The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-09-28
KEEPING UP
With
THE NE WIS
81 LUDWELL DENNY
WTAsHINGToN, Sept. 28.-Hoo-

4
WTASHINGTON, Sept. 28.-Hoo-
w ver's failure to muzzle Mrs.
Mabel Walker Willebrandt is
grave political error in the opinion
Of many politicians of both parties.
Efforts of this United States as
sistant attorney general ito turn
| Methodist pulpits into Hoover plat
forms and unite Prootestants against
AL Smith," are believed by these
politicians to be hurting Hoover
much more than helping him.
In addition to her effect on
doubtful voters, she has split the
Republican national committee AM
created q serious organizational prob
lem for Hoover. Maurice Maschke.
Republican national committeeman
IN Ohio, where she has most of her
speeches, says her activity is mis-
guided"
Senator George Moses and other
Hoover campaign managers in the
East deplore her work. While a
majority faction of the national
committee, represented by Repre-
sentative Walter Newton, chairman.
Of the western speakers bureau. are
all for this woman spellbinder.
IL Is perhaps no secret that no
commander welcomes division withit
his general staff in the midst q
battle, which has been Mrs. wiz
brandts contribution.
n n
TINE many who credit HooveY
Il personally with costly blum
der argue that he has permitted
her to tie his hands by failing TO
act before her activities became a
country wide issue They say he
could have silenced her with very
little trouble or publicity in the be-
ginning, but now he cannot disavow
her without calling down upon his
head the irate attack of dry, church
and Women's organizations.
Considering the matter altogether
apart from its ethical merits, and
looking only at it's so-called politi-
cal consequences, Hoover cannot
now muzzle Mrs. Willebrandt with
out appearing to have his hand
forced by Smiths attack.
Some of his friends think the
whole thing has now gone so far
he cannot disclaim her without
seeming to accept personal respon-
sibility for her past speeches, and
indirectly shoulder blame for other
and more partisan religious oppo-
sition to Smith with which he has
no connection whatever.
The lesser Of two evils, according
to these advisers, is to ignore pub
licly the criticism of Mrs. WILLIE
brandt, but quietly force her to
tone down her addresses.
THIS is not enough, according to
"A those who think she is doing
the candidate much more harm
than good. They argue:
l. Her appeal is to religious bod
les who are already committed to
Hoover and against Smith. Instead
Of winning votes she is converting
only the converted. Her Ohio
speeches were in territory already
safely Republican.
2. Smith must be stopped in the
eastern States with the large eYkN
toral votes, such as New York
Massachusetts, and it is precisel
these critical States that reports y,
I her speeches have been most costly
to Hoover Eastern Manager Moses
says: Il have received what might
be termed a significant number of
kilograms protesting against Mrs.
Willebrandt S work" The siguifi-
canoe Of Moses statement is en-
HANGED by cancellation of her
speaking engagement at White
Plains, N. Y.
8. BY attempting to lire up the
Protestant vote for Hoover, she Is
unwittingly encouraging all Catho-
lies to swing to Smith. AS the re-
cent Maine State election showed,
there are many Catholic Republic
ans, such as those of the French
Canadian group, who were not bolt
ing to the Democratic ticket.
The ability of the Republicans TO
hold these Catholics may determine
the election results in such States
as New York and Massachusetts,,
and thus swing the election.