Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-15
THE WEEK IN POLITICS
Summary of National Developments Based on Reports
From The Stars Special Correspondents
and Staff Writer'S

the Clues, even III tLle iluIHlally rue
publican Cincinnati is leaning to-
ward Smith. But the Republicans.
as usual, are relying on the rural
districts to carry the State for
Hoover. The Ohio farmers do not
appear to be l1arboring any resent
ment over the Republican farm
plank.
In Indiana the official weight of
the State Federation of Farm Blu
reaus has been thrown to the Dem
ocratic platform, although the d.
rectors OF the organization have re-
Smith. Republicans are reSentful
Settle, president Of the federation,
and are urging the Republican State
committee to denounce him. Four
years ago the federation under Set
ties leadership supported Coolidge.
But the Indiana Democrats, too,
have their troubles. for the Demo-
cratic senatorial nominee, Albert
Stump. is dry and Is having diff
Guilty running on the same ticket
with Smith. Under the leadership
of the "Watsonian stalwarts," who
opposed Hoover In the primaries.
the Republicans are going out to
win the State for Hoover and Curtis
with their fighting toys on. At this
time 1t looks as II Indiana were
real battle ground.
Democrats are having their trou-
bles in Missouri The hope OF inn
mediate Democratic harmony has
been upset by an attack Of Senator
Reed upon Charles M. Hay, dry
candidate for the Democratic sena-
torial nomination and leader of the
ar,ti-Reed faction. Reed declared
that 1t would be inconsistent to have
a dry candidate for Senator on a
ticket with Smith as the presiden-
tial nominee, and added: President
Wilson vetoed the Volstead act for
reasons very similar to those set
forth In Gov. Smiths telegram to
the convention" This was regard
ed as significant In view of the fact
that Hay has been g.. leader of the
Woodrow Wilson faction In Missouri,
which has always opposed Reed.
Nebraska Republicans have breathed
a sigh of relief since Senator Norris
has refused to mix In the already
complicated situation in that State.
Declining to accept the Farmer
Labor presidential nomination, Nor
ris has advised the people to vote
for Progressive candidates for the
House and Senate and let 1t so at
that.
Smith Is personally popular In
South Dakota. Montana. Idaho. Ore
gon. Washington and other Western
states. but many dry Democrats are
said to be quietly getting ready to
vote against him. Prohibition and
the religious issue are counting more
in this part of the country than
anything else, even the farm relief
question. Church organizations the
Anti-Saloon League and the w. G.
T. u. are actively fighting Smith.
There are evidences. however. that a.
considerable wet element In Western
cities is favorable to Smith and that
his personal popularity may win him
some hitherto Republican votes.
The pro-Smith sentiment In the
usually solid Republican State OF
Oregon Is reported to be surprising
ly strong.
Little political news is coming
right now from the debatable border
States of West Virginia, Kentucky,
Tennessee and Oklahoma, but there
Is an unusual amount OF activity in
the solid South. Virginia Demo-
Gratis are planning their most ex-
tensive campaign in 20 years and
the Republicans expect to put forth
their best efforts to roll up as large
q popular vote as possible. There
Is q Democratic split in the Old
Dominion, but 1t Is not regarded as
serious enough to justify alarm on
the part OF the Democratic leaders.
The Anti-Saloon League. w. c. T. u.
and Protestant ministers of Arkar1-
sas have been directing harrAge
OF oratory against Smith, but the
Democratic organization remains
solid for the national ticket.
In North Carolina the Democratic
campaign will be conducted by
committee of men and women who
opposed Smiths nomination, and
their chief efforts will be put forth
to elect the State ticket. The Re-
publicans are planning hot fight
and expect to increase their vote
over four years ago. Opponents of
Smith in Alabama are quietly cam
paigning among the ultra-drys TO
turn votes to Hoover, but no Demo-
cratic leader In the State has come
out against Smith. Republican ac-
tivity Is noticeable all over Florida.
particularly In the cities, but appar-
entity the Republicans have no real
hope OF carrying the State for Hoo
yer and Curtis. The anti-Smith
talk among the Democrats Is report
ed Ia have nracficallu s,ilAsidaA