Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-05
u.s. Smith and Hoover u.s. Willis Are Political High Lights of the Week
THE WEEK IN POLITICS
Summary of National Developments Based on Reports
From The Stars Special Correspondents
and Staff Writer'S

seemed to be few weeks ago. Ohio
Republicans are awaiting a decision
by Mr.. Hoover as to whether he will
enter the primaries in that State as
an opponent OF Senator Willis, and
1t is recognized that the decision,
from Hoover standpoint, is mo-
mentous one.
IL Hoover could carry the State
against Willis and capture major
ity OF the delegates 1t would boost
his candidacy pretty close to band.
wagon position and hcsitant politi-
clans would begin to climb aboard.
If, on the other hand. he should be
decisively beaten in Ohio it certain
~ would give his candidacy black
eye and might we'll prove an almost
fatal setback There undeniably Is
large volume of Hoover sentiment
in Ohio and his followers are in re-
volt at the notion that they may
have no opportunity to voice their
preference at the primaries But
unless Hoover enters, Willis will have
the Ohio delegation without contest.
with the strong probability that
most of the Willis delegates will
favor Dawes As their second choice.
A climax in the Ohio situation was
reached Friday when former Sem
ator Burton issued a statement
here in which he said that the atti-
tude Of Senator Willis was depriving
Ohio Republicans of all opportunity
to make their wishes known, and in
effect urging Hoover men in Ohio to
insist that the Commerce Secretary
enter the primaries
The Ohio decision must be made
within the next few days. and II
Hoover consents to entering the pri-
maries there the entire complexion
Of the Republican campaign will i'm
mediately be changed. 1t will bring
the Secretary of Commerce out in
the open as a candidate and will be
accepted as Go" signal by his
followers.
In any event, Mr.. Hoover cannot
remain much longer in the position
OF a merely receptive candidate.
Other primaries are coming on in
which he is expected TO have easy
victories. and he could not afford 10
let these go by default through re-
fusal to sanction use of his name
Maryland Is one OF the primary
States regarded as highly important.
from the standpoint of Mr.. Hoover's
fortunes. So many of the State
leaders have declared for him that
1t has been regarded as a foregone
conclusion that he would have the
solid Maryland delegation. But 1t is
reported now that efforts are being
made 10 organize the State for
Lowden. with some chance that the
Hoover slate may be broken.
News comes now that HooYer's
friends plan to enter him in the
wisconsin primaries. territory which
has been regarded as hopelesslv hos
tile, The La Toilette Republicans
in Wisconsin are committed to the
candidacy of Senator Norris OF Ne
braska, but so many Of them are
friendly 10 Lowden that Lowdens
managers have been reluctant 10 en-
ter a ticket in opposition. This left
the anti-La Toilette Republicans
with no place to GO so they are
planning to rally around slate OF
Hoover delegates.
II Hoover Is thus to enter enemy
territory his rivals seem no less will
ing TO invade States which have
been regarded as already In the
Hoover bag. New Jersey is one OF
them. Most OF the influential State
leaders have declared for Hoover.
but 1t nov is reported that Dawes.
Lowden and Curtis all may be en-
tered in the scramble for Jersey
delegates From Colorado comes the
announcement that Lowdens man
ayers are planning TO enter their
candidate. which may upset the
Colorado expectation Of solid
Hoover delegation.
Interest was aroused in Iowa by
the prediction of John r Adams.
former Republican national chair
man. that Hoover would be nomi-
mated on the first ballot and that he
would have at least half OF the Iowa
delegates Iowa has been regarded
as safe Lowden territory. but it is
admitted that Hoover will be second
choice OF many of the delegates who
teresting interview was that given
out by Victor Rosewater in which
he said that Hoover was strong
throughout the Middle West. and
particularly In Nebraska. the home
State of Senator Norris
Always In politics there somewhere
Is queer note. This time II comes
from Alabama Dawes is said 10 be
the choice OF the regular Republican
organization. II Coolidge cannot be
drafted. while the outs" or opposi-
ton is rallying 10 Hoover. This is
putting the reverse English on what
had been expected from the South,
fCopytight. 1925 ny Thr Washington star