Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-03-03
Movement of Backers Seen
as Real Drive for Senator
From Montana.
WILL LEAVE ACTIVE
CAMPAIGN TO FRIENDS
Name Will Be Entered in Wiscon-
sin. California and South
Dakota.
BY G.. GOULD LINCOLN.

Senator Thomas J. Walsh Of Montana,
Of Teapot Dome investigation fame and
permanent chairman of the last Demo-
cratic national convention. is put for
ward by the dry Democrats il a number
of Western States for the presidential
nomination. The movement, in addi-
ton to being a real Walsh movement,
is in antagonism to the nomination Of
Gov Alfred Z. Smith Of New York. or
of any other wet.
Senator Walsh has assented 70 the
plan for the entry Of his name in the
primaries in three Western States, al
though he insists that he is not to make
an active campaign himself for the
nomination, but will remain on the 100
in Washington.
A statement issued by Senator Walsh
today said:
The purpose mentioned in the press
to enter me as a candidate for the DEM
ocratic nomination for President in the
States of Wisconsin. South Dakota and
California has in no sense been inspired
by me. though in each case l have as
sented TO the plans Of friends conten-
plating such action.
Will Not Leave Senate.
1T may be that the fact that vas
born in the first-named State and in
the second lived for six years. and that
l voted consistently for Mr.. McAdoo
throughout the long contest at San
Francisco in 1920. and at New York in
1924. may account in some measure for
the movement III those States. I have
no campaign plans ana no thought OF
quitting my duties here 10 promote my
candidacy. il such IL may be called. Il
my services TO the party have been
such as to entitle me TO consideration
in connection with the presidency, I
dare say the rank and file are not
| ignorant OF the fact
The determination 10 enter Senator
Walsh in the California primary has
| the backing OF William Gibbs McAdoo
and his supporters in that State. With
| both Gov Smith Of New YORK and
! Senator Reed OF Mo. entered Il the
primaries there. il is believed here that
| the Walsh candidacy has an additional
| chance OF succeeding. since both Smith
and Reed are vets and Walsh will
| have the support of the dry Democrats
and the Wilson Democrats who follow
| Mr. McAdco.
Confers With McAdoo.
II is known that Mr.. McAdoo was in
conference with Senator Walsh N re-
gard 10 his entering the California
primary before the announcement was
made in the State by john o. Davis.
a member of the northern California
committee Of five representing the dry
faction. headed by McA6oo. John Is.
Elliott OF Los Angeles. Democratic can
didate for the Senate IN 1926, the Nc
Adoo candidate for that place. is also
backing the Walsh candidacy in the
State Senator Walsh. Il is generally
understood. may have the delegation cf
his own State 10 the national corvsr-
ton i'll Houston. !. he desires II. This
IS true III spite OF the fact that there
is considerable Smith sentiment among
the Democrats in Montana.
The Walsh candidacy WAS inter-
preted here today as part ~ the CAM
paign by the dryS ~ prevent the romi-
nation y. Gov. Smith % New Work.
The Western States are dry. yet III
those States there has been much Smith
sentiment. Senator Jim Reed of MIS-
souri,, another ives, IS even now cam
paisn,nG III those States, The GryS be-
heve. 1t IS said, thar il IS high time
they had Western candidate III the
field against those TWO vets. In Sem
ator Walsh, an outstanding figure III
the party and u consistent dry, they
&IieFe they have the right man.
Southern Group in Favor.
Senator Walsh, i was said by South
er0 Democrats here today. would ind
more favor III the States of the South
than doe> either Gov, Smith or Senator
Reed, The South is politically very dry.
II Is true that The South Is also Str,lsy
PROTESTANT and that the opposition 10
Gov. Smith Is largely WI The grounds
that he is Catholic. although The cp-
position voiced against him openly Is
confined III a great extent ~ the TACT
he is Wet, Senator Walsh IS al>c y
Catholic,
II II were q choice between Walsh
and Smith. however. Walsh would have
greater favor with The Southern lis,e-
gates III the national convention. Smith
Is attacked III the South Oot Only vi
the ground that Ne is n WET and a Cath
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