Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-26
NOLITICAL interest during the
- week has been divided be-
tween the efforts Of Repub-

Herbert Hoover and the po-
tcntial menace to the fortunes OF
Gov. AL Smith involved In Senator
Jim Reeds stamping tour in the
West and Southwest. Dispatches to
The Star from its special political
correspondents throughout the coun-
try indicate that the ups and downs
of the Hoover campaign and the
progress of the Reed boom are re-
garded at present as the major fac
tors In the pre- convention contests.
Senator Reed has had large and
enthusiastic crowds wherever he
has spoken. but whether this en-
thusiaSm can be made to bring forth
delegate votes remains to be seen.
But his pleas for party harmony
and the avoidance of issues upon
which Democrats are not agreed are
making an impression that plainly
has the Smith managers worried in
in a number of States. Favorable
mention of Reed comes from more
States this week end than in any
previous week since he entered as q
candidate.
For example, two months ago it
was regarded as a certainty that
Smith would have the Wisconsin
delegation practically without
struggle. The Stars correspondent
at Madison wires now that the out
look for Smith Is extremely doubt
full. and that what has hurt him
most has been the rising fortunes
OF Senator Reed. who Is held to be
as wet as Smith and has the adj
vantage OF coming from the Middle
West. In Utah. Colorado and a num-
Der of other States. Democrats are
said to be giving serious considera-
ton TO Senator Reeds availability.
In Texas the appearance of Sena-
tor Reed seems to have strengthened
the hands OF the anti-Smith ele-
mcnt. but without any particular
advantage to the Missouri Senator
On the contrary. the movement Is
gaining Roadway which looks to
sending delegation to Houston
which will vote for Gov. Dan Moody
on the early ballots and then go to
William G.. McAdoo when the break
comes
Senator Reed will have his big
day next Tuesday when the Missouri
State convention meets. He will be
unanimously Endorsed for the presi-
Dental nomination and delegates
will be elected who will stand by him
TO the bitter end. This will signaliZe
one OF the most remarkable come
backs" In the history of politics
The same Missouri Democracy that
denied him the honor of sitting in
a national convention because he
had opposed the policies of Woodrow
Wilson now is unitedly supporting
him for the great Office which Wood
row Wilson adorned
Not all the Democratic news. how
ever. has been unfavorable to Gov.
Smith. West Virginia reports that
he is practically assured of the dele
CATION from that State, more than
half of the avowed candidates for
delegates having already declared
for him. Some of the West Virginia
drys are showing interest In the
suggestion OF Newton ID. Baker as
a possible nominee, but the Smith
men seem to have the situation well
In hand.
In Alabama the party leaders are
said TO be so alarmed by the In
creasing sentiment for Smith that
they are making desperate attempts
to Keep the liquor issue alive In an
effort to head off the New York gov
ernor. Florida reports mixed sit
uation, with both Smith and Reed
likely TO get some delegates in dis
tricts that have no particular
aversion to wetneSs. with the drys
still lacking Standard-bearer
around whom they can rally. In
Iowa the Smith boom got shove
forward when Senator Dan Stock.
an influential State leader. came out
for the New York governor. Sena-
tor Steck is willing 10 accept the as
sertion OF Edwin r. Meredith. former
Secretary of Agriculture. that he Is