Evening star., 1928-08-12
SMITH VS.. STRATON
DEBATE AWAITED
Governors Challenge to Pas
tor Brings Varied Criticism
in New York.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
ALBANY N, Y. August lt.-Gov
Al Smiths campaign for the presi-
dency promises to be nothing II not
picturesque. With the battle not really
under way the governor has already
succeeded in crashing onto the first
page Of newspapers with such a con-
sistency that reporters who are cover
ing" him here remark upon it,
He gave striking example OF this
first page proclivity during the past
week when he sent a singing letter to
Rev Dr. John Roach Straton, pastor
Of Calvary Baptist Church of New
York City. taking the clergyman TO
task for declaring in n sermon that the
governor is the "deadliest foe in Amer
ica today Of the forces of moral prog
resS and true political wisdom The
letter took the form Of a challenge 10
Or. Strston TO repeat the statement in
the governors presence in his own
church and permit the governor to
reply to this statement and any ques-
tions Or, Straton might wish to pro-
pound The challenge was promptly
accepted
~ SlaFtHnE Al0Nf
II was startling political move
which brought forth varied reaction
here, Some of the political wise-aCres
declared that the governor had made a
real mistake Unchallenged they said,
Or. StratonS statement would have
passed almost unnoticed. known only to
his congregation and a comparatively
limited reading public in New York
State. Furthermore, these arguers
held. because Of Dr.. Straton's reputa-
tion for startling statements and ac-
tionz. they believed little attention
would have been given the statement
even by those who saw it, But ths
governor brought il into the limelight
Of national attention which. they
liking
On the other hand. others here held
that the governors challenge was
typically clever piece of politics Dr.
Stratons attack was only one of many
being made in all parts of the country
from various pulpits and platforms on
the governor political record. con-
aidered from the moral side. It was
incumbent upon the governor 10 quiet
this talk in some way, they said. and
yet ne could not attack with any de-
gree Of political justification the source
OF some Of these criticisms. He would
arouse by such course bitter oppo-
sition A spirited stand against Dr.
Straton. however would be accepted
with almost glee in many quarters.
they declared.
Whatever may BE- the political wis
dom or lack of it in this move, it is
certain that when Gov. Smith goes 10
fNafr royAttrf F@14npph thopp usil hN
justification in Dr.. Straton'S suggestion
that the debate" should be conducted
in Madison SQUARE Garden or some
other huge auditorium.
Jealous Of Reputation.
The Straton challenge was Just an
other indication Of the apparent fact
that Gov Smith is jealous Of his 1po-
litical reputation and does not intend to
permit any one TO tamper with 1t with
impunity If he can help IL. The at
tack of William Allen White. Kansas
editor or such of 1t as was left after
Mr.. White had retracted some Of the
eaustic things he said about Mr..
Smiths record as Tammany legislator.
seemed likely this week to draw fortsl
a direct answer Certain it is that tho
governor has had his legal force here
legislative records in preparation for
such an answer If he decides to make It,
Aside from the Smith-Straton Incl
dent. the outstanding political event Of
the week, so far as the governors candi-
dacy is concerned, was the visit TO him
Of George N. Peek Of Moline, Ill, CEN
trail figure In the corn belt agitation
for the McNary- -Haugen bill and its
train of following events. MIR, PeeK,
an avowed Republican. accredited
father Of the phrase equalization fee.
had a long talk with the governor. fol-
lowing which Mr.. Peek said he would
seek to prevail upon all McNary-
Haugenites to support Smith and as
sailed Hoovers record in behalf Of
agriculture.
II Mr.. Peek thought, however, thai
his pet equalization fee was going
TO have the Endorsement OF Gov. Smith.
he was doomed to disappointment.
Peek Endorsed Smith. John j. Rasknh
Democratic national chairman, was
quoted as declaring he could see notn-
ing economically unsound in the equal
lzation fee. But Smith suddenly came
out fatty in favor Of an editorial which
declared that President Cooldgc'F
arguments against the equalization fec
feature of the McNary- Haugen bill
were unanswerable Smith would only
say that he stood squarely on the
Democratic national platform. which
Peek claims recognizes the principle
Of the equalization fee.
Creates Real stir.
Tire situation created . real stir in
political circles which has not quieted
down-~there were editorials in New
York State papers which declared IN
effect that they could not for the life
of them see where the governors att:-
tude on agriculture, so warmly praised
by Mr.. Peek. differed at all from the
Republican. Both opposed the equali-
zstion fee. they said. and both were
insistent in their desire 10 do some
thing effective and lasting for agricul-
ture
After the governor came out with
his nat equalization fee declara-
tion, Chairman Raskob appeared IN
different light in the newspapers He
fatty denied having said he could see
nothing economically unsound in the
eauaiizatio fee. put the ban on arti~
flcial price fixing as means 10 So
luton ~ the farm problem and an
nounced engagement Of professor F.. r..
A Gilipman economies expert nt Co
lumba University, TO make study 81
the economies underlying the farm
problem.
After The uproar had died down and
the statements and counterstatemenis
had been made, the net result Of The
farm problem situation IN the Demo
cratic campaign this week seemed 10
stand al this Peek was for Smith.
Smith WAS for the Democratic plat
form plank on agriculture, and editors
we're trying IN find Why Peek should
believe such a stand so much more
favorable to the farmers than Herbert
Hoover's and his Republican cohorts,
Although Gov Smith may have more
or less monop9lizcd page one Of the
newspapers during the past week,
there seemed 10 be much greater Re-
publican than Democratic action
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