The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-10-08
KEEPING UP
With
THE NE WIS
BY LUDWELL DENNY

through Jne Democratic guberna-
torial candidacy of the popular
Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Unless there is an unexpected fall
in farm prices it does not appear
from present reports that Smith
can cut into the electoral vote of
the grain belt enough to embarass
Hoover. The exception is Wiscon-
sin.
There are other doubtful western
States, such as Minnesota, the Da-
kotaS and Missouri. But Hoover's
chances Of losing them seems to be
less than his chance of taking away
from Smith certain border or south
ern States.
The major campaign factor, be-
meath all the heated debate oven
more controversial subjects, con.
tinues to be improved business COM
ditions in the country as q whole.
which operate to keep the usual
Republican majority from "risking
a change"
Correspondents who have trav-
eled with both candidates think
Hoover'S speech at Elizabethton.
Tenn, Saturday the most effective
ne has made. The correspondent
OF one Of the most influential and
militant pro-Smith newspapers in
New York, after touring the West
With Al, wrote from Elizabethton.
Herbert Hoovers invasion of the
South resulted in as fine a demon
stration as the campaign has vet
developed"
HOOVER'S statement to Scripps-
H Howard newspapers, favoring
government retention of Muscle
Shoals, is expected to help him in
tennessee, in other border states.
and indeed in most states of the
country where water power and
electric rates are local issues.
straw votes and press polls con-
tlnue to show the Republican cam
dldate leading by two to one, or bv
large majority. Betting in Wall
Street favors him at odds ranging
from three to one to four to one.
Even money is offered that he will
get 300 electoral votes, which is "a
more than necessary for election.
This rather general certainty of
HooVer'S election with a comfortable
leeway, may seem surprising in view
OF his opponents undoubted gains
during the last week in New York
and Wisconsin, which have a total
electoral vote of So.
Republicans do not DENY that
Smiths choice of Franklin D. Roose-
velt as New York candidate for
governor greatly increases his
chances of carrying his home state
and therefore is one of the few
major campaign developments so
lar, as an indication of Roosevelt's
pulling power two New York papers
supporting Hoover have come out for
him.
NEW YORK republicans hone To
L Y offset Roosevelt's strength. at
least IN part, by their stronger
senatorial candidate, Alanson b
Houghton, ambassador to London
and by the State speaking tour of
Charles Evans Hughes. former
United States Secretary of State
and former Governor.
wisconsin developments favor
smith, because his wet views are
popular in such cities as Milwaukee.
and because some of the progressive
leaders are reported ready to throw
as much as possible of the dominant
La Toilette vote to Al. From
mowers point of view this bad sit
uation has been made worse by the
National Republican Committees
recognition of the anti-La Toilette
local committeeman, and by threat
OF the Democratic senatorial can
dldate to withdraw in favor of
Senator La Toilette.
The reason these Smith develop-
mentS have not changed the ma
tional betting in his favor is that
even yet he is not assured of carry
ing New York and Wisconsin, and
that even those fifty-eight electoral
votes would not put him within
hailing distance of the presidency
unless he also carried a dozen other
doubtful States.
NEUTRAL observers grant that
L Y Smith conceivably might over
turn all the dope" of the advance
polls and carry half or most of the
doubtful States. But they can not
believe he will capture all the
doubtful States, which is practically
what he would have to do to win
For the sake of argument. rule
out Hoover'S chance of picking uS
one or more Southern States, and
grant Smith those solid ia cleo
toral votes. Then give Smith all
the large Eastern Seaboard doubt
full States. including New YORK.
New Jersey, Massachusetts, throw
in Rhode Island, Maryland, Della
ware, and Republican Connecticut.
Finally give him the two most
doubtful important Western States
Wisconsin and Missouri. Smiths
total then would be only 255
And that improbable total still i4
eleven short of victory, requiring
three or four more Of the smaller
Western States to push him over.
In short, nothing less than a
landslide will elect Smith. Allow
ing for near miracles in the montl.
to go, today there are no apparent
signs of such a coming landslide.