover'S presence will not be need
ed in Pennsylvania. Should Hoover
speak here, after Smith speeches in
Pennsylvania were announced, some of
the workers feel that the claims that
Pennsylvania is doubtful this year would
be considered as more plausible because
of Hoovers presence.
Return to Parties.
The tide of party changing, which
appeared to be rising rapidly during
| the earlier stages of the campaign,
seems to be ebbing now. Registration
| of voters, completed in rural districts
but continuing in cites until october 8,
seems to indicate voters are returning
| to their parties, while many new voters,
principally women, are qualifying. In
some districts enrollments have doubled
or trebled, the greatest increase being
among women.
The trend to party regularity is
| counted upon by Republican leaders to
help them in the bigger cities. They
report that in the Pittsburgh district,
where Smith sentiment was running
high month and six weeks ago. danger
to the Republican ticket is past. IN
Philadelphia, where they never con-
ceded there was basis for Democratic
hopes of success, they are of the opin-
ion Hoover will get a very large ma
jority. In the rural counties the obli-
CATION of party regularity has never
been accepted as fully as in the cities,
and there the Republicans rely largely
upon the depth of feeling on the pro-
hibition and religious questions to roll
up unprecedented majorities against
Smith. WALTER D. ROOS.