Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-28
SMITH IS GAINING
GROUND IN INDIANA
Drift Toward Governor as
Campaign Closes Sur
priseS Experts.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, october az
Although few observers outside Of DEM
ocrattc headquarters will admit there
is a chance for Gov Smith to carry
Indiana, all agree that an unmistakable
drift toward the New York Governor has
set in. The thing that is puZzling the
politicians is that this is the first time
in recent political history when the tide
has been Democratic in the closing days
of a campaign, for usually the weight Of
superior Republican organization Is felt
on the eve of the election.
To large extent the trend to Smith
is due to the fact that Democrats who
were off because of religious or pro-
hibition grounds are coming back into
the fold. Democratic leaders all over
the State, while admitting detection
still exists, say Smith is standing much
better with his own rank and file than
he did a month ago.
Some contend that decided reaction
to religious and prohibition intolerance
has set in and that Smith is the bene-
flciary. That the religious angle is
cutting deeply is generally admitted,
but whether Hoover or Smith will reap
the benefit is matter that will remain
an enigma until the ballots are counted
Carried by Momentum.
Herbert Hoover is being carried for
ward by the momentum of a party that
has been in power, by a strong belief
In the principles of the Republican
party. particularly the protective tariff,
immigration and prosperity and feel
ing that he will prove to be a sound
administrator. The Republican leaders
have pounded those lessons home as
a. of ua eli rNf
Smith connection with Tammany has
been singled out, on the negative side.
for attack; his views on prohibition
have been exploited in this normally
dry State, his administrative record,
especially the fiscal features, have been
asSailed and he has been held up as a
dangerous man with whom to intrust
the Government of the United States.
In general way the Democrats, while
sssailing Hoover's farm
views, have"teen on the defensive.
They have spent their time in de-
nouncing 'whlsperers" against Smiths
religion, have endeavored to show that
he couldn't make the country wet un-
less Congress goes with him, have ex-
planned his inning alton stand and dis
cussed Tammany Hall as a benevolent
institution. 1t has required most of
the Democrats time in running down
and erasing much of the poison that
was spread against the New York Gov
erncr.
Coiored Voters Swing.
But be that as it may, the Democrats
have made some significant inroads into
elements that are normally counted on
as sure Republican. They have got a
break among the colored voters, the
bulk Of the strictly agricultural vote is
headed for Smith, and he will be the
chief beneficiary among the foreign
born voters. Unless the Republicans
can herd the colored voters back into
line, they stand to lose a stable part
of what has always been a dependable
vote.
Much OF the last-minute effort of the
Democrats is being concentrated on the
woman voters, and they have a veritable
army of women at work now in the
State, going from house to house in an
effort to convince the housewife that
Smith is different type of man than
they had been told. They are counting
heavily on this final effort to realign
the women, whose detection has been
noticeable from the start. The Re-
publicans are working by similar means
to keep what they consider their adj
NdIlb2Se among LI1S women.
The farm vote seems to be slipping
away from Hoover, due to the superior
organization work effected by the
George N. Peek leaders, and it does
not seem that the Republicans have
been able to combat it effectively. There
is a growing opinion that Smith will
turn so per cent normal Republican
farm vote to his own advantage
In the more thickly populated areas,
such as Fort WAYNE, South Bend, Lake
County. Terre Haute. Evansville and
indianapolis, Smith is expected to cut
heavily into Republican ranks because
of his known moist tendencies. In all
these places observers agree that the
New York Governor will cut down, If
not wipe out, the majority rolled up by
President Coolidge four years ago.
Holds Small Towns.
1t is in the smaller towns, where the
people have been wont to take their
straight, that Hoover
viii roll up tremendous majority, &C
cording to most estimates. It is in
those places that Smiths candidacy
has made comparatively little Roadway.
There. too, the religious and prohibition
questions are uppermost, and Hoover
viii profit thereby.
Hoover has been hampered by the
lack of cohesion among the various Re-
publican organizations, while Smith has
benefited from the smoothest working
Democratic organization that has been
in the State in years. While mutual
SUSPICION has served to slow the Re-
ouolicans. the Democrats have had
their troubles in good-sized belt within
their own ranks
Betting show that there is little hope
0f Smith carrying the State, but wagers
are coming out on the size of the Hoo
yer majority. There is plenty of Hoover
money that he will take the State by
100000. and even that is being scaled
down in the face of last-minute devel-
)pments. 1t is the general impression
hat Smith helped himself on his flying
visit to Indianapolis. when he was
greeted by crowd strongly reminiscent
If the throngs that used to hail Bryan
While the Republicans, feeling conf
lent of Hoover's success. are putting
orth every effort in the last few days
% make sure Of the election of Harry
}. Leslie, the governorship nominee,
,etting odds in favor Of Frank G. Daley.
he Democratic candidate, have adj
anced. The wagers are 3 to in favor
I Daley.
1t is the general impression that II
Ioover does not go beyond the 100000
mark. Leslie will be defeated Some
believe that Leslie's stock
las risen in the last few days, but the
Daley managers remain supremely con-
ldent that they are riding a winner.
H. c. FEIGHTNER.
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