Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1928-07-05
''DOpeSters' Make Election
Predictions ON Candidates

Helena, July 5. Especial to The
Herald. THE political rail birds"
OF the state are now in conclave at
| Helena and will continue their en-
beavers until the primary election
July II. Each day sees new faces
gathered in the lobby Of the Placer
hotel, some tired and travel-worn
from their labored efforts to dove1on
enthusiasm for their particular can
didate, while the older and more ex-
perlenced regard their efforts to en-
tighten the voters in whom thew
should repose their confidence as
part of the days work. These can
dldateS drift in to get the low down
and possibly few words of encour-
agement from their group of man
ayers Those visits are occasions
Tor Il general checking-up. Both
democrats and republicans gather
around and to use their expression
get the dope"
10 the uninitiated i+ is difficult to
comprehend how these dopesters who
travel over the state learning senti-
ment from contact with less than
ohe-tenth of one percent of the vot
ers can get any size-up of the situ-
alton. The faculty for gathering po-
lltical sentiment which is so highly
developed in some members of the
fraternity, is almost uncanny. Such
great faith is imposed in some Of the
men who each campaign sallv forth
IN the quest of political information
that to the minds Of the rail birds"
the election is merely formal
procedure to justify their predictions
or deductions.
May Have Upset
In the present campaign, according
to one of the deans Of the crowd, the
Williams-Dixon contest is about the
only possible chance for a real unset.
Dixon, who has been a figure in
Montana politics for 80 years, looked
like q short money entry at the begin
mng of the campaign. But with the
approach of the election, in the ver-
nacular of the clan, "Williams per-
sonality and publicity is beginning
to bite in. The Dixon supporters are
their efforts to hold the old
Dixon machine but certain deflec-
tions are causing them some con
Germ. Williams is fine figure of
man ard r. been making a consist
ent personal campaign. He is per-
sohally popular among the politicians
Of the state and the wise observers
unhesitatingly predict "horse race"
IN that contest.
Gubernatoral Contest
Failure to vote is the only manner
possible to defeat Erickson for the
nomination, is the pre-
it4fann ,sf tho.a =. ri
an develop no enthusiasm over the
gubernatorial contest. To
their predictions they
,cint to the betting odds in the pop
ilous centers. Butte, Great Falls.
Helena, and Billings quote Erickson
It 5 to 2. That is, the better has to
ay five dollars Of Erickson money
0 win two of Ayers money And
hey predict longer odds as the cleo
ion approaches. The Erickson cam
aign is just starting and the "wise
eads" predict his nomination by
arge majority. BY the same token
hey pronounce the Erickson nomin-
ton as equivalent to election in
lovember. They credit Erickson's
trength to the fact that he has been
a good governor, not sensational.
ut consistent and has impressed the
eople with his honesty Of purpose
nd action"
In the republican gubernatorial
,ntest Dennis and Rankin have the
all. Paul is not regarded as a SER
us contender. and while Walker is
aking a vigorous personal cam
lgn, he Is working virtually alone.
c has had some clever personal
intact publicity but for some rea-
m they can find but little enthus-
SIN for Walker. They regard Den
S as the most serious contender i'm
ovember, should he get the nomin-
ion. and in summing up the situa-
IN are almost unanimous in the
1T is Dennis or Ran
n, with the odds favoring Dennis"