Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-24
BAY STATE c. O.P.
A|MSAT HARMONY
Liggett Heads Campaign to
Win State for RepubIi-
can Ticket.
Special Dispatch to The Star.


BOSTON, June 23.--Reccgnzing that
because of the popularity of Gov. Smith
of New York in Massachusetts, and be-
cause of the detection of wet" Repub-
licans who are out of sympathy with
the dry plank in their party's platform,
the Bay State must be classed as
doubtful State. New leaders of the
party have begun victory drive. AS It's
first purpose the drive seeks to bring
various warning factions together into
an harmonious unit, for unless the full
strength of the party can be mustered
there is grave danger that the State will
be lost by the Republicans.
The passing of President Coolidge and
with him Chairman William M. Butler
of the Republican national committee
has brought about complete change
in party leadership in Massachusetts,.
Louis <. Liggett, head of the United
Drug Co, who has succeeded Mr.. Butler
as a member of the national commit
tee, is at the helm of the party's or
ganization and while he was a part of
the old order in the State, he finds that
he must now rely very largely on a new
and younger group of political leaders
who came into prominence and power
with the advent of the Hooyer-for-
President boom.
Richardson Is Named.
Accordingly, Mr.. Liggett has named
John Richardson, who had been men,
toned as a possible candidate against
him for nat.-nal committeeman, as his
chief aide. MFR. Richardson so ably
directed the Hoover forces in Massachu-
sets during the pre-convention cam
paign as to gain national recognition
among those who were largely respon-
Sible for the success of the Hoover
movement. He has a large following
throughout the State and is looked upon
as a coming man in Massachusetts,
politics.
Mrs. Pauline Revere Thayer is the
new national committeewoman from
Massachusetts,, having won the honor
after long and bitter struggle which
has left the women OF the State divided,
thus making her task extremely delicate
and difficult. 1t will take strong lead
ership to heal the scars among the Re-
publican women who have been ex-
tremely active in recent election cam
paign. Mrs. Frank Roe Batchelder of
worcester, vice chairman of the Re-
publican State committee, who was de-
feated by Mrs. Thayer, has shown excel
lent craftsmanship and Is doing her
best TO bring the two groups. together.
The ticket of Hoover and Curtis is
generally looked upon as strong COM
bination In Massachusetts,, although
it was felt that the selection of an
fastener for the vice presidency would
have made it easier to hold the State
in line. Senator Curtis may yet prove
to be an asset, however. It is under
stood that he is one-ouarter French
Canada. as well as Indian. the balance
of his ancestry being of old Puritan
stock Massachusetts, has many thou
sand French-Canadian citizens, who.
although generally found in the Re-
publican column, were expected to be
off-color this year because of religious
reasons and because they are almost
100 per cent "wat" It is now ex-
pected that they viii line up behind
the first candidate to be placed on
national ticket who has French-Cana-
dian blood In his veins.
Faces Many Problems
Mr.. Liggett states frankly that he
appreciates he has a hard task before
him. He has inherited number of
problems which have caused dissatis-
faction In the party. but optimistically
expects to overcome them.
He says he feels so heartened by the
manner in which the younger element
Is taking hold, and by the enthusiasm
It shows. that he believes Hoover and
Curtis will carry Massachusetts,. At
the same time. he also believes that the
Republicans win gain the seat In the
Senate lost two years ago when David
T. Walsh defeated Senator Butler for
the unexpired term caused by the
death of Senator Henry Cabot Lodge.
Unless something unforeseen changes
the situation. IL now looks as though
the Republicans will practically unani-
mously back Benjamin Loring Young
of Weston. former speaker of the Mas
sachusetts House. for the Senate nom
ination. Mr.. Young was clerk of the
committee on credentials at the Kansas
City convention and also made the
nominating speech In bringing the
vention as vice presidential POSSIBLE
ity He Is an able campaigner and has
large following In all parts of the
State.
The Republicans are to hold an un-
Official conference in Symphony Hall
next Saturday for the purpose Of con-
sidering senatorial possibilities, but
present indications are that the way
will be cleared for Mr.. Young with lit
tie or no opposition. II he receives the
unanimous Endorsement of this confer
ence his nomination will be assured
On Friday night preceding this con-
ference the Republican Club of MaSsa-
chusetts is to hold banquet in the
Statier Hotel which will formally mark
the beginning of the Hoover Curtis
campaign in President Coolidge's home
State. Several speakers of national
prominence are to participate and the
euent will attract wide attention