Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-16
OKLAHOMA WAITS
. ON SMITHS VISIT
Approach of Nominee Puts
New Life Into Demo.
RS Stl# y
Gratis.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star. ~s,s
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla, September
15.-Oklahoma Democracy has its head
UP anticipating the. visit to Oklahoma
City September 20 of the standard
bearer, AL Smith.
Announcement of Smiths invasion
of Oklahoma was, to the dropping DEM
ocratic party just as a hypodermic in
lection is to an individual Democratic
headquarters has been swarming with
new life: Representatives of the finance
committee report progress in the col
lection of contributions.
George Key, State chairman, says
every county organization has jumped
into harness. Mrs. MacDougal, national
committeewoman, forecasts unprece-
dented activity on the part of the
women. Scott Ferris, national commit
teeman and a consistent claimer, thinks
the State is now assured for Smith by
4O, 900. It Is safe to say that the DEM
ocrats are not going to concede there
is a chance of losing Oklahoma until
the ballots are counted.
DIR. Straton on Way.
BY a coincidence, Rev. John Roach
Straton has date In the Coliseum
here on the evening following Smiths
appearance. The good doctor has chal-
lenged AL to a debate, as usual Fer
ris. replying for. the national organiza-
ton. said to DR.. Straton's local advance
man, "Shoo, fly, don't bother me-" DR..
Straton will not be downhearted be-
cause AL will not debate. Straton pro-
poses to speak over the radio for two
evenings after the Democratic candi-
date is here. While the Straton crowds
will not come from all over the State.
as will Smiths, it is safe to say that
the occasion Of the invasion OF the New
York divine will be made Baptist
jubilee.
Senator Charles Curtis will do the
heavy speaking for the Republicans in
three-day trip in Oklahoma speaking
first at Miami, September q. His other
dates are at Vinita. Claremore. Tulsa,
Muskogee, Oklahoma City, Lawton and
Enid.
The Democratic nominee for Vice
President, Senator Joe Robinson, will
work the State September 30 to Octo-
Der 8. He will cover much the same
| territory as Curtis.
Seen i'm StardOff.
Efforts of the two parties to check
mate with Curtis and Robinson are in
teresting Both Curtis and Robinson
did much work for Oklahoma before
and after statehood. Both have been
considered Oklahoma Senators. Curtis
is strong in north and west Oklahoma,
while Robinson's main strength is in
| old Indian Territory, on the east side.
Unbiased observers put the strength Of
the two at standoff for November.
Previous forecasts that Hoover will
carry Oklahoma are unchanged The
Republicans are going about the bust
ness of organizing the State quietly,
methodically and with plenty of wana-
pun" The Republicans always have
had the money in Oklahoma.
Smith must win in the south half of
the State. The tier of counties border
ing Red River and Texas always has
produced the Democratic majorities in
the past. This year the vote is going
to be cut hard. Answer, religion and
liquor, mostly religion. I have heard
from three counties in the southern tier
in the last week, where fair observers
forecast that Smiths normal plurality
in these counties will be cut 5000 votes.
If this is fair barometer of the feel
ing among the counties of the lower
half of the State, all the bass.drum
beating in the country couldn't change
the outcome in November.
Hoover will carry Tulsa County by
10000 votes. The first congressional
district will give Hoover great lead.
| The eighth district is normally Repub-
lican and will increase its vote this Fall.