The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-09-27
KEEPING UP
With
THE NE WIS
RY LIJDWELL DENNY

- l. AOD ELI 1aANAN@
XNTASHINGTON, Sept. 27-Wlth
w Smith swinging back toward
home from his hard-hitting drive
around the western farm circuit OF
discomfort, Hoover is trying to make
up his mind on campaign strategy.
What to do Continue to sit tight
and say little, or take the stump in
the West in a cleanup sweep just
before the election?
The only definite Hoover plan so
far is for three speeches east of the
Mississippi in roughly the first three
weeks OF October; at Elizabethton,- .
Tenn, on the 9th, at New York City
on the 18th, and at Boston few
days later
But in crossing the wide stretch
of West on his way to California to
vote, shall he make that trek in ST
lence or shouting defiance at his
Democratic opponent?
The reason for this indecision, is,
Of course, Smiths thunder between
the Mississippi and the Rockies. The
Hoover campaign experts out in the
field are now attempting to measure
the damage from that storm,
whether it was all thunder or sorne-
thing much more serious.
In general, Republican politicians
appear to be relieved rather TIL
frightened by Smiths tour. I'll
attitude is that it might have been
much more costly.
T. =
or Smiths four speeches, at
" Omaha, Oklahoma City, Denver
and Helena, only the first has kept
the Hoover men up nights.
The Oklahoma speech against re-
liglouS intolerance was not consid-
cred as effective as 1t might have
been. Smith seemed on the defen-
sive. Tt was the type of speech
which usually converts friends, but
makes more enemies.
His shotgun blast against the
Republican national committee has
hardly been felt here-eXcept for
the growing Republican restiveness
over Assistant Attorney General
Mabel Walker Willebrandt's alleged
attempts to turn Methodist pulpits
into anti-Smith platforms. o.
Smiths speech at Helena reteu-
ing the story of the oil and other
scandals Of the Harding administra-
ton is not expected to have a
major campaign result because of
the unwillingnesS of voters four
years ago to use this same issue
against the Republicans.
But almost anyone will admit that
Al at Omaha made the most effect
i've speech Of the campaign so far.
lie was at his best as a speaker. He
brldged the gulf between the side
walks OF New York and the cow
paths Of the West He provoked en-
thuslasm He won votes by coming
out for the principle of the McNary-
Haugen farm relief BILL which Presi-
dent Coolidge has twice vetoed and
which Hoover opposes.
AS to how many farm votes Smith
has won, there is much disagree
ment. The prevalent Republican
view seems to be that since most
tarm leaders and politicians. Who
formerly fought for that disputed
Dill, are nevertheless staying with
Hoover, there can not be any vTst.
ern Democratic landslide. y
MOREOVER, Hoover aids in the
AVA farm States and here are busy
pointing out that Smiths advocacy
OF the McNary- Haugen bill principle
means nothing" because he re-
fuses to commit himself on the prac-
tlcal method Of application and be-
cause he is evasive regarding the
so-called equalization fee which is
the heart Of the McNary-H augen
issue.
Also man neutral observers agree
with the G. o. P. scouts who report
that large numbers of farmers in
demanding farm relief, are not in
Slstlng on McNary- Haugenism or
any other special method.
While these arguments minimize
the effect of Smiths drive for farm
votes, they do not quiet many vest
ern Republicans who want Hoover
TO make a colorful stump campaign
IN the restless grain belt on his way
home to vote.
Against this pressure are Hoover's
old-line advisers who stick by the
ancient and approved political STRAIT
egg.
when your party is out of office.
then attack; but, when you are in,
keep to your hole so the others will
have less to shoot at"
To clinch their point, they cite
the Coolidge campaign of silence
four years ago. which certainly
produced results"