Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-12
PROSPERITY SEEN.
TARGET OF SMITH
Request for Unemployment
Data Viewed as Move
in Politics.

Special Dispatch 10 The star.
ALBANY. N. Y, February 11.-Gov.
Smith this week undertook what IN
some quarters was looked upon as
possible beginning Of an attack upon
Coolidge prosperity" with an eye TO
the Democratic presidential nomination.
1t was a sudden order to State INDUS
trial Commissioner James a. Hamilton
to undertake at once n survey OF the
unemployed problem in New York City,
which the governor said ne mad Decn
informed was serious
At the same time discussion suddenly
| cropped up throughout the State as to
whether the governor intends to be
present In person at the Houston con-
vention of the Democrats in June T0e
governor said he has not yet made up
his mind. One story had it that among
the proposals to be considered when he
finally gets down to deciding the ques-
ton will be for him to go to Galveston,
so miles from Houston. where he could
be available almost at Z moments
notice If political exigcncies seemed to
demand 1t.
Republicans Quiet.
In the Republican ranks throughout
the State, national politics seemed TO be
more or less marking time after the
sudden furore of few days ago, caused
by meeting OF county chicftains IN
Schenectady About the only political
| interest arose from reports which
reached the capital of the ambition Of
| Seymour Lowman. former lieutenant
governor and now prohibition director
at Washington. to become the vice
presidential nominee on ticket headed
| Ey Herbert Hoover
Gov. Smiths order to Commissioner
Hamilton respecting unemployment was
looked at with both suspicion and deep
| interest, according to the political COM
plcxicn of the onlooker.
There have been brought to my at
tention,' said the governor reports OF
serious condition of unemployment af-
fecting the city and State OF New York
1t present time. / understand that some
OF this is caused by the drifting TO New
York of men from other parts OF the
country where unemployment Is also
making itself felt. Whatever the cause.
there Is l believe. considerable suffering
as a result.
Asks Full Report.
Il should like to be fully informed on
these conditions at the earliest possible
moment would ask. therefore. that
you have the division OF employment OF
your department give me as promptly
as possible report of the present situa-
ton as reflected in the employment bu-
reaus under your department. and any
other sources of information which you
NAV have.
Il would also ask that you make a
rapid survey OF conditions in New York
City utilizing the sources of information
which you have.
My purpose In asking for this Is TO
determine whether the State Of New
program or in any other way. can do
something toward relief Of this situa-
ton
While the personnel OF New York
Democracy's representation at the ma
tional convention has not yet been
worked out, 1t has been decided TO send
eight Observation-Disclosures, four men and
four women, with half a vote apiece
Beyond that nothing has been deter
mined definitely. The same is true as to
the identity of the orator who will place
Gov. Smith in nomination. Four years
ago at New York City this honor fell
10 Franklin u. Roosevelt. former AS
sistant Secretary OF the Navy and
warm personal friend. II Is possible he
will do the same thing at Houston.
The Lowman vice presidential boom
was decidedly infantilc in size. In fact
IL seemed tn rest only on few runners
reaching the capital during the week
At the Schenectady meetineof Repub-
bean country chairman two weeks ago
MIR. Lowman openly advocated the cam
dioacy of Hoover for President Thii
week he was reported To BE- Quietl,'
lining up dry support for himself rs
running mate for Hoover
Opposes Ioushton.
Coupled with this activity. Mr. Low
man was said To be opposing the can
didacy OF Alanson B. Houghion, Am
bassador to Great Britain. Tor election
ms district delegate To the Repnb-
lican national convention at Kansas
CITY, MIR. iioughton's supporters III
the thlrty-third congressional district
hold that he should be named dele
gate-at large. but II they fail accom-
plishing this purpose they arc said IL
be determined to send him as district
delegate, MIR, Iowman proposed that
woman and dry should be sent To
the convention.
THOMAS c. STOWELL,