Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-14

w YITH the presidential cleo
n ton only a little more
wv than three weeks away,
Y ' the Republicans. nation
ally, are reported to have
the immediate advantage They
claim it and conservative Demo-
cratic observers admit it. But there
are still enough States classified as
doubtful or debatable to make A
Democratic victory possible. These
are the facts as reported 10 The
Star by It's staff correspondents and
special political writers In every
State In the Union.
The campaign Is approaching
climax. The Democratic managers
hope to snatch victory in the final
weeks. Some Of them are confident
they can do so. The Republicans
hope to turn the reported trend In
their favor toward landslide for
Hoover. The result still is In the
balance.
Betting odds for the country
favor Hoover, and so do all polls
conducted on a national scale,
although both sides admit that these
things do not necessarily foreShadow
the result. The majority of politi-
cal observers. including writer's from
strongly Democratic newspapers, re-
port a general belief that Hoover will
win. but admit possibility that
Smith. by his campaign speeches or
some other happening, may change
the situation even In the last week.
The unusual character Of the CAM
paisn is indicated everywhere and
by every one.
y 4 y X
The Republican managers think
they will win, but wish they were
surer of IT.. They are seriously
alarmed about some usually Repub-
lican States in the East and West.
They plan to keep up the fight to
the last day. So do the Democrats.
Politicians of both parties are
watching with great interest Smiths
invasion of the South and the Dor
der States. They are waiting also
to learn the effect of the speech
which Hoover is about to make in
New England and later in New York.
Conditions in certain parts of New
England continue to be uncertain.
Massachusetts, is the most doubtful
State at the present time. Betting
in Boston is even money. The
Democrats say this is significant in
a State where the odds are usually
to in favor of the Republican
presidential nominee. The reasons
for this situation are reported to
be the fact that Smiths religion is
an asset In Massachusetts,. where the
Catholic population Is large: the
absence OF factionalism among the
Democrats and the wetness of many
of the Bay State cities. The Re-
publicans express confidence that
they can hold this State in line,
but admit that they must work hard.
Rhode Island is the New England
State in which the Democrats APP
parently have the next best chance.
Senatorial nominations have just
been made there In Connecticut,
which the Democrats. hope to carry.
the registration has been completed
and is unusually heavy. Here the
Democrats appear to have the lead
in the larger cities and the Republi-
cans in the towns and rural Sec
tions. Activity is increasing in New
Hampshire. where the Republicans
are reported to have slight adj
vantage.
y X n 4
The campaign in the big State Of
New York Is getting hotter. but the
real work will be done there In the
last two weeks of the campaign.
Hoover will speak there October %
and Smith will spend the last days
Of the campaign in intensive work
In his home State. While the Re-
publicans have strong hope OF carry
ing New Jersey. it is reported that
the death Of Mayor Raymond of
Newark, liberal and Republican
leader, has hurt their chances.
Pennsylvania, with all its vice in
vestigations. Is still reported as
Republican, and little Delaware is
In doubt.
A total vote of tremendous proper
tons is predicted in Ohio, where the
Republicans are declared to have
distinct advantage. Straw votes in
Indiana show a preponderant trend
toward Hoover. but also indicate that
Smith will receive larger vote than
Davis got In 1924. A new record
for the number OF votes cast is ex-