The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-03-15
HOOVER LEADER
TAKES FIGHT TO
WATSON CAMP
Invades Enemy Stronghold,
Offering Opportunity
for Indiana

Sponsors of Herbert Hoover's
presidential campaign in Indiana
today knocked loudly on the very
doors of Senator James E. Watson's
stronghold-the Republican State
organization.
Thirteen Republican district
chairmen who recently Endorsed
Watson's candidacy unanimously,
found in their mail boxes a letter
from Hoover'S State manager, Oscar
G. Foellinger of Fit. Wayne, declar-
ing the selection of a President
tranScends State fractional politics
and placing Hoover before them as
more than a candidate-an oppor-
tunity for Indiana"
Shows Campaign VigOr
Others to receive the letter in
Guided district vice-chairman, coun-
ty chairmen and vice chairmen, dis
trict and county secretaries, Repub-
lican members of the Legislature
and those aspiring to that assembly
and Indiana Republican Congress
men.
The daring of Foellinger's latest
move was regarded as evidence of
the vigor with which Hoover's cam
paign for Indiana's presidential
preference will be waged.
Political observers are agreed that
the Republican State organization
affords one of the biggest obstacles
to Hoovers candidacy in Indiana.
Regardless of personal sentiments,
the rank and file of organization
Republicans display a hesitancy of
being caught off the Watson organ
ization band wagon, say politicians.
Bears Acid Test
Foellinger, in his letter, reminded
organization members that as pub
Usher of the Republican FIT. Wayne
News Sentinal, he has been "a
stanch supporter of Republican
principles" l
my support of Mr.. Hoover" he
told them, whose candidacy is ma
tional in scope. is born of the con-
viction that it best serves the party
I have also been a supporter of
Senator Watson, but I do not feel
that there is any inconsistency in
my present attitude. The Ameri-
canism and Republicanism of Mr..
Hoover received the acid test, when
all the United States Senators twice
voted the confirmation of his ap-
pointment as Secretary of Com
merce by Harding and Coolidge.
Mr.. Hoover is in no sense a can
didate of any group in Indiana or
elsewhere" Foellinger continued.
He is an active candidate in prac-
tically every State in the Union, and
has the support of thousands Of the
rank and file in Indiana and
throughout the Nation.
Rank and File for Hoover
"That in the past there may have
been Roosevelt, Beverldge, Good
rich, Watson, New factions cannot
be blamed on Mr.. Hoover. He seeks
the support of the high and hum
bic, controlled by no group, but
wholly responsive to the rank and
file of the party"
Foellinger took a rap at the GA
vorite son idea" which has been a
much-used argument by Watson
supporters who opposed Hoover's
entry in Indiana. and declared it
is not orthodox political gospel"
mo blame" he said, attached to
Mr.. Coolidge when he entered the
California primaries in 1924 and
carried the State against Hiram
Johnson, a favorite son. No harm
was done in Indiana when Wood,
Lowden, Harding and Johnson COM
peted in 1920. Then Wood received
85,776 votes; Harding, 20,819.
Makes Appeal to All
There were no presidential fac
tons after that primary. All pitched
in and helped Harding roll up the
biggest vote that any President ever
received in Indiana up to that time.
"It is my purpose" Foellinger con-
Guided, with the sincere cooperation
of the regular Republican organiza-
ton. from the State chairman down
to the precinct worker, so to con-
duct the campaign that when the
primary is over the party will be in
even a better position to support the
successful national, State and coun-
ty nominees,
81 feel, and you may as we go
along, that Hoover is more than
candidate, that he is an opportunity
for Indiana"
FoeIIlger asked expressions of
the sentiment in the constituencies
represented by those receiving the
letter, assuring them of his deep
interest in party success and
harmony"