Evening star., 1928-05-13
REED MEN SOUND
CONFIDENT NOTE
Howell ForeseeS Certain Vic
tory in West Virginia
and Florida.
Special Dispatch to The star.


KANSAS CITY, Mo, May 12.-The
Reed for President forces not only will
fight on in the face of the increasing
sentiment displayed in presidential
primaries for Gov. AL Smith. but will
wear a cheerful smile to the Houston
convention.
Charles NJ. Howell, Kansas City law
yer and Western manager for Senator
Reed. returned this week from Wash
ington. where he attended conferences
of Reed supporters. failing to show the
gloom that might be expected by the
recent turn in the Democratic preSi-
Dental contest. Howell has lost none
Of his earlier confidence.
I'VE are confident" stated Mr.. How
ell, Senator Reed will carry West Vir-
ginia in the preferential primary. Or
ganization in the Senator's behalf there
is in the hands of men who have had
long political experience. Several Of
the leading West Virginia Democrats
who we're in Washington for a recent
conference predicted Senator Reed
would win in the primary. IN which
both the Senator and Gov. Smith are
entered.
Sees Florida Victory.
FLORIDA has no favorite SON. candi-
date and there appears to be no doubt
there concerning a Reed victory" Mr.
Howell related Continuing. Mr.. How
ell gave this summary as to the situa-
ton as he sees 1t since recent confer
ences in Washington.
All information received in Washing
ton Is to the effect that with the single
exception Of Louisiana, Gov. Smith will
not have single Southern State and
there Is contest concerning louisiana.
Floyd Jacobs of Kansas City mas
just returned from Indiana. He re-
ports that while, of course the Indiana
delegation is for its favorite son, Evans
Woollen. in the event Mr.. Woollen is
not nominated. Senator Reed will have
many active supporters on that delega-
ton as second choice
James r. Page prosecuting attorney,
Is now in Colorado Advtces from him
recently indicate a widespread and
growing sentiment for the Missouri Sem
ator The convention in that State
viii be held at Colorado Springs May 49,
Reports from Texas show an over
whelming victory for Gov. Moody and
his associates and they are avowedly
not for the New York Governor.
While Gov Smith has made an i'm
presSive showing so far, an analysis of
his delegates, friendly and instructed.
shows that with the exception OF LouiSi
ana, they are from States which almost
invariably GO Republican--their elec-
toral votes are rarely found in the Dem
oeratic column.
Cites Independent Vote.
"The feeling is growing in Washing
ton among Senators and Representa-
tlves of the different States that Sena-
tor Reed will win: that the great inde-
pendent vote. which always forms the
balance of power In this country, will be
for him on account Of his outstanding
ability, his well known Democratic prin-
ciples and his aggressive fight against
corruption in high places
"A swing of this independent vote
away from the Democratic party would
wreck the political votes OF many of
these Senators and Representatives and
that is a feeling which they are not
looking forward to with any degree of
comfort. Their influence cannot fail To
be felt at the Houston convention.
There Is no intent or desire on our part
10 underestimate the splendid ability
and the high character of Gov. Smith.
nor his vote-getting qualities In the
East. but the East has not and prob
ably will not for many years aid much
In the election of q Democratic PreSi-
dent-they simply are not built that
way" T. G. AFFORD.