Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-19
.WO outstanding events during
the week Just ended stirred
presidential politics In both

major parties. One was the
formal cmcrgcncc Of Herbert
Hoover as a candidate for the Re-
publican nomination, significd by his
consent to enter the primaries IN
Ohio. and the other was the an
nounccment in New York that Gov.
Smith would have liquor plank to
propose for the Democratic platform.
That both the New York and Ohio
action in many parts Of the country
is indicated in dispatches to The
Star from its special political CORE
Spondents. The suggestion that Gov.
Smith will advocate that each State
be permitted to determine what alco-
holic content is necessary to make
a beverage in fact intoxicating has
increased anti-Smith activity in dry
territory, and the Hoover boom has
noticcablv spceded up-witll equally
increased activity among his OPP
poncnts--now that the Secretary Of
Commerce is cut in the open as a
candidate.
Lack Of dcnntcncss is to the exact
character of the proposed Smith
liquor plant has probably kept the
full consequence Of the program
from becoming manifest, An Albany
dispatch for enforcement 50 long as
the eighteenth amendment il part of
the Federal Constitution. but that
the Volstead act should be amended
to give the States authority to de-
termine what constitutes an intoxi-
eating drink.
This. of course. would not meet
with the favor of the arys. while the
vets vision the prospect Of an
avowed wet candidate running on
what they would regard as dry
platform.
Ii became increasingly apparent
during The week that outside Of
Louisiana there IS no disposition IN
the South to accept Smith as a
candidate in advance of the ballot
ing at Houston. but that Southern
electoral votes will BE- delivered 10
HIM practically as q uni; should he
be the choice CT the convention.
Not much was heard during the
week OF the boomlct for William G.
McAdoo. which recently made its
appearance in several widely sep
ara;ed States. Dry Democrats were
heaytened b. report from New
York that Smith planned TO with
drew unless he had been nonll-
mated hy the tenth ballot, but as
the report lacked confirmation il
has not yet played any part IL the
practical business Of selecting dele
gates 10 the national convention,
Texas and Alabama. among
Southern States, probably showed
the greatest anti-Smith activity.
Some tine ago It looked as If Texas
would send an uninstructed dalcga
ton which would b. expected 10
include number OF supporters Of
the New York Governor. But the
prospects now arc, according 10 a
dispatch from Austin. that the
younger and dry element will b. in
that til delegation will b, instruct
Cd for Gov. Dan Moody and bound
b. The unit rule. 50 that Smith VIII
not be able 10 make an" ,nroadS
when the break from Moody comes.
III Alabama tho dryS are planning
for complete slate OF anIi-Srith
delegates. but whether they will be
positively instructed not 10 vote for
the New York Governor remains TO
be determined
II is reported that IN Virginia the
Democratic leaders continue 10 re-
gard Smith as the party's best bet.
but that they are growing fearful
Of reprlsals threatened b. the
church and anti-liQuor forces in the
event Of his nomination. II Is said
that the rift between the clerical
and "anti-clerlcal" wings OF the
party IS growing steadily wider.
Outside Of the South positive anti
Smith activity seems confined
chiefly 10 Pennsylvania, where CT
forts are being made 10 eject anti
Smith delegates from dry districts.
News cheering TO Smith comes from
the Northwest He won out IN the
South Dakota caucuses, and IN both
Wyoming and Idaho his friends
seem safely IN control.
II seems now there will be a fight
in Oregon between Smith and Reed
followers for control OF the dclcga-
ton. much to the chagr!n Of me
party managers who had hoped 10
avoid fight Unless the unit rule
Is applied the delegation seems like