Evening star., 1928-10-31
Party Gets Bad Break ON
Eve of Election Through
New Jersey Charges.
NEWARK ALL PRIMED
TO WELCOME GOVERNOR
Greater Activity on Behalf Of
Smith Shown Since Recent
Visit of Hoover.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.
Staff Correspondent OF The Sta-.

| Ok Us OOULD LINCOLN.
Staff Correspondent of The Sta-,
NEWARK, N. j., October 31.-The
Democrats have had a bad break here
in Jersey, just on the eve of Gov.
Smiths coming to Newark to make his
big play for the States IA electoral
votes.
Frank Hague, mayor of Jersey CITY.
Democratic boss of the State and its
member Of the Democratic national
committee, has refused to appear be-
fore a legislative investigating COM
mittee at this time. He says he
will appear as soon as the election is
over. The impression he has left in
the minds of many of the voters is
that he is afraid his testimony might
injure Democratic chances in the State.
The question is whether his testimony
would have done more harm than his
declining to appear.
| Doubt is expressed that he would
be able to clear himself of the charges
against him and the organization which
| ne controls. 1t has left a bad taste
IN the mouth. The Newark Evening
News has taken him to task. It points
out editorially that Mayor Hague. il
| he is able to clear himself, can do so
now just as well as the day after elec-
ton, and that his explanation would
be more effective now, if he has one,
| than it would later.
The Democratic hope in New Jersey,
| so far as this election is concerned
lies in Hudson County, which includes
Jersey City, and in the independent
vote in the rest of the State. The
Democrats are not afraid of losing Hud-
son County, with AL Smith heading
their ticket. Jersey City to all intentS
and purposes, is a part of Greater New
York City, and Smith is tremendously
popular there. But they are afraid
that Hague's decliration to appear be-
fore the legislative committee with the
implication he has something to con-
ceal, viii ALLEVIATE the independent
voters.
Hague Aided Smith.
Gov. Smith has nothing personally
10 do with the affairs of Mayor Hague.
but Hague has been one of Smiths
most ardent followers and was a tower
OF strength to the New York Governor
In the pre-convertion campaign and
at the Houston convention. So that
what happens to Hague now has its
bearing on the national ticket to some
| extent In New Jersey.
Newark Is all primed TO give Gov
Smith a great ovation when he comes
mere tonight to deliver an address In
tne same hall which Mr.. Hoover spoke
10 the Republicans several weeks ago.
IL VIII be demonstration, the Demo-
cratS say, right In line with the big
demonstrations which the governor has
nao In Boston, PHILADELPHIA and BaIti-
more. They are relying on the gover-
nors visit and his address here to give
nun the extra push which will send
MN TO the polls in New Jersey a VIC
tor on November 6.
followed the situation closely in this
State shake their heads when thew
are asked If Smith can carry New Jer-
Sey They just can't see it. The i'm
preston Is abroad that Smith can carry
Just one county, Hudson County. and
that the rest will go for Hoover.
the Democrats hope to roll I'D such
dig LEAD In Hudson County that It
VIII onset and go beyond the lead that
Hoover may have in the rest of the
state. Conservative estimates, however.
40 not give Smith more than 100000
NAV
not have more than 10000. The same
estimates give Hoover a 200 900 lead in
the rest OF the State. In other words,
the belief here is that Hoover will car
ry New Jersey by about 100000 votes.
altnough this may be scaled down to
$4,000. "
Smiths Strength Grows.
The Democrats have been more ar
tive In the State since Hooyer;s visit
and there have been signs that
smith was gaining strength. His wet
ness and his appeal to the foreign
groups and their descendants are help
ing here. On the other hand, the Re-
pupllcanS have strong organization
and It is working effectively. All the
Republican factions have gotten to-
gether for the final drive to push Hoo
yer over the line a winner.
Inc Democrats admit that It Is a
real blow to have the leader of the
organization not only under fire but
backing away from an investigation
at this time. 1t is an embarrassment
10 their candidates on the State ticket
as well as to those on the national
ticket: They have been quite confident
that they would elect their candidate for
governor, William Dill. They have been
fairly confident of re-electing Senator
Edward /. Edwards, former governor.
The Republican candidate for COVER
nor, State Senator Larson. has not
been regarded as a particularly wise
selection. There have been charges that
Boss Hague gave orders that thousands
OF Democrats in Hudson County should
vote in the Republican gubernatorial
primary and nominate Larson, who
was opposed for the nomination BY
Robert Carey, bitter enemy of Hague.
Investigation has borne out the charges
that many Democrats did vote In the
Republican primary.
To get clear picture of the situa-
ton here 1t must be understood that
Hague has been real boss. Democratic
candidates are nominated with his ap-
proval. and are tinted, therefore, with
boSSism. It is the charge of bossism
and Hagueism that the Republicans are
bringing to bear now against Dill. Mr..
Carey Is on the stump in vigorous style,
aSSailing Hague and Dill and linking
them together. He says, for example:
The Hague machine is the most cor
rupt thing of its kind ever operated in
America. The leader is one Of the most
corrupt princes this State has ever
seen.
"The real battle in this State Is for
the governorship. Hague lost all in
terest in the national election some time
ago, even in the election Of Teddy Ed
wards. He wants to elect Dill as gov
ernor so that he can continue In con-
troll of that office. I am for Morgan
Larson: Morgan Larson defeated me in
H. IL E...A y