Evening star., 1928-03-25
SMITH CANDIDACY
DEFINITE
New York Governor Is Now
AvoWed Aspirant for
Party Nomination.
Special Dispatch to The star.

Special Dispatch TO The star
ALBANY. N. Y. March 24.--Gov.
Smith has at last departed from his
policy OF reticence toward national
politics and has definitely. by his own
action. set himself on record as an
avowed candidate for the Democratic
presidential nomination.
Just as definitely. and a great deal
more vigorously, the governor has
washed his hands of an attempted oil
smudge which Teapot Dome investi-
gators in Washington tried to put there.
These two facts were the outstanding
developments of week here In Albany
in which national politics took much OF
the thunder away from the State Legis-
latures adjournment Thursday the
earliest final adjournment, with one ex-
ception. in the history OF the State.
Enters Massachusetts.
AS matter of fact. the governor
during the past week took two definite
steps looking toward the presidential
nomination. One was wlen he verified
the spelling of his name on proof of a
primary ballot sheet from a Western
State.
The second step. however. was much
more definite. This was his formal ap-
proval TO the use of his name on the
Massachusetts, presidential primary bal
lot, Charles H. McGlue. State chair
man OF the neighboring Commonwealth.
wrote to the governor requesting the
approval. in accordance with the law
Of Massachusetts,.
II Is known that the governor
thought the matter over very carefully
and investigated the Massachusetts
statute minutcly He found that a cam
didate authorizing the use OF his name
on the ballot must definitely declare
himself to be candidate for the nomi-
nation. He took the bull by the horns,
fleurativeiy, and gave Chairman Nc
Glue the requested authorization. The
whole situation resulted In a step In
marked contrast TO his long maintained
attitude of hands off,"
Linked to Oil Scandal.
Much more sensational. however. was
the governors connection with the oil
scandal. Monday night, word reached
the governor that his name had been
dragged into the Teapot Dome inquiry
by Chairman Nye Of North Dakota, and
Senator Robinson of Indiana, as having
proflted by campaign contributions by
Harry F. Sinclair, He withheld COM
ment until he had had an opportunity
to read the full text Of the allegations
against him in Tuesdays papers. Then
ne gave out scathing letter to Sena-
tor Nye.
Even this letter does not convey
fully <@ .S1cnation which Gov. Smith
felt over tns SHa tier. AS a matter of
fact, there are tMOse here who do not
believe that he will let the matter
drop, regardless of anything further
that may be said from Washington.
Now that he has been dragged into the
anair. his friends are predicting that
ne Is likely to have a bombshell to
throw In the direction of washington
and more particularly at his accusers.
A result OF the situation which has
particularly pleased the governor is
the way friends whom he does not
know In other States have quickly rail-
lied TO his defense One communica-
ton which has reached him from this
source is believed likely 10 be made
che basis OF future dealing with Senator
Robinson. II the governor does decide
to take any further action.
Records Are Searched.
AT the governors request. a careful
searcn OF documents was made in the
department Of state here, where all
ceipts and expenditures are required
to be filed. Secretary OF State Moses
found no record of any contribution to
any Smith committee by Sinclair. In
1922, however. he did find a contri-
button from Sinclair OF $4,000 to the
campaign OF the Republican State COM
mittee. A contribution OF $1,000 from
Mr.. Sinclair also was found, made 10
the New York County Democratic COM
mittee in 1918
A contribution Of $3.50 from II. F..
Sinclair also was found recorded i'm
the 1925 New York County Democratic
committee statement. In view of the
smallnesS of this contribution. how
ever, IL was doubted that this was the
same Sinclair who made the other con-
tributions.
Democrats here explained that while
the New York County committee was
naturally interested In the election of
Smith, the Democratic State commit
tee was the one directly concerned In
the gubernatorial campaign. The cam
paign statements OF the governor
showed no receipts and no expendi-
lures. WILLIAM c. STOWELL.