Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-23
Speeches Dspe Uncertainty of Political Trend in Many States
THE WEEK IN POLITICS
Summary of National Developments Based on Reports
From The Stars Special Correspondents
and Staff Writer'S.

haps q slight leaning toward Hoover
according to the latest reports.
Democratic Chairman Rcskob con-
tinues to claim Pennsylvania, but
nearly all Of the political observers
think this old-line Republican State
will "stay put" Many observers
class the little State of Delaware as
still doubtful.
On the eve Of opening the cam
paign in Ohio the Democrats real
LIE they have an uphill fight there.
Most observers In Indiana and Illi-
nois report Republican leanings on
the national ticket. The last
minute fight In Indiana Is to be
bitter possibly with Smith coming
there for a speech. Apparently
$4,000 colored voters in Indianap-
oils are headed for Smith, but the
rural districts and small towns are
mostly for Hoover. In Illinois con-
ditionS are similar.
West Virginia, Kentucky, Ten
nessee, Missouri and Oklahoma are
lighting ground, as ever, with the
D
tage In Kentucky. West Virginia
and Oklahoma and the Democrats
ahead in Missouri.
Maryland and Tennessee are re-
ported to be genuinely doubtful
ground, with prohibition the chief
issue.
For the present interest centers
mainly in the Midwest because of
Smiths invasion OF that section.
Nebraska and North Dakota are re-
ported to be close, owing to Repub-
llcan factional troubles and an In
creasing Smith sentiment, which
must go far, however, to overcome
usual Republican majorities. Demo-
Gratis are greatly encouraged In these
two States.
All through the corn and wheat
belts Smiths Endorsement in prin-
clple OF the McNary- Haugen bill is
reported to have put the Republic
ans on the defensive, but they are
SUN declared to have the best of
tne outlook at present In Iowa,
Kansas. South Dakota and espe-
cially in Michigan. Wisconsin is
admitted by both sides to be very
close. The Republicans are GEN
timely alarmed by desertions from
their ranks in Minnesota.
Regular Democratic leaders real
lie the seriousness of the situation
in Virginia, North Carolina. Florida.
Alabama and Texas. and some oh.
servers even class these states as
doubtful on account Of tho anti.
Smith movement among the Demo-
Gratis on the liquor and religious
issues. The weight of opinion. how
ever. seems to be at this writing
that the solid" South will remain
solidly Democratic this year. But
the Virginia regular Democrats. for
instance. are SO alarmed that thew
have laid plans to spend $3.50, 600
for campaign purposes.
X X X II
Hoover Democrats are active in
Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and
to a less extent in South Carolina.
but latest reports indicate that most
OF the anti-Smith Democrats in
these States will remain away from
the polls rather than vote for
Hoover, so that the result will not
be affected so far as the electoral
votes are concerned. The Demo-
cratic factional fight In Mississippi
Is getting extremely bitter.
The Rocky Mountain States are
stirred up over Smiths visit there.
Montana and Colorado continue 10
be called doubtful. The Anti-Saloon
League Is engaged in q major often.
Sive against Smith in the latter.
Idaho continues to lean toward
Hoover, as do Nevada, Utah and
Wyoming. Arizona is called hiehiv
debatable and likely to drop into
the lap of the party which does the
most work there. The situation in
New Mexico is similar.
In the three Pacific Coast States.
washington, Oregon and California.
It will be an uphill night for the
Democrats. Smith Is conceded to
nave q lighting chance" in Wash.
lngton and Oregon, where the wet
sentiment in some sections is strong.
HIS Omaha speech seems to have
met with considerable approval
among the farmers of eastern Ore
gon. and there Is reported to be
a surprising swing Of cattlemen to-
ward him.
In Washington, however, the
Hoover. Curtis ticket is apparently
out In front, while to win Oregon It
Is figured that the Smith-Robinson
ticket must get the vote of one
out OF every three Republicans
and at the same time hold the
Democratic strength 100 per cent.
Smith Is represented as making bio
inroads In the Republican ranks in
oregon, but the Republicans are
counting on the anti-Smith senti-
ment among the women to defeat
him there. ~"'
In Hoover's home State of Cali.
Iornia correspondents report that
the Republican ticket has the adj
vantage: Republican registration is
expected to be in excess of 1900. 600.
based upon the figures up to date
and the Democratic registration is
estimated at approximately 500. 600.
Smiths main chance there seems
10 be to capture the block of nearly
10000 votes received by La Toilette
IN 1924, which is reported to be a
remote one.
(CopyriKht 1a2aO