Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-17
TIDE IN MINNESOTA
SWINGS TO HOOVER
Smith Wins Sympathy From
Vets, but RouSes Farm
Opposition.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.


ST. PAUL, Mimi, October 17,-De-
spite desperate efforts of the Demo-
Gratis and certain farm leaders, who
have hitherto been Republicans but
are now supporting Smith, the tide in
Minnesota has set toward Hoover. The
States IL electoral votes probably will
be cast for the Republican candidate
for President, unless there should be
some unexpected developments.
There seems to be no great love here
either for Gov. Smith or for Mr..
Hoover, taking the State at large. 1t
is true that each of the candidates
has ardent admirers in Minnesota, but
to a great many of the voters it is
question of Hobson's choice. And the
candidate who wins will be the candl-
date who is less disliked.
Opposed by Farmers.
Gov. Smith has following among
the vets, who are strongly for him.
Out among the farmers, however, 1T
is difficult to arouse enthusiasm for the
New York Governor. 1t is easier to
arouse opposition to Hoover. Smith
muffed the ball early in the campaign
when he said in an interview that ne
would not stand for equalization fee OF
the -Haugen farm bill. THIS
was widely heralded in the newspapers
of Minnesota. His utteranceS since
then on the farm problem, although he
has declared for the principle OF the
McNary-Hauge bill, have not warmed
the farmers to him in great numbers.
Thev have the impression that ne is
going to call upon another commission
to consider farm legislation and tney
are rather sick Of commissions ana m
vestigations. They want some legSia-
ton and want it quick.
The visit of the New York Governor
to st. Paul and his address here stlrreo
up interest in his candidacy. But along
came Senator Borah OF 1dano, ana
threw a mass OF cold water on tne
Smith proposals and generally ola as
nuch harm to the Democratic cause
as smith had done good. Other ase-'
publican campaigners of note have been
in the State, among them Senator
Curtis. the vice-presidential candldate,
and Col. Theodore Roosevelt, jr. lndeeo,
the campaign has set not pace on
both sides. Efforts are being made TO
have Mr.. Hoover come here on his way
to California to vote.
st. Paul Is Stronghold.
st Paul is a Democratic stronghold
in this State 1t is here the Demo-
cratic State headquarters are located.
And Democratic leaders profess con-
fldence they will carry the State Tor
Smith. But when pressed, they ADMIT
it is a horse race. Republicans en-
gagged in the campaign, however, are
far more confident than the Democrats.
The more conservative Republicans tig-
IRE the State will go for Hoover by
30 900 to $4,000. The more optimistic
are claiming the State by 100000.
Farmer-Labor leaders, who are sup
porting Senator Shipstead for the Sen
ate in expressing their opinions pri-
vately on the presidential race, give
Hoover the edge They do not see how
Smith can win. These particular Farm
er-Labor people, however, are maintain
ing neutrality as between the two can
didates for President, hoping for both
Democratic and Republican support for
Shipstead who has not taken sides in
the presidential row.
The Democrats in Minnesota faced
great odds when the campaign got un-
der way Minnesota has clean record
of voting for Republican presidential
candidates since the Republican party
elected Abraham Lincoln. There is one
exception. Minnesota voted for Theo-
dore Roosevelt, when he- headed the
: -CContinsed on Pages, Colurnn.2.) :.