Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-28
KEYSTONE ORATORS
CLOSE WITH RUSH.
Hoover Seen Sure to Carry
State, but by Unusually
Small Majority.

Special Dispatch 10 The Star.
HARRISBURG, Pa october 25.-Bs-
ginning of the last week Of the cam
paign finds Republican leaders optin1is-
tic of the size of majorities for the
Hoover Curtis ticket, but not reducing
the energy they have been throwing
into the campaign in places where trou-
bic has been most likely.
Big rallies in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia
and the coal eities-where ardent Re-
publican campaigning has been neces-
sary this year, contrary to custon1-w1ll
mark the close of the campaign. Among
the out-of-State speakers who will be
here to aid in keeping Pennsylvania Re-
publican, despite prohibition, will be
Nicholas Longworth, Speaker Of the
the United States House of Representa-
tives: Secretary of Labor James j..
Davis; T. w. Robinson, Assistant Secre-
tsry of the Navy; Newton w. Gilbert,
former governor CT the Philippine
Islands, and members of Congress from
Maine, New YORK and other states.
Religion Is Issue.
Although the Republicans have been
talking little but the tariff, the actual
Issues in the sections where the CAM
paien centers are prohibition and re-
ligion.
A recent speech by Clarence Darrow
In bel1alf of Smith at Scranton, the
Republicans hope, has done much 10
aid them cope with adverse phases OF
the religious issue in the anthracite
counties, Darrow, demanding religious
tolerance. attacked Baptists, Methodlsts
and others as intolerant. The reaction,
Republican scouts report, has been to
defect Protestant votes in that sectlon
from Smiths prohibition stand to HOO
yer because of Darrow's religious speech.
All the anthracite counties are heavily
Catholic, but regardless of religion are
wet, and Republican hope there nes
largely in keeping wet votes from Iol-
loving Smiths prohibition stand.
Republican organization leaders this
week claimed election of all 36 Rep
rssentatives, a feat accomplished only
in 1924. In the Luzerne County district,
now represented by Representative John
j. Casey. a Democrat, leaders count on
$4,000 majority for Hoover and election
of a Republican Representative. Casey,
however. appears to have the best
chance at present Of any Democrat to
be elected to the next Congress.
Changes Expected.
Rapid changes in the program OF the
final week may be made by Repupncan
managers. Smiths Philadelphia speech
will be his only Pennsylvania appear
ance of the campaign, and while Re-
publicans predict a Philadelphia major
ity which viii be comfortable, although
probably smaller than usual, there are
raurmurs of last-rninute bolts to Smith
bv wards which are wet and have large
percentages of Catholics.
Democrats and Smith partisans OUT
side the party have been free with
street-corner predictions that Smith will
carry Philadelphia. While every or
ganization Republican pooh-hoohs the
idea, Republicans have been arranging
en- unusual number Of rallies for that
city. Senator Moses, Eastern campaign
manager for Hoover, spoke there Thurs
day night, two days before Gov. smith.
At the same time Gov. Fisher spoke, not
onlv his second speech for the ticket in
that city this month but his second
campaign speech in the State. At least
two rallies for the city have been ar
ranged for next week, and If the side
walks of Philadelphia re-echo with en-
thusiasrfa for Smith after tonigat's meet
ing. other sections Of the State may be
largely ignored in concentrated effort
to preserve Philadelphia big Repub-
lican najorities.
Seek Smiths Presence.
Strenuous efforts are being made by
Lackawanna, Luzerne and Schuylkll
Counties, the largest in the anthracite
section, for hurried visit there from
Smith. Republicans hail this as an in
dication that the early Smith sentiment
there is weakening and needs bolster
ing, but Democratic leaders attribute 1t
to an insistent demand from the cleo
torate to see their favorite candidate.
Despite frenzied doubts common to
the close of stiff fight, it appears that
Pennsylvania, as usual, will go Republic
can, but by an unusually small major
ity. Coolidge carried the State in 1924
by approximately 100000 majority.
Estimates of Hoovers lead this year
range from 100000 to 100000 or 100000.
Maybe the most significant index Of all
is found IN the announcement by Re-
publican leaders that the campaign ex-
penditures this year will be relatively
small. WALTER D. ROOS.