The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-03-24
BY RAY TUCKER


Herbert Hoover has a chance to
smash jim Watson's creaking, graft
ridden machine and carry the presi-
dental primary against the veteran
"EooSier politician with the right
kind of campaign, in the opinion of
many political observers here.
Watson's position is weaker than
many outsiders realize, according to
reports of growing dissatisfaction
with the Watson regime and the
corruption blackening so many pub
lie officials and C. o. P. politicians.
But it will take a more Slashing
campaign than that now outlined
by Hoover's State Representatives to
unseat the Senator.
Eager to Gust GrafterS
Indiana, many observers say, is
ready for some one who will put an
end to the reign of graft and NAL
feaSance that has sent so many
office holders to Jail and may send
a dozen more. 1t is eager to be rid
of the invisible and irresponsible
government resulting from open al
lance between Khan dictators and
easy-going political bosses.
The issue of official corruption,
according to many indications, over
shadows such questions as local
pride in Watson, farm relief, Hoo
ver's Republicanism and even the
oil scandals. But it must be dra-
matized for an electorate which has
come to feel that it makes no differ
ence who wins, and therefore stays
away from the polls. 1t is the stay
away crowd Hoover must capture.
Hoover pictured as an anti-cor-
ruption candidate, in the opinion of
many political leaders, would rally
to his standard thousands of indie
pendents, women and disguised Re
publicans who otherwise will not
vote on May 8. Rightly or wrongly,
all these elements hold Watson re-
sponSible for the miSdeeds of his
organization.
Watson Stronghold Open
The farmers, for instance, are re-
ported to be favorable to Watson,
but not enthusiastic. They put little
stock in proteStations that any SEN
ator's heart bleeds for them. 1t is
said that a "clean out corruption"
cry raised by the Hooverites would
more than offset arguments that
Watson has done more for agricul-
ture than Hoover.
Many country banks have fallen
partly as a result of populations by
public officials and KlanSmen, en-
failing heavy losses to depositors.
Hard headed farmers and their
wives have become disguised with
conditions existing during Watson's
leadership, but have no clear way
of expressing themselves.
In the cities, especially Indianap-
oils, disgust at corruption is vide
spread. Six city councilmen face
trial here at the present moment.
A frank assault on these evils by
Hoover, it is believed, might prove
Watson'S undoing. In no other way,
dCCOIO4liS W bIlOOC Oll OAIO 44OlAtt Vail
the Cabinet member hope to over
come the handicap of Watson'S
twenty years of practical politics.
Friendly Campaign Work
So far local Hoover managers
show no disposition to base their
fight on this ready-made issue. They
have promised "goodnatured
campaign, with no hard feeling"
Naturally, the Watson camp is
elated at this prospect of quiet
and dignif1ed scrap, and have re-
ciprocated with assurances that the
Senator will engage in no mud
singing"
Hoover, it appears, has chance
to win if he makes his fight as an
advocate of decent government,
State and national, with particular
reference to long-suffering Indiana.
But he will have a hard job if he
tries to play the same kind of po-
litical poker that has enable Watson
to squeeze out other rivals.