Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-05
5e1y of Voters Display Tendency to Shift Political Allegiance
THE WEEK IN POLITICS
Summary of National Developments Based on Reports
From The Stars Special Correspondents
and Staff Writers.

slides in that state. especially since
the farmers there do not seem to be
greatly excited over the failure OF
the Republican platform to indorse
ry-Haugenism.
Politics are beginning to stZzle in
Nebraska as the governatorlal race
gets under way. Democrats OF the
home State of the late William j,
BRYAN, whose brother Charlie Is
running for governor, do not like
Smiths Wetness. Meantime the Re-
publicans have their worries; for
Gov. McMullen Is still taking digs
at the Republican farm plank. The
Democrats in the two Dakotas are
busy. but the Republicans have thus
far refused to admit that they are
worried over the situation
More than ever the Solid South
presents an interesting problem.
In this section are usually in
Guided Virginia, the two Carolinas,
Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisi-
ana, Mississippi, Texas and Arkan-
sas. There are still reports Of a
remote chance--very remote--that
Texas may go Republican because
Of the opposition to Smith on the
wet and religious issues. North
Carolina Republicans are unusually
active, and many Democrats there
are apathetic. but no experienced
observer has yet ventured a predic-
ton that the Tar Heel State will
60 Republican.
The religious and liquor issues are
playing havoc with the Democrats
in Virginia, as elsewhere in the
solid South, and strange to say,
there comes a report now that the
Old Dominion is almost-but not
ouite-in the doubtful column. In
the other Southern States the anti
Smith Democrats are disgruntled,
but apparently enough of them in
tend to vote for Smith to carry the
States for the Democratic ticket.
At this stage of the campaign OBJ
servers agree that it would be a
very venturesome person, indeed.
who would stake anything on any
State in the solid South going Re-
publican.
The border States OF Kentucky
and Tennessee are reported to be
debatahie ground, especially the
latter. The liquor and religious is
sues, no matter how much the lat
ter is disguised, are the principle
subjects being discussed by the
voters. The Democratic leaders in
both OF these States are Keeping
silsnt as far as possible on both
subjects. They are talking about
Smiths record As Governor of New
York and about alleged corruption
IT. the Republican party It seems
certain, however, that as the cam
paign wakes hotter, the Republicans
will not let the voters fail to hear
the liqusr and religious questions
discussed openly, as they are already
being discussed by the rank and file
in private Through 1t all. the
Democratic leaders insist that the
effect of these issues has been much
exaggerated. and they are basing
their hope on that belief
While 1t is agreed by experienced
observers that II Is entirely TOO carly
to make predictions about Colorado,
the present sentiment there Is re-
ported to be favorable 10 Smith.
This report is based mainly on a
straw vote. which may or may not
reflect the true situation. Outward
evidences. as reported from Cali
fornia, give Hoover big lead In his.
home State, but Democrats are lev-s
ing the foundation for one OF the
most active campaigns in the State &
history. Voters in Washington are
entering the campaign virtually with
four parties. since both the Demo-
Gratis and the Republicans have split
on the gubernatorial and prohibition
questions. Politics all over the State
are in q chaotic condition and both
sides are making big claims. while
nobody knows what the real situa-
ton Is. The Republicans are rely
Ing upon the fact that the State ts
normally Republican.
There is comparative quiet In
Kansas, Montana. Utah, Wyoming.
Nevada and Idaho. Leaders of the
Oregon Progressive League are
urging 10000 voters who cast their
ballots for La Toilette four years
ago, to support Smith. Local cam
didates of both parties have opened
headquarters In Salt Lake City.
Utah. in the last few days, and The
State and national campaign is be-
ginning there. Apparently the
Democratic leaders OF Idaho, one Of
the first States to so dry, seriously
believe they have chancs OF car
rying the State. for Smith. They
think that Smiths record for bring
ing about the enactment of pro-
gressiVe legislation during his four
terms as Governor OF New York is
appealing strongly to the people of
Idaho and causing many OF them
10 overlook his liberal prohibition
views. The Republicans, whatever
they may think privately. call this
"moonshine."
The situation In Montana Is COM
plicated by an internecine war, in
which the Anaconda Copper Co. Is
charged with trying to dominate the
government OF the state. Factions
allied with the estate OF the late
w. A. Clark are fighting the Ana
cot1da Co. and candidates OF
both parties are being subjected to
charges flung back and forth. The
nix.up will doubtless influence the
presidential election. but Just which
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