Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-15
. TRONG political cross currents
- As,.e all

and seemingly endless compile
cations are likely to make the
~ presidential campaign that Is
now rounding into full swing
one of the most notable in American
history according to indications in
the latest dispatches received by The
Star from It's correspondents IN all
parts OF the country.
The Democrats during the last
six days have made flying start
in many States and are enthusiastic
cally and hopefully "whooping II
up" for the Smith Robinson ticket.
The Republicans have been more
quiet. but they have been perfecting
an organization and making ready
to enter the presidential and con-
gressional campaigns everywhere
with war banners flying. Both par
ties are apparently preparing for the
liveliest battle since 1916.
While the Democrats throughout
the country have been more vocal
than the Republicans during the
Republicans In organizing. The re-
cent conferences Of Gov. Smith with
members Of the Democratic national
committee and party leaders in New
York have held the attention OF the
public. Before the end of this
month the campaign will probably
be running at full speed, with both
parties fighting for every inch OF
political ground.
In several surprising quarters Gov.
Smith is represented as having
caught the popular fancy and show
ing unexpected strength. On the
other hand, observers tell Of serious
movements among Democrats In
several States away from Smith and
toward Hoover. due principally to
dissatisfaction with the Democratic
nominees position on liquor and his
religion. Except In a.few Midwest
ern States. farm relief seems TO be
still subordinated to the liquor and
religious issues.
In New York the Democrats have
been having an inning. The Repub-
licans OF the Empire State have
been content to remain quiet while
their opponents have held the GEN.
ter Of the stage with pilgrimages OF
Democratic chieftainS to Albany to
see the governor and his conferences
with the national committee In New
York City. But there are plenty Of
signs that the Republicans will soon
enter the battle for New York's as
electoral votes In dead earnest. The
big topic OF conversation In New
York. as elsewhere, has been the
selection of John ]. Raskob, q Cath
olic. an avowed wet and one OF the
leaders in the financial world, to run
the Democratic campaign. While
Raskob was advising against
"mud-slinging" campaign. Senator
Reed of Missouri, who has been
eonferring with Smith. issued
Enthusiastically bitter attack on
Hoover, which has led some
New York Democrats to believe that
the attack" feature Of the Demo-
cratic campaign Is to be left to
Reed. while Smith and Raskob
stress constructive policies.
For the most part there has been
little political activity In New Eng
land recently, but this quiet Is prob
ably only that which often comes be-
fore q storm. There are on1inous
rumblinEs In Massachusetts, and
Connecticut. presaging an acrimoni-
Gus campaign soon to open. In New
Hampshire the campaign has al
ready begun, with Ora A. Brown,
candidate for the Republican guber-
Material nomination, insisting that
prohibition Is the paramount issue
this year. Democrats of the Granite
State expect to get Gov. Smith TO
speak there In the Fall. and the Re-
pubiicans expect to have Senator
Curtis. their vice presidential NOM
inee, about the same time.
Maryland Is another Eastern State
that Is adding TO the complications.
The Democrats are reported to be
worried because the party split in
Baltimore, which enabled the Re-
publicans to elect q mayor last year.
has not been healed. but most OF
them expect factional feeling TO
Present indications are that the
presidential race will be very close
In this State, with much depending
upon how Baltimore votes.
4 n
Alarming reports have reached
the Republicans In Ohio indicating
that the colored vote OF that State,
hitherto largely Republican. Is going
over TO the Democratic ticket this
year. The colored newspapers OF
the State, which are said TO be in
fluenced by pro-6mith propagan-
dists In New York. are openly sup
porting Smith The underlying rea-
son is said to be a feeling OF the
colored leaders that the interests
OF their race lie with the Catholics
and Jews against the Ku Klux Khan.
Added TO this news comes a report
that the Republican wet element In