Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-29
ALABAMA PULP|TS
IN WAR ON SMITH
Ultra Drys and Anti-Catholics
Urge Voters to Support
Hoover.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The star.
MONTGOMERY, Ala, July 90
Rumblings of unrest among ultra-drys
and anti-Catholics in Alabama are be-
ginning to attract the attention Of
Democratic leaders Although prac-.
tically leaderless. there is increasing.
evidence that the fight being waged
against Gov. Smith from the pulplts in
the State is gaining momentum.
During the past week four outstand-
ing party leaders who have been prom
inontly identified with the prohibition
campaigns in the past have come out in
no uncertain tones against the attacks
on the presidential nominee selected at
the Houston convention. These leaders
represent the Methodist, Baptist and
Presbyterian Churches.
The attack so far on Gov. Smith has
been confined principally TO charges by
ministers and Ku Flux Khan leaders
that the New Yorker is wet and that
ne is 'Tammanyite."
Leaders Not Alarmed.
Just what strength these churchmen
can muster against the ticket Is un-
certain, but thus far old political lead
ers do not seem to be alarmed. Lay
workers in the three denominations
above mentioned who have expressed
n1er allies in prohibition fights to stand
by the party which. aided by Tam
many. has always been the friend OF
the South. There is only one chance
for the vote to be close in Alabama.
political observers point out. and that Is,
for the Democratic forces to become too
confident of success. Ordinarily Ala
bama polls only about one-half of the
voting strength in presidential cleo
tions. The State is so Overwhelmingly
Democratic that thousands of voters do
not take the trouble to walk to the polls.
If this condition prevails in November
this year the result will be the closest
contest since reconstruction days.
G. o. p. Campaign Plan.
Among the elements which are max
ing this campaign different from others,
is the fact that the Republican party
is maneuvering to reduce local friction
to minimum. In only a few counties
have candidates been nominated 70 OPP
pose Democratic nominees. In these,
it is pointed out. the Republicans have
always had a fighting chance and on
several occasions have been successful
The plan of campaign is pull as many
Democrats AS possible from the ranks
to support the Republican electors. let
ting the State and district offices go
by default. This policy has been de-
waited from to the extent of naming an
opponent to contest the seat now held.
by Judge o. A. Steele. the first Alabama
iurist to sentence hooded floggers. and.
another to meet Representative Miles
G. Algood on the stump in the sew
enth congressional district.
Long before the Houston convention;
the Alabama w c. It. U. began CAM
paign against the Democratic party
Since the nomination local units have
been busy securing pledges for Herbert
Hoover as the friend of prohibition.
In this warfare many ministers have
taken up the battle cry of Never Yet
Voted Wet" Several Of the country
weeklies have Joined these forces and
solna of the dailies which opposed the
nomination. while processing allegiance
to the Democratic party. are inSldious-
lv spreading propaganda favorable TO
the Republican candidate.
Organization Not Complete.
Organization of a committee to wage
a campaign for the Democratic titket
awaits further action hy the national
committee 1t is claimed a few con-
ferences have been held by leaders, but
no definite line of action has been
worked out On the other hand. the
Republicans are quietly allowing the
protest ministers to create sentiment
for Hoover. ATTICUS MULLIN.