Evening star., 1928-05-06
popular strength. particularly In State
where the organization has been dead
set against him.
WATSON SEEN WINNER.
But Observers Feel Heavy Vote will
Hurt His Cause.
nv HARNIN {. FFIGHTNEK.
MAIN DisnnInh II The liar-.

ny HAROLD &. FElGHTNER.
Special Dispatch to The star
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. May AL
though sudden wave in behalf of
Herbert Hoover has sprung up in In
diana on the eve of next Tuesdays pri-
mary. most political observers are
agreed that Senator James E. Watson,
the States favorite-son offering for the
G. O. r. presidential nomination. will
win the verdict 1t Is manifest. how
ever. that the Senator's majority will
not be one to shout about and there
are some who believe that Hoover will
win out by slight vote.
II seems to most. observers, however.
II there Is a light vote Watson will
triumph because he has the backing of
the Republican machinery. but If there
Is an outpouring of voters, such AS
there was in Illinois. Hoover will win.
Weather to BE Factor.
Few indications are found. however.
that there will be any more than the
normal primary turnout of approx
imately 100000 Republicans. An i'm
portant factor will be the weather. for
y.
are opposed to HooverS candidacy, will
remain in the fields thus cutting down
Watsons vote, but II 1t is rainy they
are expected to register a large pro-
test vote against the Secretary because
MS views on agricultural questions do
not coincide with those of the organ
lied farmers
The wave of Hoover sentiment, start
ing in the northern industrial counties
and spreading to Indianapolis. has
taken the Watson managers BY surprise
ana as the primary draws near thev
are on the verge Of a panic. The
Hoo"sr managers are elated at the turn
but they are bv no mems confident that
me drift will be great enough to swing
the State
Rival Claims.
There Is a manifest lack Of CONF
dence in each headquarters althoucb
ouollcly the Watson people are claim
ing the State by 100000 ma ioritv and
tne Hoover camp by $4,000.
according to most estimates Hoover
VIII carry the seventh district which
IS dominated by Indianapolis: the thir-
Leentn district, which includes the
neaVlly populated cities OF South BEND
ElKnart Laporte and Goshen. and the
tW~Ith district, which includes Fort
wayne. the home of Oscar Foellincer
tne Sesretary's State campaign man.
ager. In addition the Secretary is ex-
pecteo 10 carry Richmond, which is
iarseIy peop!ed by QuaSers: Muncie, the
nome nome OF George b. Lockwood. one of
hooVer national managers and Hunt
ington. the home of e, M Wasmutb
formerly Republican chairman who is
working in the interests of Hoover,
Hoover Campaign Pushed.
Although they failed TO place a work
aoie organization In the field. as con-
trasted TO the almost perfect machine
tnat Is out for Watson. the Hoover
people have launched an intensive and
telling publicity campaign this week
They attacked Senator Watson and
charged that all the ills the Republican
party In Indiana has suffered. such AS
the Indictment of Gov. Ed Jackson and
other exposures. occurred under the
Senator's leadership. They called for
new deal and demanded that the Re-
publican party clean house by repudiat-
ing the Senator.
Augmenting this drive was the con-
riction of Clyde A. walb. formerly Re-
publican State chairman. on a charge
OF violating the national banking laws
He was the twenty-fourth Republican
ofhcial or leader who has been indicted
in the last two years and his sentencing
to Leavenworth prison recalled vividlr
the scandals that have besst the party.
Effect Of Ohio Vote.
The tide turned, however, when
Hoover swept the Ohio primaries and
from then on the Watson people
realized they had fight on their hands
Up until that time it did not appear
as though Hoover would have a ghost
OF show in the State and there were
indications that his managers had prac-
tically abandoned hope.