The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-05-03
KEEPING UP
With
THE NE WIS
BY LUDWELL DENNY

vention, Republicans opposing Hoo
ver's nomination Will raise this
question in a dozen different forms,
and answer them all with a lusty
no"
Such is the result Of the Smith
victory in the California Democratic
primary, apparently assuring his
nomination on an early ballot.
The anti-Hoover forces, composed
of the Lowden-Dawes-W Watson Cur
tiS-Gof- Hilles factions, are faced
with the problem of convincing
their party within six weeks that
Hoover's nomination would result
in a Democratic victory in Novem-
/ Der.
The argument against Hoover
from now on will be put something
like this:
l. Smith is certain of carrying
the South; the expected Democratic
split against him has not developed;
Many southern Democrats will stay
away from the polls rather than
vote for the wet Catholic, but they
will not vote Republican.
2 Given the normal Democratic
States, Smiths election will depend
upon capturing Republican strong
holds in the East and in farm States
OF the Middle West, and in holding
border States such as Tennessee.
3. Smith probably can carry New
York State against any Republican.
except Coolidge or Hughes, and GER
talnly can carry it against Hoover.
fThls phase Of the argument will be
stressed particularly by Hilles. New
York boss and leader of the So
called draft Coolidge and dark
horse movementS) Smith NAV get
not only the popular support in his
home State, but also the financial
and moral backing Of Wall Street
/ which is behind the Hilles anti
Hoover drive.
4. The biggest issue in the Mid
dle-West is farm relief. inspiring
increasing augur against Coolidge
Hoover opposition to the McNarv-
Haugen bill. Tammany Senators and
Representatives in Washington are
supporting this bill Such tactics
added to the unexpected Smith pri-
mary and convention victories in
Oklahoma and Iowa, indicate that
only an advocate Of the McNary-
Haugen bill can keep some at least
OF the Middle-West States from a
protest leap into the Democratic
column. This will be the argu-
ment Of the Lowden-D Dawes Curtis
Watson group)
D. Smith might get either the
New York pivot Of eastern States. or
the border and some of the Middle
West States. and still be defeated.
put II he gets both groups, his cleo
ton Is certain. Therefore, any can
dldate would be better than Hoover.
VINO stands to lose both of these
groups to Smith.
HOOVER managers are confident
Il Il they can answer these arpu-
ments as effectively as they disposed
Oh the earlier charges-that Hoover
Is not a good Republican and not
good American-which collapsed
IN the bitter Ohio primary fight.
Here will be the Hoover answer.
l. If Hoover cannot beat Smith
then no Republican can.
2. Smiths power is as a candi-
GATE OF the people, therefore he can
De beaten only by a man of wider
popular appeal, which is precisely
HooYer's strength. For years Hoov-
er has been the ideal of millions
OF people, who finally are forcing
ms nomination against the Will of
the politicians. What other Repub-
llcan candidate, aVowed or dark
morse, has the popular following and
polling power Of Hoover? None
Dawes, as demonstrated in the Ohio
/ primary, IS weak even in his native
state
3. BY common Republican con-
sent, the party must fight the next
campaign of the basis of the &C
complishment and perpetuation of
the Coolidge administration Hoov-
er represents more than any other
the Coolidge administration, of
which he has been a creative part.
Most of the other candidates, such
as Lowden and Dawes, would
present the paradox Of candidates
who had diSaVoWed Coolidge poll
c1es running on Coolidge plat
form.
q. Hoover can win the support of
the farmers, and Wall Streets sup
port of Smith would help Hoover
as the candidate of the people more
than If mould hunt ;,j,,,