New Britain herald., 1928-08-18

tive Stand by Both Par
ties in Their Fight for
Votes.
Washington. Aug. Is R-The
democratic bid for the farm states
and the republican invasion of the
south both have come into clearer
perspective during another week OF
political activity paced by the fast
stepping issues of prohibition, reli-
gion and farm relief.
Governor Smith apparently has
taken into camp a considerable
group of farm leaders, who already
are beginning to suit their actions
to the words of challenge that rang
through the republican convention
hal at Kansas City. Secretary
Hoover. now the formally ordained
captain of republican destinies. has
given his personal attention to the
call of dry southern democrats for
his leadership. And on both of these
issues there has been a further
choosing of sides by democrats and
republicans who were left lettering
on the fence by the action of the
party conventions.
The religious issue, talked of in
private from one end of the coun-
try to the other, has been publicly
pronounced by paramount question
of the campaign by leader of bolt
ing democrats in Alabama and re-
ligious editor from Boston There
are many who do not agree with
them, and the debate goes on In
tumultuous, sharp-worded fashion.
The names of many other issues
appear on the cast Of characters Of
the 1928 campaign as 1t is written
out in the party platforms. Some
OF them will be heard in minor
speaking parts as the campaign
drama unfolds. But if any conclu-
sion can be drawn from the OPEN
ing scenes, it Is Enthusiastically that
the central theme of the play is be-
ing carried forward by that trio Of
rejuvenated veterans Of the political
state-prohibition, farm relief, and
religion.
OF the three. farm relief has
stood most often before the foot
lights during the passing week. Mr..
Hoover's farm pronouncement in
his speech OF acceptance was re-
ceived with much republican ap-
plause In the farm country. Former
Governor Lowden. silent since the
Of his rival on a farm
plank not OF the Lowden pattern,
issued statement OF praise temp
cred by an expression of doubt as
to the working out OF the Hoover
farm aid plan. In Iowa, hotbed of
McNary Haugenism, Governor
Hammill, Senator Brookhart and
every congressman except Repre-
sentative Haugen. lauded the Hoov-
er pronouncement.
On the democratic side, Governor
conference with farm lead
ers at Albany was impressive part
" because the group included two
who had been delegates to the Kan
sas City convention. Earl c. Smith
Of Illinois and Frank W. Murphy
81 Minnesota. Publicly the group
went no further at Albany than to
say In Joint statement that they
we're pleased at the Governors at
fitude. Since then, the Illinois
smith, without referring directly to
he New York Smith,. has told a
Of 1llinoic farmers that
he time has come to forget party
INES and vote for farm relief
Murphy, even before he went to Al
'any, said he was against Hoover"
In the three OF the farm belt
'tates, the week saw other deyelop-
nents shoulder their way into the
POLITICAL news column. Brother
,harlie" Bryan OF Nebraska, de-
pite the family dryness. came out
or Smith because of. the farm re.
lef issue. Republican Senator /
'chal of Minnesota announced he
'ould not support Hoover actively
BECAUSE Schall did not agree with |
5oover on Farm Relief, and repub-
lean Senator Blaine of Wisconsin J
assailed Hoover on a charge I
II seeking to hide from the voters
the outstanding corruptions of the |
iarding-Coolidge administration"
Much more is to be heard about |
arm relief in the week. ahead. |
ioover's running-mate, Senator Cur |
is of Kansas, the author of several
pieces of farm legislation. Is to de-
liver his acceptance speech late to-
lay OF Topeka. Hoover is on his
way from the Pacific coast to a
hree-day pow-wow with mid west
.rn leaders in Iowa, during which
he will deliver an address devoted
o agriculture. Governor Smith has
PROMISED to deal with the farm re-
lef issue in his own acceptance
peech next Wednesday at Albany. |
All of this may not be SO inter-
sting to newspaper readers in the |
asst and south. but the importance
# the issue in the counting of cleo
oral votes is not discounted by any |
political headquarters. Madvices
rom the west speak daily of meet
ngs of farmers to discuss their pro-
'lem. and the western newspapers
|isplay prominently every utterance !
# a political leader touching even