Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-14
SMITH TRIP SOUTH
CREATES Juror
Held by New York 6. O. P. as
Weakness Admission.
Point Is Disputed.
erec,sI nisnatch % III. sta.

Special Dispatch 20 The Star
ALBANY, NJ Y. October 13.-Politi-
cal precedent was shattered in New
York this week when for the first time
since the Civil War Democratic can
didate for President announced he
would invade the solid South" in his
campaign,
Gov AL Smiths decision to include
on his second campaign trip a half
cczen or more Southern border and
Central States was the one big item
Of political news here in New York
this week. The obvious conclusion
seized upon by Republicans was that
their opponents were decidedly uneasy
Is to Smiths prospects. When it 40
deemed advisable for Democratic cam
didate to campaign in territory hitherto
taken for granted such move would
inevitably be considered sign Of weak
ness, Republicans claimed.
Move Held Significant.
If the situation were only serious and
not desperate it was claimed the gov
ernor and his advisers would surely
have decided to bluff it OUT and at
least pretend the usual confidence in
that section of the country. even if
they did consider it necessary for the
lesser lights to work harder than ever.
The fact that the governor is on his
way. to sell his personality" to the
border States is generally considered
Of his first rank significance.
That his trip is primarily one Of
personality selling" seemed obvious
from the announced plans. Only one
speech was scheduled. that last night
at Louisville, KY and this set still
another precedent.
The governors national committee
advisers are understood to have urged
him originally to make more speeches
on his trip They wanted one more
speech in Tennessee at least, but the
governor remained adamant, in spite
of several long and spirited converse
tions over the telephone between the
executive mansion here and national
headquarters in New York.
North Carolina was suddenly includ
ed in the itinerary, bringing Demo-
cratic presidential candidate into the
solid South" for the first time in
more than half a century. The effect
on the morale in Democratic circles
was obvious here. There was de-
cided depression among many of the
workers. 1t is known that the COVER
nor was warned that his entering North
Carolina would be considered surely
q confession of weakness.
However, Democratic leaders in1lf1e-
that such was not the case in any way.
His visit to the Tar Heel State. they
said, would be in the nature of simply
q friendly call out of courtesy to the
leaders there. who had felt all along
that their candidate would speak to
them, as well as to the Democrats in
tennessee.
Radio Changes Matter.
Tce radio is credited with the re-
eponsibility, for the small number of
speeches on Gov. Smiths schedule. He
is a past master in the use of the radio
for political purposes, having many
times carried his messages ito the peo-
pie" in his own State during hot cam
paigns. and with great success. He
early served notice that the radio
would be the n1ainstay of his national
campaign, and he Is following his in
tention of reducing the number of
speaking engagements and increasing
The other great topic on political
talk in the Empire State this week was
the attitude of the Democratic candi-
date on the tariff. Following charge
that Gov. Smith had Endorsed the old
Underwood tariff bill, National Chair
man John j. Raskob declared he would
resign his position as leader of the
Democratic forces If it could be shown
that the Democratic presidential nomi-
nee had Endorsed the Underwood bill.
Every one in the Republican circles
promptly seized on Gov Smiths accep-
lance speech and quoted glibly: THE
Democratic party does not, and under
my leadership viii not advocate any
sudden or drastic revolution in our eco
nonic system which will cause busi-
ness upheaval and popular distress.
This principle was recognized as far
back as the passage of the Underwood
bill. Our platform restates it in un-
Eistakable language"
THOMAS c. STowELL.