Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-03-11
w YITH the opening of the
M Republican national con-
" v vention just three months
away, Herbert Hoover Is

away, Herbert Hoover Is
still the outstanding Re-
publican candidate for the presi-
DENTAL nomination. according to the
special correspondents of The Star
in all parts of the country. These
same correspondents give Gov. Alfred
E. Smith OF New York the edge in
the Democratic race. although they
report darker clouds rising in the
sky and threatening the New York
Governors boom.
Among the principal political de-
velopments Of the week was the last
minute entry OF Mr.. Hoover In the
Indiana presidential preferential pri-
mary against Senator Jim" Wat
son, favorite son candidate. making
certain a bitter battle for control of
the State delegation to the Republic
an national convention. Another
development. regarded by Smith OPP
ponents as particularly significant.
was the casting of Senator Thomas
J. Walsh's hat into the ring In Cali
fornia and other Western States In
opposition to Smith and Reed OF
Missouri. Announcement by Senator
Ferris, Democracy's veteran from
Michigan, that he would not be a
candidate to succeed himself and
that he strongly opposed Smiths
nomination and favored that OF
Walsh has given the Smith leaders
much to think about. Although
Smith Is the only Democratic cam
didate for the presidential preference
vote OF Michigan. and will neces-
sarily receive that preference. the
primary In Michigan only compels
the State delegation to vote for the
candidate winning the preference on
the first ballot In the national con-
vention. The anti-Smith faction In
Michigan is plucking up heart be-
cause of the Ferris announcement.
There have been several happen
ings during the week, however. to
encourage the Smith-for- President
boomers. The New York State
Federation OF Labor adopted reso-
lutions indorsing the governor for
President. In South Dakota. where
Senator Walsh was an elevcnth-hou
entrant for the State delegation
against Smith. Smith received the
preference In the convention. though
by small vote. This was some-
what of jolt to the dry Democrats
who are backing Walsh as a dry and
Western man against the New York
Governor. From Minnesota comes
reports that the Smith hackers have
the situation well In hand and en-
pect TO name "a Smith delegates at
their State convention next Thurs
day. A newspaper poll In Wyoming
gives Smith the lead among the
Democrats. Notwithstanding the fact
that Montana, with It's fayorite son.
Walsh. Is ncighboring State. Mon
tana. 1t Is reported. will doubtless
give its full delegation to Walsh. The
Smith people there had hoped to
have things their own way until the
Walsh hat was cast into the ring.
Hoover lis making all the running so
far In Montana among the Republic
ans.
The Ohio battle for delegates be-
tween Hoover and Senator Frank b.
Willis Is growing hotter every day.
Senator Willis Wellston speech at
lacking Mr.. Hoover's Americanism
and Republicanisn. however, has not
been an unalloycd success. Some OF
the Willis people were opposed to his
making that character OF attack
upon the Secretary OF Commerce,
fearing 1t might prove boomerang.
The announcement that Senator
Fess. Senator Willis colleague and
one OF the candidates for delegate at
large on the Willis slate. would not
60 to Ohio to speak for Willis has
caused some Ill feeling In the Willis
camp, Ohio Democrats. while send
ing delegates 10 Houston TO vote pri-
marily for former Senator Atlee
pomerene. are likely TO send dele
CATION which can readily swing to
Smith, according TO reports
Pennsylvania's presidential prefer
entail primary. April "a, will be a