Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-12
NEBRASKA IS TORN
BY ELECTION VIEWS
Both Parties Claim Advan.
tage as Every Political
Issue Is Fought.
BY BYRON PRICE.
Associated Press stan Writer.


Associated Press stan Writer
OMAHA. Nebr.. October l2.-Favored
by the lavish attentions of both of the
great parties, Nebraska has achieved
a magnitude in the presidential CAM
paign out Of all proportion to the eight
votes allotted her in the electrical
college
The many factors which contributed
TO this sudden rise to political stardom
have produced in October a situation
as varied and colorful as an Indian
Summer landscape. Both parties still
claim the advantage, and the Repub-
lican leaders add a positive assurance
that Gov. Smiths popularity passed its
crest with his visit here three weeks
ago and that the swing now is Oily
toward Hoover. This the Democrats
do not conceed: they cling to their
predictions that Smith will take the
State from It's accustomed place in the
ranks of republicanism.
No Issue Overlooked.
The struggle for Nebraskas favor has
been all inclusive Almost every issue
in the whole campaign budget of 1928
has been invoked by one party or the
other The Spellbinders have run the
scale of farm relief, prohibition, reli-
L
vers wartime record, immigration,
water power and the tariff. Appear
anceS might easily lead to the con-
cluSion that the parties had sought to
try test case before the voters OF this
one State.
Being farm State. Nebraska took
the farm relief Issue to her heart In
the first aftermath of the national con-
ventionS and for time there was no
l. I.ss<l- n~t
this way by the Hoover managers. But
being also DRY State. by all available
tests, the home hearth of the late VIII
liam Jennings Bryan began to rever-
berate once again with debate over
prohibition The religious issue took
root. in many communities, city and
country, but has been most talked of
in its relation to the German vote, esti-
mated by some as comprising one-tl1ird
of the entira electorate of the State
and including in It's ranks many Ger
man Luth1fars.
Senator Norris Is Thorn.
Another speculative factor has been
the attitude of Senator George Norris.
z Republican whose independence has
been more than once a thorn in the
side of the national organization of his
party. Norris is looked upon as leader
among the progressive" element, which
four years ago gave ia Toilette 100000
votes while Coolidge was polling $4,000
and Davis $4,000. The Senator has
said some complimentary things about
Smiths Western speeches, but any
Democratic hope that he would directly
Declare for Smiths candidacy remains
unfulhlled. Meantime, he is support
ing Senator Howell for reelection, and
Howell is supporting Hoover.
Nor is the progressive element alone
In this respect. Nearly every group
within the State Is receiving two xmas
of advice this year, not from outsiders,
but from within the group itself.
Divided Support.
For instance, the farmer. While the
Agriculture League of Nebraska was set
ting up here IN Omaha to campaign Ior
Smith and such national farm leaders
as Frank Murphy of Minnesota and
George Peek of Illinois we're asking for
the defeat of Hoover. other conspicuous
figures in the Western farm coterie were
rallying to Hoo er's support. They in
clude former Gov. Samuel r. McKelvie,
publisher of the Nebraskar Former, who
opposed the McNary-1aug bill, and
Mark Woods, who favored it. Gov
Adam Mcdullin. also an advocate Of the
equalization fee. has come out for
Hoover and is expected by some of his
friends to take the stump.
Likewise. the Democratic drys.
Brother Charlie" Bryan, again a cen.
didate for governor Is out for Smith,
while other Democrats. including DR..
Jennie Callfas, until recently Demo-
cratic committeeman for Nebraska,
have organized for Hoover.
The Nebraska Federation of Labor has
Endorsed Smith, but Senator Howell,
supporting Hoover has had many fol-
lowers in organized labor A Smith In
ciorsement was voted recently by leaders
of the State Federation of German
American Societies, but 1t is conceded
that Hoover will have the support of
contingent of the German Lutherans.
Even the colored element in Omaha is
exhorted by colored Spellbinders to vote
Democratic and to vote Republican.
Germans Catered To.
Both sides are giving much attention
TO the trend of opinion among the Ger
mans and the literature distributed BIZ
campaign agencies contains many refer
ences to the interests of those of Ger
man lineage. A leaf1et put out by the
Agricultural League of Nebraska quotes
minister of the Norwegian Lutheran
for Smith. One of the pamphlets dis.
tributed by the Republicans is entitled.
How Hoover Saved Germany and Cen
trail Europe From Starvation" 1t re-
counts that on the day after the armis-
tice in 1918, while Mr.. Hoover was food
administrator he began to purchase
food for Germany 1t also declares
Germany would be among the heaviest
sufferers If the national origins clause
Of the immigration Law. which Mr..
Hoover disapprovcs should become
operative.
Political leaders expect this years
vote to show an increase In Nebraska
above the countrywide average. Reg
lstration has been very heavy, particu-
larly among the women. In the past
the German women have not gone to
The polls in very great numbers. either
In Omaha or in the smaller cities and
country districts. This time there are
indications that they will do so. and
their voice may be an important factor
In solving the riddle Of November 6.