New Britain herald., 1928-08-18
DEMOCRATIC BID FOR FARMERS AND
REPUBLICANS DRIVE IN SOUTH ARE ON


remotely on the question Of agri-
culture.
Most of the public discussion of
prohibition hinges for the present
around Secretary Hoover's accept
ance and declaration against repeal
of the eighteenth amendment, and
against any modification hat would
mean notification. Dry leaders the
country over hailed this pronounce
ment as = clearcut bone dry comit-
ment. although it was pointed out
by Mr.. Hoover's close advisers that
he did not mention the Volstead act
by name and did refer to certain
abuses which must be remedied. So
great was the outpouring of praise
from southern drys that the NOM
inee listened attentively to promis-
es that the south could be won over
from the democrats. and tentative
plans were made for him to deliver
one or two speeches In that section
later in the campaign. Chairman
Work even went so far as to pre-
dict that the south would be a real
battle-ground.
The vistory Of the Anti. Saloon
League in nominating most of if not
all OF its major candidates In the
Ohio primaries was pronounced by
the republican leaders, as a prom
Using sign of Hoover dry sweep in
the midwest; conclusion promptly
disputed by the democrats.
The week also saw F.. X. Gaylord,
the Oklahoma City publisher, and
Wayne Williams a former demo-
cratic attorney general of Colorado,
quit the Smith camp, and Alfred c.
+. Meyer, republican banker of st.
Louis, come out for Smith, all be-
cause OF prohibition.
At Albany. the democratic nomi-
nee talked with such dry leaders as
Glass OF Virginia, who emerged
from the executive mansion as silent
as when he entered; Daniels Of
North Carolina. who said he was
satisfied Smith would enforce the
law; and others.
Thus the matter stands az the
country awaits Gov. Smiths prom
Used discussion OF the prohibition
question in his acceptance speech
next Monday.
A third declaration In Secretary
Hoover's Stanford University ad-
dress which evoked widespread dis /
cussion was his condemnation of
religious intolerance. But it did not
quiet the religious issue. Nor does
Gov. Smiths sharp exchange with
DIR. John Roach ,Straton. evidently
marking the collapse Of negotiations
for joint debate, appear to have
ended public discussion of Smiths
fitness for public leadership.
Plain-speaking on the religious is-
sue. accompanied by clamor and dis
order. rocked = gathering OF schools
at a University of Virginia public
forum. The Rev. Albert C. Dieffen- i,
bach, OF Boston, editor of the Chris
tian Register, argued that no Roman
Catholic should become president be-
cause that church never had relent-
ed Its absolute claim to primacy
over the state" He was answered
by half dozen, who mixed charges
of "btgotry" with illusions to the
political parsons of Professionalism.
In the midst Of these searching
discussions, and even before the pre-
Of the campaign are over.
the political layman flnds himself
bombard ed with the most sweeping
victory IN battle whose
lines are still somewhat in
distinct. Hoover is absolutely GER
tain to sweep the south says sena-
tor Doe, a republican. Smith will
carry Pennsylvania by 200, 0O0," says
Governor Roe, who, it turns out, Is
q democrat. Solemniy these pre-
dictions are handed out. neatly
typed. by the respective party head
quarters.
The reader is left to take. his
choice between the chalmers who be-
lieve in claiming plenty while they
are at It: such predictions az that
Of the usually frank Senator Moses,
who says its a fight, and a hard
one, but We'll win," or that of the
usually astute Col House, who says
he hopes Smith will come out win
ner, but isn't ready to venture a pre-
diction.