Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-29

ayers IN many States
until after Hoover and Smith deliver
their speeches OF acceptance next
month. the battle is already Joined
in other sections in a manner whose
flerceneSs augurS contest of ever
increasing intensity right up to cleo
ton day in November. according to
the latest dispatches received by
The Star from its correspondents in
all parts # the country
From widely separated communi-
ties come reports that Smith is
making big inroads among normally
Republican voters IN the larger
cities. where the wet sentiment is
strong. and that in the rural Sec
tons many dry Democrats are turn
ing TO Hoover: No signs have been
detected thus far OF a landslide In
either direction, and observers in
many States frankly say that the
situation is too complicated and in
formation too meager to permit oil
an accurate analysis at this time.
49, ~
Managers Of both parties are
sending out scouts to discover and
investigate dangerous spots" so
they can prepare TO do their hard
est campaigning there later. Straw
votes in several States still show de-
fections from both parties. The
anti-Smith revolt in the South con-
tinues to spread. but even those
Democrats who take the most pes
simistic view of it have not ven-
tured TO suggest that any State OF
the solid South will actually go Re-
publican. even though Democratic
majorities may be greatly reduced.
No new issues have appeared to
subordinate the liquor and religious
questions, which are reported TO be
influencing as much as ever the rank
and file of the voters, regardless OF
the efforts of the leaders to lay stress
upon farm relief. the tariff. cor
ruption In government and similar
questions. These other issues are
apparently leaving most of the
voters cold except III several Middle
West States. WHERE farm relief re-
mains live problem.
In New England interest centers
for the present in Massachusetts,.
Recent surveys are reported to con-
firm early indications that the Bay
State should be classed as doubtful
Both Republican and Democratic
State committees have received in
formation which is said to reveal
that large numbers Of voters, who
cast their ballots for Coolidge four
years ago, are now planning to vote
for Smith. Scores of liberal Re-
publicans In this Republican strong
hold are declared to have been won
over to nth because Of his wet
ness. Republican managers believe
this. If true, is a temporary condi-
ton and are laying plans to win
them back. The extent of the de-
lection is not known and observers
are Yefraining from making predic-
tons. Both parties are in the midst
of one OF the greatest registration
drives In the States history.
Mrs. Gertrude NJ Pattangall, for
many years a Democratic leader in
Maine and former member of the
Democratic national committee. has
furnished sensation by announc-
ing that she will bolt the Smith
ticket and vote for Hoover and the
Republican candidate for governor.
She objects to Smiths wetnesS.
While no important developments at
this time are reported from New
Hampshire, Rhode Island and Ver-
mont, word comes from Connect
cut that the Democrats have started
the campaign there by opening
headquarters In New Haven. Realiz-
ing that they will have hard time
to make inroad on the normally
big Republican majority in that
State, the Democrats are going
after the new voters and relying on
the Smith sentiment In the indus
trial centers. The Nutmeg Repub-
Leans. although less active, are or
ganizing for the fight.
Verbal fireworks, mostly furnished
by Gov. Smith. nave been the fea-
ture OF the week In New York
State. Smith has rather scornfully
ught to belittle various Republic
an claims regarding the Empire
State and other parts of the country
as "old stuff" The governor Is
showing disposition to answer
critics tartly, not only In the Re-
publican party. but in his own.
With other things Moses declares
speech fixed for August %, the
Democratic nominee Is settling down
TO put his views in writing. With
the opening OF headquarters in New
York City by Senator Moses Of
New Hampshire. assistant chairman
OF the Republican advisory commit
tee, the Republican campaign in the
East has begun To get under way.
Among other things Moses declares
he will try to "pry out of their
seats" the seven Democratic SEN
ators up for reelection in the At
lantic seahoard States.
New Jersey Democratic leaders
are promising monster gathering
at Seagirt August IS. when Gov.
Smith is scheduled to speak Smith
day" at Seagtrt is 10 mark the
formal opening of the Democratic
campaign in the State, and a rous-
ing campaign along old-time Demo-
cratic lines is promised The Re-
publicans expect To walt until Sep
TENDER before Numbering their big
guns in New Jersey Preliminary
Republican plans To roll up the
usual big majority In Pennsylvania
are expected TO be complete by
August 10. The Democrats hope
Smith will speak in the State and
help them to increase the Demo-
cratic vote In the Industrial sections,
Both sides are making ready 10 fight
all along the line for Maryland,
where the result is admitted by both
parties TO be doubtful at this writing
II
The Ohio situation continues to
be very uncertain. For the moment
the state primary contest over
shadows national issues, but pfohi-
bition as factor IN the presidential
campaign seems 10 be increasing In
Importance Many Democrats claim.
and some Republicans are fearful,
that Smith will carry the larger
cities on the wet issue. A straw
vote st.:i shows Smith leading in
Cleveland and the Democrats are
confident In Cincinnati. But the
rural sections continue to show
strong Hoover sentiment The big
question before Ohio politicians IL
whether the dry farmers and Wiz
layers can by their votes overcome
the Smith strength in the big cities