Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-24
HARD FIGHT AHEAD
IN FAIRFAX COUNTY
Result as Between Smith
and Hoover Seems to Be
Very Much in Doubt.
Continued From First Page

Continued From First Page)
Smith Democrats began the campaign
in advance Of the organization Of the
regular Democratic campaign. During
that period the county was saturated
with propaganda against Smith, mainly
attacking him on account Of his re-
Iigious faith. Much of the literature
thus put In circulation. in my opinion,
was unworthy of the campaign for the
| highest office In the Nation.
| '"There is no question that the cir
culation of this literature did great
deal of harm to the Democratic cause.
The regular Democratic campaign was
organized about the middle of Sep
TENDER, and since that time literature
has been circulated to meet the charges
| and set forth the claims Of Democracy.
We have had an active speaking cam
paign, the outstanding feature OF which
| has been speeches by Representative II.
Walton Moore, who, though a dry
Democrat, has vigorously presented the
claims which Smith has for the Suf-
frage of the American people.
"Since the Democratic campaign has
been under way the drift has been to-
ward Smith, and it is confidently be-
lieved the county will land In the
| Democratic column. Many voters who
were inclined against Smith are now
Loyalty backing the Democratic ticket. y
Hint Of Bitterness.
That is the regular Democratic side
of the story. 1t contains a hint of the
bitterness that has been engendered in
the campaign, evidences of which are
noticeable everywhere one goes. Such
a campaign as this cannot be renem-
bered by residents of the county.
M. E Church of Falls Church, who
does not now hold an official position
with the Republican organization, but
| who is a veteran political leader of
| the Fairfax County Republicans, talked
| frankly about the situation from their
viewpoint.
1.-THE Republican hope Of carrying the
| county," said Mr.. Church, sis based
! upon the activities of the Hoover DEM
ocrats. Regular Democrats are NOR
ally bound to support the presidential
| nominee Of their party, on account of
the State primary law, which is being
| used like whip over them. My own
] impression in the beginning was that
I it was hopeless to try to carry the
| county for Hoover, but I have changed
my opinion. believe a majority of
the voters today, in actual sentiment,
favor Hoover.
THE Republican organization in the
| county has not taken a very active
part. It's members feel that it is bet
ter policy not to be too aggressive. We
have felt that by such policy we will get
more Democratic votes for Hoover.
| I am informed that efforts are be-
ing made by the Democratic organiza-
ton in the counties of Fairfax and
Arlington to control the colored voters
to ALLEVIATE them from the Republican
| party by some means.
There Is a good chance for the
| Republicans to carry this county, &C.
| cording to my sincere belief, based upon
| information from many sources, There
| Is no personal feeling in the campaign
| so Tar as know. I think the election
hinges entirely on the prohibition ques-
| ton, although, Of course, / am aware
OF the widespread talk about religion
To me it is significant that many
Democrats are keeping silent as to the
way they intend to vote. I expect that
| many of them will not vote at all
1
many others among this silent element
are leaning toward Hoover Most OF
| these Democrats are known prohibi-
tionists."
| Anti-Smith Statement.
The anti-Smith Democrats of Fair
fax County, upon whom Mr.. Church
frankly says the Republicans are count
| ing to carry the county for Hoover, are
headed by Frank Lyon of Mclean
lawyer, real estate operator and politi-
, cal leader OF long experience and much
: activity.
! AS chairman of the anti-Smith Dem.
!, ocratic committee Mr.. Lyon told The
| Star that he assumed there never was
an election as full of uncertainty as the
| present one"
However" continued Mr. Lyon, al
is fact that in the history Of Fair
fax County for so years past there
never has been any uncertainty in a
national election until this year, 1928
Like myself, there are thousands Of
voters who have cast their ballots fol
the Democratic party for more than q
generation, who do not hesitate this
year publicly to proclaim that they will
vote for Mr.. Hoover, while supporting al
Democrats other than Gov. Smith.
TO me the situation is revolutionary
DO not speak from having made an
individual canvass of the voters and
naturally I come in contact with those
favoring the defeat of Gov. Smith
Notwithstanding this, have come ir
contact with numerous supporters o,
Gov. Smith-at least they proclaim
themselves followers in public-anc
many of them, when not speaking fol
publication, admit that revolution Ii
1 a VA@ hot
down to defeat in November.
I'm my own opinion Fairfax County
will go for Hoover by large majority
but this prediction Is, as before stated
not based on an individual canvass by
me, but upon the attitude of the thou
sands OF men and women have adj
dressed in the last month in Fairfax
County and from the general talk of
those with whom come in contact.
| Report of Canvass.
II have learned that there has been
a detailed canvass made of 4,01O voters
IN Fairfax County. Remembering that
in the primary of 1927 there were only
a few more than 1900 votes cast, it will
be understood that the canvass of over
1000 covers those who usually remain
away from the polls as well as those
who, always vote. This canvass shows
2.161 votes for Hoover and o33 for
Smith, with 1.724 not classified. Those
who have been classified are arrived AT
by direct or indirect contact with each
voter and the figures may be accepted
as substantially the actual situation.
1.-THE 1,724 not classified may be
counted on the doubtful list and there
is uncertainty as to how they stand.
But those making this canvass have no
reason to feel that the 1924 votes will
not be divided in about the same pro-
portion as those whose attitude has