The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-08-18
BY THOMAS L. STOKES,
Omitted Press STAFF CorrespOnden)


Copyright. 1928. by United Press
The participation of Negro lead
ers in southern Republican organi-
cations, some of whom now are
under fire for their conduct, may be
the decisive factor in keeping the
Solid South solid for Governor AL
fred E. Smith, according to reports
gathered by United Press.
Democrats, at least, are planning
to make the most of recent revela-
lions in several States, while Re-
publican organizations in some cases
are split because Of recognition by
national leaders Of the Negro wing.
Democratic campaigners and
Democratic editors are explaining
that the recent senatorial and JUS
tice Department Investigations in
Georgia and Mississippi showed that
white postmasters and postmis-
tresses have had to pay tribute to
Negro Republican leaders to hold
their jobs.
u. ~. +. Negro OuSCed
No action followed the Senate
committees investigation in Geor-
gia, Congress being in adjournment.
However, the justice department in
vestigation in Mississippi, instigated
by Mrs. Mabel Walker Willebrandt,
assistant attorney general and Hoo
yer lieutenant, resulted in the in
dictment of Perry Howard, Missis-
sippi Negro national committeeman,
along with seven others, and How
ards dismissal as an assistant at
torney general in Washington.
Hoover is given credit for ousting
Howard and feeling is reported
some better toward the Republican
candidates since the Negro was in
dicted for misusing Federal patro-
mage and dismissed from the justice
department.
Some political significance is at.
.tached to the fact that the trial of
Howard and\ the others has been
delayed until after the November
election, but the case is making the
tuSuas COurG speed.
+, There are prospects of investiga-
,tions later by the Senate commit
tee, perhaps not until after the
election, in Tennessee and South
Carolina. The committee, it is
known, has been informed of
charges of alleged bartering of Fed
eral Offices in both these States.
This brings four States into the
domain of alleged patronage abuse
by Negro Republicans, and the
charges raised there will be re-
peated in every other southern
State by Democratic campaign
orators.
Beyond these development tend
ing to discredit Negro Republican
leaders, there are actual splits in
the Republican organizations in
two southern States, Tennessee and
Mississippi, which will weaken the
Republican campaign.
Negroes, Whites Battle
Negro and white factions are
battling now for control of the Re-
publican organization in Tennessee.
r. r. (Bob) Church, leader of the
Negro organization, has been recog-
nized by the national organization.
He led a successful fight a Kansas
City to have his delegates seated
over those of the oily white" group.
Should the fight between Church
and the white faction continue I'M
til the election, chances of Repub-
ltcan success would be greatly
lessened. One Tennessee political
observer reports that it appeared
certain Hoover would carry ZEN
nessee until Church and his dele
cation were seated at Kansas City.
Church has been a power in Re
publican politics, not only in Ten
nessee but throughout the South.
How Tennessee goes in November
may depend on what, if anything,
happens to Church between now
and that time, according to United
Press reports from Tennessee.