Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-16
BOTH SIDES CLAIM
KEYSTONE GAINS
But Observers Believe Only
Issue Is Size of Republic
can Majority.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

HARRISBURG, Pa, September 49,
Leaders of both parties are claiming the
rising tide of sentiment here is in favor
of their presidential candidates and In
each party are prominent perSonages
ready to admit they believe the claims
of the other party are nearly correct
The accepted opinion, however, is that
the only question regarding the presi-
dental election is how much the usual
Republican majority will be reduced.
Democratic State Chairman Collins,
reiterating a claim that Smith Will
carry the State by 100000, this week
added Part of that majority is going
to be furnished by Philadelphia. It
was the first announcement that the
Democrats cherish hope of reversing
the Quarter-million majorities OF that
city. Analyses of registrations In Phil
adelphia do not seem to encourage that
hope.
The Democrats, however, are work.
ing like beavers and their energy and
enthusiasm astounds the State, which
has been accustomed to Jest at Demo-
cratic efforts. The enthusiasm, how
ever, has not removed friction spots.
Rival headquarters are conducting
the campaign for Smith in Philadelphia,
with refusal of County Commissioner
John O'Donnell to retire as city chair
man at Collins demand; and the split
Is expected to diminish the Smith vote
there. An anti = Smith Democratic
chairman in Lawrence County has re-
fused to obey Collins demand to re-
sign, and with backing of some of his
committeeman has made the counter
demand that efforts to "Tammanyize
Lawrence County politics" STOP
Smith lost all chance of support of
organized labor as a unit at the polls
when the Labor party, originally an off
shoot of the Pennsylvania Federation of
Labor, Endorsed the ticket of William
2. Foster for President and Benjamin
Gitlow for Vice President: but that in
dorsement has split the Labor party
with the more conservative clement re-
fusing to abide by the decision.
The Republican State organization,
convinced that the State is safe for
Hoover, and that the main fight must
be directed toward efforts to elect a
solidly Republican delegation to Con-
gresS, has used unusual care in COM
plotting its campaign organization. 1t
was not until this week that the ex-
ecutiye and finance committee, which
will bear the brunt of the campaign,
was named. The organization is PLAN
ming to concentrate its efforts into q
whirlwind campaign In all sections dur
Ing October, with special attention to
the big cities and the coal counties.
The $4,000 Republican majority in
Maine, the organization leaders be-
neve, indicates what may be expected
Of the silent voter and stay-at-home
Democrats in dry rural counties here.
Republican women have been most
active. On Tuesday 181 local organi-
cations throughout the State celebrated
Hoover day with rallies and selection
OF campaign committees to get out the
vote. The effect of the women's activi-
ties has been shown in the largely in
creased registration of women. The
increase Is Statewide, and registry
boards report many of the additional
woman regiStrants are women who
never voted before. The registrations
of both men and women have been
setting new records throughout tn,
State. Although Democrats have been
making drive for womenS votes also,
It Is generally regarded here that addi-
tional women'S votes will be additional
Hoover votes.
The early registrations in Philadel-
phia appear to be significant. In the
Independent wards registrations of
women have doubled or trebled In ii
of the 20 river wards the registration
Is lower than last year, with a marked
decline in number of women regis
tering. The river wards, while most
strongly controlled when the Ware or
ganization strains a point to get votes,
are also the wettest wards of the city
and the ones in which the large for
eign and Catholic vote made Smith
strength likely this year. Contrary to
other years. slump in registration thus
far In the machine wards" Is believed
to mean less likelihood of votes against
the Republican ticket this year.
WALTER D. ROOS.