The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-05-08
KEEPING UP
With
THE NE WIS
BY LUDWELL DENNY

Il
pect the Indiana primary today to
put him nearer the Republican
presidential nomination. They want
the votes and the thirty-three
Hoosier delegates to the Kansas
City convention, and believe they
will get them; but it is the issue
that counts, they say.
BY going into the Indiana contest
against heavy odds, Hoover has be-
come the candidate Of Republicans
revolving from State political COR
ruption and machine rule, it is said.
In the minds of the the rank and
file of Republicans throughout the
country Hoover is thus identified
with the Cleanup politics" SEN
timent, which may be an important
factor in determining the next
President, they add.
Senator Jim Watson, favorite son
opponent Of Hoover, controls the
State machine. He has told the
voters he has clean hands. He
claims to be untouched by the cor
ruption which caused the imprison-
ment or indictment Of two Repub-
Iican Governors and other State Of
ficials, and the life sentence of
Dragon Stephenson which broke the
Ku-KluX Klan political domination.
n
BY the power of political appoint
ment and long personal acquaint-
ance with township party leaders,
Watson has almost a strangle hold,
especially in the rural districts. He
is expected to get the Khan vote.
HOover's strength is in the in
dustrial centers, particularly in
Indianapolis and in the northern
cities such as TT. Wayne.
So far as Watson is concerned
the fight is not over the presidential
nomination, but over retention of
his own power in the State and,
through that, his voice in national
party affairs. He does not expect
by any chance to be the choice Of
the Kansas City convention, even
though there is a deadlock per-
hitting unlikely nomination Of a
favorite son or dark horse can
didate.
Watson is so closely connected
with the LOwden-Dawes twin can
didacy, that Lowden stayed out Of
the Indiana primary. Though Wat
son is expected after the beginning
to throw his votes, if he has any,
to Lowden, his real choice IS be-
lieved 10 be Vice President Dawes.
Despite organizatiOnal and farm
issue handicaps, Hoover's candidacy
has made rapid gains in the State
in the last fortnight His victory
in the neighboring Ohio primary
and leadership in the national race,
joined with the local anti-corrup-
ton crusade, has piled up a heavy
popular Hoover sentiment in many
communities.
=
TINE SENATE committee invest
i igating campaign expenditures
may make a new kind OF record
that of uncovering no scandals. III
sharp contrast with former cam
paign years, when the Use Of large
funds has been disclosed, this year
all of the candidates appear to be
competing for a chance to show how
little they are spending.
Senator Borah, testhying Mon
day, reported he had not spent a
cent to get the nomination, but he
added he is not really a candidate
despite the complimentary vote OF
Idaho Republicans.
Senator Norris was less fortunate.
An editor ran his picture, and then
sent him a bill for Sc, which rep
resents the total fund Of the
progressive Republican candidate Of
the Nebraska and Wisconsin dele
cations.
Senator Curtis of Kansas, led
with S11 1853. Senator Golf of West
Virginia wanted the committee to
understand that although he had
spent only $780, he was a real can
didate and not stalking horse for
any one else as charged.
Among the Democrats, Senator
Walsh of Montana, reported $1,19O;
Senator George of Georgia, had
S156; former Senator Hitchcock of
Nebraska, $1,744, and Representa-
tive Hull of Tennessee, approx
mately $1,000.
Today the committee goes to
Maryland to take Governor Ritchie's
testimony, returning to Washington
later in the day to hear Senator
Reed of Missouri. Then the lead
ing candidates will have their turn,
Hoover on Wednesday, and Smith
in New York Thursday.