Evening star., 1928-04-08

Illinois ana Nebraska holu the
political spotlight during the coming
week. On Tuesday the primaries,
at which the choice OF the voters
for their presidential candidates will
be expressed, are to be held in those
two States. The only name entered
fer the Republican presidential NOM
ination is that of Frank o. Lowden,
former governor. No one has en-
tered the preference primary for
the Democratic nomination. But
this means little. The delegation
will be almost solidly for Gov.
Alfred E. Smith of New York. Mr..
Lowden is to have the great bulk
of the delegation to the Republican
national committee, notwithStand-
ing the efforts of his old enemy,
Mayor Big Bill" Thompson of Chi
cago. Thompson is seeking to
elect draft Coolidge" delegates in
the 10 districts located in Cook
County. He may lose in two OF
them.
Chief interest centers, however,
in the fight in Illinois between the
reform forces. marShaled under the
banner of Senator Deneen and al
lied with Mr.. Lowden, and the
Small Thompson Smith Grove
alignment, The reform forces are
out to prevent the reelection of
Gov. Small, the States attorney.
Grove, and to crop the comb of
Big Bill" Thompson. They are out.
too, to prevent the nomination OF
Frank l.. Smith to the Senate. from
which he has been once ousted.
Reports from The Stars special
political correspondent indicate that
the fight is to be one of the hot
test in years.
In Nebraska, Senator Norris, who
is the favorite son candidate for the
Republican presidential nomina-
ton, is campaigning over the State
for the denomination of Senator
Howell. a progressive Republican and
his colleague. Senator Howell is
opposed by the attorney general. o.
S. Spillman. It is a contest be-
tween the regular Republicans and
the more progressive group, headed
by Norris and Howell AS the Sena-
torial fight goes. so, probably, will
go the fight for Norris delega-
ton. In the past Senator Norris
has been able to win with great
regularity.
The Democrats in Nebraska are
backing a favorite son for the Dem
ocratic presidential nomination,
former Senator Gilbert N. Hitch
cock, and he Is expected to have
the delegation without difficulty.
The Democrats are pretty we'll to-
gether in the State.
- = ~
The Smith candidacy for the
Democratic presidential nomination
has continued to gain ground stead
lily during the last week, the reports
to The Star show. The victory of
the Governor of New York in the
Wisconsin primary was impressive.
He obtained a larger vote than any
Democrat over a long period OF
years. Should he win the Demo-
cratic nomination, he may be a real
contender for the electoral vote OF
the State, particularly II his op-
ponent be Herbert Hoover, who is
opposed by many of the farmers
and by some of the German -Ameri-
cans, numerous in Wisconsin.
Smith defeated Senator Walsh of
Montana impresSively in the con-
test for the delegates at large.
The Wisconsin primary demon
strated the continuance OF the per-
sonal popularity OF Senator Robert
Nj. La Toilette. jr. The Senator led
by many thousands all other con-
testants for delegate at large to the
Republican national convention.
This is taken as indicating his re-
nomination and reelection TO the
Senate next Fall. But the stall
warts" made better showing
against the La Toilette Progressives
in the primary than they have made
since 1915 They will have good
showing in the Republican delega-
tinn to the national convention. The
La Toilette Progressives are pledged
to Norris. but the delegates chosen
by the stalwarts are reported to be
unpledged.
\ y
The Michigan primary last Nom
day ran true TO form. with the cleo
ton of a solid Hoover delegation
on the one hand and solid Smith
delegation on the other. Reports
from Albany declare that when the
Democratic State committee meets