The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-10-13

His subject will be the tariff.
Kentucky is another border State
where the fighting is keen and
the outcome in doubt. Always 8
battle-ground, Kentucky presents
this year probably as hot a conflict
as can be found anywhere in the
country.
Normally it is Democratic-but
by the scantest of margins-an6
twice in its turbulent political his
tory Kentucky has gone Republican
in presidential elections. Mckinley
squeezed out a victory in 1896 by
Isl votes. Coolidge carried it -four
yeors ago by $4,000, although the
combined Davis-La Toilette vote
was greater than his. In all other
years it has gone Democratic, but
by small margins.
This year the professional poll
ticians call Kentucky toss-up. II
is battle ground. it is doubtful
and. like Tennessee, the religious
and prohibition issues play a big
part.
Governor Smith brought his
candidacy across the Kentucky
border after whirIwind day IN
Tennessee, day Democratic leaders
of the State described one of
triumph. 1t included two unsched-
uled speeches and the greatest ova-
ton and reception Governor Smith
has yet encountered in his national
campaign travels.
Nashville Goes Wild
This was in Nashville last night.
Nashville residents said it was the
biggest crowd and the biggest night
the city has experienced since the
Armistice celebration of 10 years
ago.
AS a result, Governor Smith left
Tennessee with assurances from
State leaders who, up to now. have
been none too confident that he
win carry the State. Senator Ken
meth D. Mcclellan. who is up for
reelection. told the Governor he
would carry the State by car least
$4,000. Mcclellan himself expects
to win by more than $4,000.
Yielding finally to the pleas of
State leaders for "a real fighting
speech" in Tennessee, Governor
Smith in Nashville last night went
after Hoover without gloves. He
Senator Charles Curtis.
He accused his Republican oppon-
emit of evasion, ducking, lodging,
and confusing the issues of the
campaign-from farm relief to pro-
hfbition, from water power to i'm
migration.
Governor Smith concerned him
self particularly with the speech
Hoover delivered at Elizabethton,
Tenn, last Saturday. He regaled
his audience with copious extracts
from Hoover's speech and then
would demand, with rich sarcasm:
What does that mean? Now
where does he stand on that?"
Hits Silence on Shoals
1t was upon the water power is
sue that Governor Smith went after
his Republican opponent hardest.
Water power is a warm issue in
Tennessee. Just across the border
lies the great Muscle Shoals project,
the development and disposition of
which means much to Tennessee in
dustry.
He declared he had searched
Hoover's speech in vain for some
mention of Muscle Shoals.
ITO my great surprise" he said,
'Mr. Hoover didn't even mention it..
Lets see what he did say, He
said There are local instances where
the Government must enter the
business field as a by-product of
some great major purpose such as
Improvement in navigation, flood
control, scientific research, or ma
tional defense
ANYBODY that can make any,
thing out of that is entitled to have
It.
IT don't know what he can mean
by 'by-product' unless it is the gen.
Grafton of power. In another part
of his speech he said that viola
lions of the public interest by in
dividuals or corporations should not
induce US to abandon progressive
principles and substitute in their
place deadly and destructive doc
trines.
81 would like to know what Mr.
Hoover means by deadly and de-
Structive doctrines Does he refer
to Government ownership and con-
troll of water power sites? If so,
why not say it? What is to be
gained by clothing it in language
that the man on the street is un-
able to understand?
"Is public ownership and public
development of water power deadly?
Is IL a destructive doctrine? If so,
WHY not let Mr.. Hoover come right
ont and say L believe in leasing,
ar selling. or in disposing of, to
nriyate corporations for private de-
1eIopment and for private profit,
the gerat water-power resources that
belong to all the peoples?
1.That would define the issue. But
INV evade IL? Why conceal it be.
hind a wall of high-sounding
-,brases that leave in the minds of
"a many thousands of our people
the element of doubt as to his exact
since his speech, Governor Smith
said. Mr.. Hoover himself had issued
tue statements trying to explain
his position on Muscle Shoals, land,
~ anything at all, his position has
become more involved than ever"
For himself. the Democratic nomi-
nee reiterated his policy of public
nwnership and public control of
Ssfer-power development. And he
ssked: where does Mr.. Hoover
stand?"
Tackles Dry Issue
coyernor Smith went into the
rrohibition issue with the same