Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-07

) the presidential campaign
n enters its final and most
n hectic month a. degree OF
I bitterness has been reached.
chiefly over the religious and
linuor issues, that Is without prece-
dent in any recent national CAM
pairn, according to the latest dis
patches received by The star from
its staff correspondents and special
political writer's in every state IN.
the Union. - a., <
For the most part the presidential
and vice presidential candidates have
refraine6 from taking part in per-
sofAl attacks and acrimonious inter-
changes on these qucxtions, but even,
they at times. during the last few
days, have been drawn into the de-
bate either on the offensive or, de-
fensive. '''~
Gov. Smith is back. home from his
long western tour and Is resting
before setting forth upon another
foray into debatable territory Mr..
Hoover's revised plans call for
platform speech once a week. from
now until the end of the contest on
election day. November s. His first
speech of this series was delivered
Yesterday at Efjzabethtor1, Tenn.
Everywhere there Is discussion Of
the effect of Smiths western trip.
Opinions differ widely as to It's net
result. Reports from the States he
visited indicate that the Democrats
there have been stimulated To put
forth greater efforts to win, but 1t
appears that the Republicans have
been likewise aroused to fight back
with more determination than ever.
The national Democratic managers
are represented as being thoroughly
satisfied with the results of the tour,
while the Republican managers m
sfst that. It has not changed the
situation for the worse, from their
viewpoint. 2.
The practical Democratic poll
ticiafis close to Smith, when not
taking for campaign purposes, are
reported to agree upon the following
set Of facts: TO win Smith. must
first hold the Democratic solid"
South; with its ia electoral votes.
Then he must add ssven doubtful
Eastern States--New York, New Jer-
sey, Connecticut, Massachusetts,,
Rhode Island, Delaware and Mary
lsnd-wfich would give him another
100 votes. From these two groups
he could receive 2t4 electoral votes,
or So less than the necessary 1885,
Some Democratic leaders privately
do not claim Oklahoma, but If
Smith carried the border States of
Missouri. Kentucky and Tennessee,
he would add 43 more votes, making
his total 257, and he would still be
nine votes short OF election 10 the
presidency. . These nine votes he
must pick up. according to this
method OF calculation, west of the
Mississippi River, and his managers
think he can do that They hope to
carry all or some Of the following
States: Wisconsin, Minnesota, North
Dakota, Montana, Colorado. Me-
braska and Nevada.
But it is admitted by, many prac-
teal Democrats. that Smith lis not
sure, of any State outside OF the
solid South. and perhaps one or
two others. They see the difficulty
presented to them in the foregoing
calculation, but they are very hope
full. 1.
Republican, managers seem willing
to concede that the problem, as here
stated, is approximately correct, but
they are confident that the Demo-
Gratis cannot solve It, They say
Hoover will carry enough Of the
Eastern, border and doubtful West
'eril States tor upset the fondeSt hopes
of the Democrats. Nevertheless,
they are frankly alarmed about con-
tiitions in some Of these States and
are increasing. their efforts there.
.-;-:,,.. . x.* Z *
4: The battle for the debatable ground
ia New England has become more
lively since President Coolidge sent
his message to, the Republican State
convention, OF Massachusetts, ap-
pealina for support for the Repub-
lican national and state tickets:
Democrats are as hopeful as ever of
carrying the Bay State and Rhode
Island, where the Republicans have
Just nominated senatorial candi-
date. after a bitter. factional fight.
Cornecticut's small town, elections
are reported to have given the.
Democrats more satisfaction than
the Republicans.
Both parties are organizing squad
rons in New Hampshire. Maine is