Evening star., 1928-04-04
Politics at Large
By C.. Could Lincoln.

Al Smltn upon the DemOCrAtlC pTcSl-
Dental nomination have so far been
unavailing. Out In Wisconsin, where
there have been few Democrats in re-
cent years, the dry faction OF the party
put forward Senator Thomas j. Walsh
OF Montana, who was born In the Bad
ger State. to compete with Smith In the
ing to the reports, however. notWith-
standing the fact that two sets OF
Smith delegates" we're entered, divid-
ing the vote, Smith was triumphant at
the primary there yesterday. He Is to
have all 26 Of Wisconsin's votes In the
Democratic national convention. Per-
| haps this is not so surprising in view of
| the wetness of Wisconsin.
| 1t was significant that Senator James
A. Reed of Missouri did not enter a
delegate slate in the Wisconsin contest,
but merely entered his name in the
presidential preference vote. Neither
Smith nor Walsh entered the preferen-
tial primary, so 1t goes to Reed. The
| preference NOtC ID IlCiGIy dOFIoOlJ y anu
not binding upon the delegation. But
| it might lead the delegation to vote for
Reed as second choice at the national
convention, If Smith does not receive
the nomination. Reed. it appears. is out
to build up a big second choice follow
ing, and Is playing this game adroitly.
The New York governor will have
So district delegates from New York
State and when the State committee
meets April II ne will receive four
more. the delegates at large. 1t would
have been a real surprise If the governor
had not obtained the solid delegation
from the Empire State. Nevertheless,
the fact that the governor has New
York's votes behind him will do him no
harm in the coming convention. In ad-
| ditiOn TO the New York and Wisconsin
successes yesterday, the Democrats Of
Maine decided to instruct all IL Of the
States delegates for the New York
governor. Good political pickings for
one day! So far there has been no real
setback for the New York governor.
| His greatest danger in the primary
| fights appears to be in California, where
the drys are up In arms under the lead
ership Of William Gibbs McAdoo and
his friends. They are seeking to hand
California's delegation to Senator
Thomas j. Walsh Reports from the
! State are conflicting, both sides claim
ing victory. The primary is May /.
| On Monday the Democrats of Michi-
| gan elected Smith delegation to the
national convention and the preference
| vote Of the State was given to him over
! whelmingly. Illinois. on April 10. is
| expected to choose a delegation that
! will be overwhelmingly favorable TO the
! nomination of the Governor of New
! York. The Smith chariot, therefore
| rolls on apparently unchecked If the
| dryS and the Southern Democrats who
| are opposing the nomination of AL
| Smith are to make headway. they must
begin soon. A band wagon movement
usually has all the force of steam
roller.
| Whether Senator FeSs of Ohio Is 10
| be elected delegate at large or not
| to the Republican national convention
| he is bound to play an important part
| in that convention. His selection as
| temporary chairman by the committee
| on arrangements. meeting in Kansas
| City yesterday. assures this. He will
| deliver the keynote" speech. 1t is of
| more than passing interest that SEN
| ator FeSs has been a dyed-in- the wool
| draft Coolidge Republican. ever since
| the President issued his Il do not
| choose" statement last August. 1t is
! also of interest that Chairman William
M. Butler Of the Republican national
| committee. former Senator from
/ Massachusetts and the manager Of
President Coolidge's 1924 campaign. was
| the man who really named Senator
/ Fess for the job OF 'keynoter," Sen
| ator FesS. IL Is true. in recent weeks
| has admitted that he believed the Presi-
| dent out of the presidential race en-
| tirely. Chairman Butler has given IL
| as his opinion. too. that the people OF
| Massachusetts, have accepted the PreSi-
dents expressed wish not 10 run again
| as his determination.
| Senator FeSs is a candidate for dele
| gate at large on the willis ticket in
! Ohio. Notwithstanding that fact. he
has been personally favorable TO the
| nomination OF Secretary Hoover Of the
| Department of Commerce. II President
| Coolidge could not be drafted. His
| designation as "keynoter" may increase
/ his chances OF election as delegate at
! large. His second choice. given under
! the Ohio primary law. IS Senator Cur
! tis of Kansas. His first choice, Senator
! Willis. is dead. Under the circum-
stances IT does not appear that Senator
| Fess will have great difficulty voting
| for either President Coolidge, SHOULD
! his name come before the convention
| or for Mr., Hoover.
| The Ohio campaign Is 10 continue
| notwithstanding the death OF Senator
/ Willis, along Hoover and anti-HooVeE
! lines 1t was either this or some move
| TO get together on the part OF the Re-
| publicans supporting Willis and Hoover
| It is Hoover against the field, as was
| expected. Frank o. Lowden Is the sec
| ond choice OF "a of the Willis dele
| gates. and Senator Curtis OF Kansas,
| the second choice of 8 OF the Willis del
ceates. At present the campaign seems
TO favor Mr. Hoover The faVorlte
son appeal Is gone Then. from the
standpoint of practical politics Senator
| Willis is no longer at the head on a
strongly built organization throughout
the State. The men who have been ap-
| pointed TO office throughout the state
with the approval OF Senator Wills no
longer have him 10 look at, New
alignments may be expected For the
| present the situation seems to favor
MIR. Hoover, and generally 1t Is ex~
DfEteu lie Will VIII " A1albhARS ~ NA'>
delegates from Ohio Sentiment has
done queer things in political cam-
| paigns in the past. however. Should a
wave of sentiment run over the State
| for the late Senator Willis. the cam
| paign. still conducted largely III his
name. might have unexpected results.
y
/ The drys backed Senator Willis, for
| the most part because he had been
| great worker in the cause OF prohibition
| for years Doubtless efforts Will be made
| To line up the same drys for Mi. Low
| den But Mr.. Lowden has failed Ia
| answer the prohibition quesuonnaire
| sent him by Senator Borah OF Idaho,
There have been repeated rumors that
| he was Withholding an answer at least
| nnIu after the Illinois urinary. Antll