The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-03-09
WATSON RETURNS HERE TO
WAGE VOTE BATTLE WITH
HOOVER ON HOME GROUND
Expects to Fight Secretary
to Last Inch for Dele
gates in State.
TWO IN INDIANA RACE
Commerce Chief Left Mat
ter of Filing in Hands
of HooSier Friends.

| Ill 1IluldildpOllS db 4lOOll IOQdy 4EOIli
his congressional duties at Wash
ington and announced that he was
ready to battle against Secretary Of
Commerce Herbert Hoover for the
Hoosier Endorsement for the presi-
dency.
He'll fight in other States too, he
added. 80 far as congressional
duties will permit" He did not say
what other States. but pointed out
the list would not include those
having favorite sons like himself.
Secure in his "favorite son boom"
until Thursday, when Hoover's
name was filed, Watson returned to
the home State today to attend the
annual banquet of Republican
editors and to face opposition In
that group and the general citizenry
throughout the State.
Accompanied by Wood
He was accompanied by Congress
man Will Wood, who is to be prin-
cipal speaker at the banquet tonight
at the Columbia Club. Wood said
that Postmaster General Harry
New is unable to attend, as he still
is i'll in Washington and able to
be about but a few hours each day.
I'm here to protect my interests
in my own home State" Watson de-
clared upon arrival at Union Sta
ton. 'I am going to make an active
campaign here and in as many other
States as my congressional duties
will permit Nowhere will enter
State that already has candidate
in the field"
The Senator has recovered fully
from his illness of some months ago
and looked to be in f1rst-class
physical condition for the campaign.
Hoover's candidacy was an
nounced formally late Thursday by
Oscar G. Foellinger, publisher Of the
Ft. Wayne Sentinel, who con-
Sented to become Hoover's Indiana
manager.
In day and a half Hooyers sup
porters in eight Indiana counties
amaSsed more than 5000 signatures
to his petition. When Foellinger re-
ported the response by telephone to
the Secretary of Commerce. Hoover
advised Foellinger to "use his own
judgment" and the declaration and
petitions were filed with the Secre-
tary of State.
Foellinger and other Hoover ad-
visers were not unnindful Of Wat
sons strength, but dared to oppose
him on the conviction that the time
is ripe "for a change Of faces in
Indiana politics.
Hesitated to Enter
Hoover's hesitancy on entering In
diana was based, 1t was understood,
on the disastrous consequences his
defeat here might have upon his
national campaign.
With only two in the Indiana
primary race, a majority obviously
is assured one of them. This will
give to the successful candidate the
united vote of Indianas thirty
three delegates to the national Re
publican convention so long as the
candidates name is before the con-
vention.
In statement, Foellinger said:
I'm accepting the management of
the Hoover campaign in Indiana, I
do so with no desire to interfere
with the ambitions of an Indiana
candidate for president, but only be-
cause, under the peculiar provisions
of the Indiana primary law, it is
clearly intended that any candidate
for President who desires considera-
ton from the delegates at any stage
of the National Convention, must
secure the Endorsement Of the peo-
pie of this State.
MY conclusion from some inquiry
in various parts of the country is
that Indiana's chance of securing
this nomination is most remote. My
inquiries within Indiana shows a
pronounced and growing sentiment
in favor of the nomination of Sec
retary Hoover.
"a poll have taken Of the va
rious Indiana Republican newSpa-
pers shows a pronounced plurality in
favor Of Mr.. Hoover. This senti-
ment can find no means Of express
sion except through the candidacy
of Secretary Hoover in the primary.
His friends will do all they can to
secure a majority in his favor. The
movement is prof. Hoover and not
anti-anybody.
Campaign to Be Friendly
"If any harm is done to party in
terests in the State during this cam
paign it will be no fault of the
friends of Secretary Hoover. They
intend to try to keep this campaign
friendly, and to leave behind no
sore spots.
"I will add that we expect to car
ry Indiana for Mr.. Hoover. We In
vite the cooperation of every Re-
publican in Indiana who believes
that presidential candidates should
be selected by the millions who go
TO make up our party, rather than
by dozen chieftains in back room
in some Kansas City hotel"
------------------