Evening star., 1928-05-20
ENTERS MISSOURI
SENATORIAL FRAY
R. C. Patterson, u. S. Attor-
ney, Out to Succeed
James A. Reed.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
KANSAS CITY. May 19--The an
nouncement late this week by Roscoe
for the western district of Missouri, with
headquarters here, that he would enter
the Republican primaries as candidate
for United States Senator to succeed
Senator James A. Reed, Democrat ap-
parently solves a serious problem con-
fronting the Republican State organi-
Zation.
For several months the Republican
organization leaders feverishly have
been at work in search Of an acceptable
candidate from rural Missouri. II is
believed Patterson will be able to COM
mand the support Of the out-State dry
organization as well as much of the
wet" st. Louis organization.
Decline to Enter Race.
Owing largely to the frequent predic-
tions of political leaders that Al Smith
as the Democratic nominee for Presi-
dent would sweep the normally Repub-
lican city of st. Louis, and thereby
carry the state in November. several
Republicans have declined TO enter the
primary race for the senatorial nomi-
nation. The rise in the presidential
stock of Herbert Hoover has not been
reassuring to some of the Republican
leaders The Commerce Secretary ap-
parently has more agricultural oppoSi-
ton in Missouri than in any of the
Corn Belt States. owing to the fact, az
his supporters admit, to the many at
tacks made on him by Senator Reed
beginning with the senatorial primary
campaign of 1922. The pro-Smitf and
the anti-Hooyer propagandas in Mis-
souri, have had depressing effect both
on Republican leaders and potential
candidates for Senator.
O. j. Page of Springfield, floor
| leader in the last Legislature and resid-
ing in the same city with Patterson, is
the only Republican candidate for Sen
ator thus far to announce. Page is an
avowed wet" but has not made much
headway with the st. Louis organiza
ton.
With st. Louis apparently having
cinched the Republican nomination fol
governor with wet" the Republican
leaders have believed moderate rural
dry" was needed for Senator 10 bal
ance the State ticket. Arthur NJ. Hyde
former governor and dry" who could
have had the nomination for the ask
ing. refused TO enter the primaries
frankly stating that his views OF prohi-
bition were at variance with those OF
many of the organization leaders and
his candidacy would split the party In
Missouri.
Faust Declines.
Representative Faust of ST. Joseph
next declined TO run. Several out-State
Republicans have been under eonsidera-
ton, including Mayor Albert I. Beach.
Henry A. Bundschu. and former State
Senator David NJ. Proctor OF Kansas
City.
On the Democratic side. James A
Collet of Salisbury, who has the per-
sonal Endorsement of Senator Reed. is
contending against Charles Hay of St
Louis. formerly connected with the
Anti-Saloon League and leader of the
pro-Wilson and anti-Reed faction, for
the Democratic nomination Hay seems
to have the edge on the primary fight
His friends are gaining votes by the
argument that If "wets" of the type Of
Smith or Reed are nominated for the
presidency. the rural "drys" will re-
main away from the polls in November
unless dry" is on the ticket for Sena-
tor. Collects friends are expecting Sena-
tor Reed to return to Missouri after the
Houston convention and take the stump
against his old enemy, Hay. which may
upset the Democratic harmony plans
which have been worked out with great
care by the party leaders.
T. c. AFFORD.