New Britain herald., 1928-10-25
HOOVER MAY HAVE
To ANSWER Smith
HIS Given Governor FiHl
1lleiNs lared Of Campaign


bert Hoover found today he had
stirred up . controversy that prob
ably will dominate the campaign
until it, close ~ days hence when
he denounced Governor Alfred E.
Smiths prohibition modification,
farm relief and water power pro-
posals - state socialism,
Studying speech
The republican candidate today
was studying Smiths speech last
night In which the democratic can
didate ridiculed the "socialistic" at
tack. He likewise gave his atten-
ton to the harsh criticism Of his
Madison Square Garden speech by
Senator George Norris Of Nebraska,
Independent republican leader. who
has declared for Smith.
Hoover was considering whether
the fusillade will make 1t necessary
for him to take up the issue again
On his own behalf In the final cam
paign speech he will make at st.
Louis on November on his way
west. He announced last night he
would speak chiefly on farm relief
and inland waterways, with some
attention to other issues. In that ad-
dress. The republican candidate
may decide to ignore Smiths reply
He has declined heretofore to be
drawn into any debate.
Tangible Target
Smith. It appears, Is going to en-
phasixe the ''socialistic" attack. He
has been waiting since the outset OF
the campaign for a tangible target,
for Hoover to say something direct
" about his program. He now has
It. He considers the last few days
Of the campaign the most import
ant. He probably will use this am
munition to the limit. In = play for
the break" In the closing days. 1t
revolves around his three leading
issues.
Whether Hoover says anything
further may depend upon just how
persistent his opponent becomes and
what Norris says In his speech Sat-
urday night. formally declaring for
Smith.
The Nebraska senator's word car
fies weight with those who followed
the late Senator LaFollette in 1924,
especially In the northwest. He said
Hoover's Madison Square Garden
speech slapped every progressive
minded man and woman In America
in the face" He thereby raised the
issue directly. ....
Norris Has Weapon
Il gives Norris an immediate
weapon beyond his general opposi-
ton to Hoover. which he will set
forth in detail in his Saturday night
speech. Both republican and demo-
cratic leaders are studying the pro-
able effect Of Norris support OF
Smith and making their own specu-
iations. Hoover. himself. declined
to comment on Norris move.
The northwest is a battle-ground,
and there Norris declaration will be
chiefly effective. Its effect will de-
pend upon Its influence among those
who supported LaFollette. of whom
there were nearly 5000, 900 through
out the country. No one knows ev-
actly what they will be in actual
election results. strateEists Of both
parties are going back to the 1924
record. ......
May Get II Votes
That shows that while LaFollette
carried only his own state, the COM
bined Davis-I.aFollette vote was
greater in four other states than
that polled by Coolidge. Those states
were North and South Dakota. Ne
braska and Montana, with Coolidge's
vote only 1000 greater than the
combined vote in Wyoming. The
electoral vote Of the five states is
IL. Wyoming has three votes. La
Toilette also polled a large vote In
many cities, even in the east. 1t is
possible Norris support might have
some effect In them.
Hoover and his advisers are con-
sidering all these things as they map
cut their strategy for the final