Evening star., 1928-03-25
OHIO DRY CH|EFTA|N
SWINGS TO HOOVER
Split in Ranks of Anti-Saloon
League on Willis Now
Indicated.
speaal Dispatch to The star,

Srec3sR DSSNsftA 10 IAe SFsFs
COLUMBUS. Ohio. March 24-The
first indication of a division Of the
Anti-Saloon League in Ohio in the
presidential primary campaign has
come III the form Of an application
from Clayton L. Dickey, long the treas
urer Of the Ohio Anti-Saloon League
for membership in the Hoover-for-
President Association. Dickey. who is
the president Of the Northern Savings
Sank ot Columbus. is at his Winter
home in Florida and the application
was mailed TO Col. Thad Brown of the
Ohio Hoover organization. The apph-
cant has not only been the treasurer of
she Ohio league. but very active as a
worker in its interests. Up TO this time
Il had been regarded as a certainty that
Ehe Anti-Saloon League would stand
practically solid for Senator Willis
The league as an organization in
politics has not seemed to be function
ing as efficiently as it did in former
gyesrs. and il IS attributed to the fact
shat it has lost two efficient leaders
Turley A. Baker and Wayne B. Wheeler.
Leans to Hoover.
The Toledo Blade. which came out
early in the Ohio presidential campaign
with an editorial in favor of Senator
willis, has not followed it up with fur
El1eT support of the Senator. and reh-
able reports from Toledo are 10 the
effect that II has gone over to Hoover
:sn6 VIII soon make its position there
definite. Its early declaration for Sem
AtoT Willis is said TO have been due TO
dislike Of Secretary Hoover on the part
snf the owner OF the Blade. Paul Bloch
Of Newark. n. J., rather than to ad-
nlirstion for the Senator. The silence
-of the Biaoe-even II il does not be-
come outspoken for Mr. Hoover-leaves
Toledo and the ninth district without
newspaper advocating the candidacy
Of Senator Willis-tl1e Morning Times
and the Evening News-Bee being out
spoken for Mr.. Hoover
Though publicity was given in Ohio
10 The fact that Secretary Hoover was
married by Catholic priest. no doubt
with intended effect upon the Ku Klux
Khan vote IN the State. still evidently
OF considerable volume. and although
the story was followed BY the explana-
zion Of how II happened and the state
ment that the Secretary is not a men,
ber Of the Catholic Church. it probably
VIII result in the Endorsement of Sem
at0T Willis by the State Klan organiza-
fl0n. Sensing this situation. Shamus
O'Slatts-y OF Canton. presumably a
Catholic, has addressed a letter. copies
Of which have been given to the press,
70 Senator Willis. demanding that the
Senator publicly state his attitude TO-
ward the hlan. So far the Senator has
not replied and probably viii not. There
Is q general disposition on the part Of
the newspapers Of the State TO ignore
the Khan issue and probably for that
reason the O'Slattery letter has not
been printed except n the Klan's own
publications.
KIan Still A Power.
The Khan has suffered some hard
knocks here and probably has lost in
membership, but il Is no doubt still
factor IN Ohio politics. As it stands. il
LOCKS as though its strength would be
thrown TO Senator Willis.
The surprise OF the week has been the
Endorsement of Hoover by the Republi-
can committee Of Lawrence County
That is the old home county OF Col
CaTmt A. Thompson. head Of the Willis
4oT-PTestdent organization. and his en-
trance into State politics was secured
by election TO represent that county in
the legislature II is supposed that il
there was q county in the State that
would stand for Senator Willis 1t would
be Col TnompSon's.
BY vote Of IS to 8. the committee
adopted resolution indDrg.ng Secre-
Izry Hoover. The willis supporters
charged that Il was accomplished by
trlEk the meeting Of the committee
faar1Eg been hastily called and SO timed
that Willis supporters in 1t would not
be able 10 attend. This seems 70 have
soa1e support IN the fact that but "a
Of the 81 members we're present.
Grant Denman, formerly attorney
general OF Ohio. brought down from
his home il Toledo this week the state
n7ent that there was no question what
ever but that Secretary Hoover would
carr both Toledo and the ninth con-
RTeassoEai district IN the presidential
primary. and secure the TAO delegates
there
Count on "a Delegates.
The Hoover managers here now count
on eiect1ng al least - o. the 81 dele
gates 70 which the State is entitled
They are confident of carrying the
state as whole. and II they do that
Wiz add delegates az large 70 the
- district delegates. making "a in ali.
Eesarv q. Drummer. chairman Of the
Democratic State committee, has writ
ten Francis ~. Dslroix or Lima, candi-
cSte 9og delegate 70 the Houston con-
ventlos. cY3tacaZing hun for announe-
ss9g a2S Intention 10 vote for Gov DON
sheY-she State delegation being
Eaecgeo by resolution of the State com
n1satee 20 support Atiee PosneTene for
FIRST choice and George White second
Gsscnce--out Duro1n has expressed re-
sentiment ~ Interference on the part Of
the State chairman, ard as he Is run
ssiE1g Independently and not as q selec-
tA0n Of tne State ccHgnitEee says he
VIE CO IS ne piezseg
4 sllgpt change of plan on the part
o. Senator Wills as 70 speaking in his
campaign haS been announced at his
nsacg5Garfers. He stated at first that
1n order rot 70 permit his campaign
work " interfere with his duties IN the
EeEste, ne would come % the State
each Frlcsy night. speaking. and re-
turning " Washington Sunday night
b9t Doy dates through the week are
being mace for him Former Repre-
sentative Ralph d Cole Was announced
70 Epe2k IN tke Willis campaign, but 81
far mas rot oeen assigned speaking
Gates. JUST of1e month Of the primary
campaign remains.
J. II. GALBRATTH
gnAlfG EkITAHHrG nE HEaITff