Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-16
HOOVER SEEN SURE
+ TO CARRY INDIANA
But Democrats Expect to
Win in Governorship
Contest.
Special Dispatch to The Star.


election and based on the findings OF
observers and the private opinions of
political leaders, shows approximately
the following standing at this time
Herbert c. Hoover will carry the
State and its 26 electoral votes by q
majority of about 100000 over Alfred
E. Smith.
Frank c. Daley, Democratic nominee
for governor, will be elected over Harry
G.. Leslie, by approximately the same
majority.
Many circumstances, however, may
serve to upset these calculations before
the ballots are counted and they can
in no wise be accepted as standing
prediction of what will happen. The
Republican leaders, cognizant that
Leslie is having an uphill fight largely
through no fault of his own, are setting
about to bring him into the picture,
while the Democrats. realizing that any
Democratic presidential candidate faces
tremendous odds In this State, are con-
centrating on Gov. Smiths candidacy.
Both Sides Certain. -
That this estimate is largely true at
this time is evident from the fact that
the G. 0. P. leaders are Supremely con-
f1dent that Hoover will emerge victo-
rious, while the Democrats on the other
hand are equally certain that Daley
will be returned a winner. Each side
is playing its trump card, the Repub-
licans featuring Hoover the Democrats
Daley. The Republicans are hopeful
that HooVer'S total can be piled up to
such a height that It will pull the State
ticket through, while the Democrats are
trying TO push Dailey's vote to q point
where it will benefit Smith. J.
Each of the presidential contenders
faces obstacles in Indiana, but the
greater confrontS. Smith who is up
against a normal Republican majority
estimated at about 100000 votes. In
other words the New York governor
would have to keep all of the Democrats
in line and win in addition more than
100000 Republicans If he takes the
States electoral votes. To most OBJ
servers that appears to be doubtful of
accomplishment.
But the personalities and records of
Smith and Hoover are cutting across
partisan lines in fashion that is
battling to the seasoned observer. It
often is remarked that the situation is
so uncertain that it is doubtful if the
ordinary precinct committeeman will
know where he stands until the votes
finally are counted. ~
In the first place only about half of
the voting Republicans of Indiana de-
sired Hoover as the G. O. P. standard
bearer, That was shown when they
gave Senator James E. Watson, resard-
ed by many as a stalking horse for
Vice President Dawes or Frank o.
Lowden, a majority, Of $4,000 over
Hoover in the primary. There is an
other angle to that vote, however. and
that is that whereas Watson had the
IF cy,la lyy
trained organization, Hoover's vote
was rolled up without the aid of ma
chine. In fact, his vote was largely
the outpouring Of Republicans who
were anxious to change the States
political picture.
Primary Leaves Sears.
That the primary, because of the Bit
ter way in which it was conducted and
the harsh things that were said, left
scars is patent Senator Watson him.
self, however, has gone long way to.
disSipate that feeling by taking to the
stump and urging his organization to
throw all it's weight behind Hoover.
OstenSibly the Watson-dominated State |
committee and the separate Hoover |
organization are working hand-in-hand |
for the success of the entire ticket.
Hoover's greatest liability is the farm |
discomfort. Normally the farmers of |
Indiana are about so per cent Repub- |
lican, but for four years they have |
clamored for Congressional relief, only |
to have it thrown aside by President |
Coolidge's veto. They vigorously op.
posed Hoover's nomination because they
had been told he was responsible for
the presidential veto. and they were
largely responsible for rolling up Wat
nf rH
rallying to Hoover, while others are fol-
lowing the Indiana Federation of Farm
Bureaus and the Independent Equality
of Agriculture League in continuing
their opposition to the G.. o. P. nominee.
Republican leaders believe they can
overcome much of the antagoniSm
among the farmers in the next two
months, and they feel certain that
what Republicans they lose will be more
than counterbalanced by Democrats
who will refuse to support Smith on
religious or prohibition grounds. Then,
too, they are counting on the farm
women, whom they contend are dry,
to vote for Hoover regardless OF parti-
san ties.
Smith Gains in Cities.
Smiths greatest asset lies in the
larger cities, where the liberal strength
expect the New York governor to roll
up heavy vote in Fort Wayne, South
SeIi>., Lake County, Terre Haute,
Evansville and Indianapolis, most Of
which have been Republican strong
holds. They believe that Smith, due to
the farm revolt, will break even in the
rural sections and will cut into The
cities sufficiently enough to come out
victorious. The Republicans, many OF
whom admit this danger, say Hoover
will win the election by the votes from
. the rural towns, which are dry and
have not been carried away by the
agricultural discomfort.
There is little doubt that If it were
not for the farm upheaval Hoover's VIC
tory in Indiana would be foregone
conclusion. The State unquestionably
is preponderantly dry, and hence would
not be inclined to follow Smiths propo-
sition. This has been shown time after
time. It also is strongly Protestant, a fact
made certain when it SO eagerly en-
braced the Ku Klux Khan. Yet these
admitted facts are open to question.
The Indiana Anti-Saloon League, which
was responsible for sending the State
into the dry column, has lost much OF
its campaign power, due to the ham
mering administered to E. S. Shu-
maker, superintendent of the league.
The Khan has been broken as political
unit such as 1t was when 1t eiected &c
Jackson governor, and there is mani
fest revolt on among many who are
openly protesting against intolerance.
AS evidence that things are not what
they were are the presence of several
former Klan leaders who are telling
around that they are going to support
Smith G.. FEI(THINEH,