Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-02
DEMOCRATS BEGIN
COMEBACK FIGHT
Kentucky Election, First
Since November, Seen
as Vital Fight.
Continued from First Page. }

he was reelected mayor by some $4,000
votes.
The attack launched yesterday by
Bishop James Cannon, jr, leader of
the anti-Smith Democrats in Virginia,
against the regular Democratic or
ganization of the Old Dominion was
not answered by Senator Swanson,
Senator Glass and others of that or
ganization. While it is admitted that
Bishop Cannon is capable of stirring
UP trouble for the State organization,
it is believed he will not be successful
in preventing the election this year OF
Democratic governor named by the
regular State organization. Bishop
Cannon's declaration in favor of hav-
ing the anti-Smith Democrats put a
| gubernatorial candidate in the field Is
regarded indeed as playing into the
| hands of the regular Democratic or
ganization. Had Bishop Cannon
elected to throw in his lot with the
Republicans and take with him the
anti-Smith Democratic organization,
which was both strong and smooth
working in the last campaign, there
might have been a different story. 1t
still remains for that anti-Smith or
| ganization, meeting in convention at
Roanoke on June 10, to determine
whether 1t will follow Bishop Cannon
in this matter. If it does and places
an independent Democrat in the field,
the candidate of the regular organ1za-
ton should have a distinct advantage.
The State went for Hoover by about
25, 900. It seems clear that If the
Democrats who supported Smith in the
last election stick together while the
anti-Smith Democrats and Republic
| cans each follow candidates of their
own, the first must win.
Position Of Smith.
In launching their efforts to regain
States in the South and the border
States, the Democratic organization
has distinctly in mind the idea that
the campaign next year and the CAM
paign in 1892 will be without the reli-
gious issue, which caused the party so
much trouble in 1929 Its leaders def
nitely believe that Gov. Smith not only
will not be nominated again for Presi-
dent, but that he would not permit
himself to be put forward in 1892 as
candidate for the Democratic presi-
Dental nomination. This, it is true, is
some of Gov. Smiths ardent admirers
and friends. Nevertheless, 1t is the
basis of the confidence of the Demo-
cratic organization in the ability to win
back the Southern States to their cid
party allegiance.
One thing which the Democrats will
endeavor to make clear to every one Is
that the organization set up in Wash
ington under the national executive
committee is not being set up in the
interest of any possible presidential
candidate. This goes so far as Gov.
Smith Is concerned, former Senator
New York or any of the others whose
names have been mentioned as presi-
Dental possibilities in 1882. The pur-
pose of the organization Is to rehabili-
tate the party throughout the country,
to bring about the election next year of
as many Democratic members of the
House and of the Senate as possible.
For this purpose it will cooperate &C
lively with Representative ByrneS,
chairman of the Democratic congress
sional committee, and Senator TydingS,
chairman of the senatorial committee.
In their fight to regain the four
Southern States which they lost in the
last campaign the Democrats realize
that they have the hardest nut to crack
in Florida. There g. large number OF
Republican voters have come in from
the North, and industries have been
built up which have changed the politi-
cal situation in no little degree In that
State. Virginia and Texas, the Demo-
cratic leaders believe they can win back
comparatively easily. In North Carolina
there has been for number OF years
a strong Republican voting population.
The Tarheel State may need some care
full handling, the Democrats admit.
Kentucky Election Significant.
The election in the third Kentucky
district yesterday means much to both
political parties. Kentucky went for
Hoover by $4,000 plurality. 1t elected
six members of the House from dis
tricts which have been Democratic in
the past, including the third district.
This in State which never gave the
Democrats more than $1,000 majority
in a presidential election means that
the Democrats must stage comeback
little short of revolutionary II they are
to regain their lost ground. That Is
one reason why the district campaign
has been so warmly contested. The
| Republicans are bent on winning the
| State Legislature If they can. They
| already have the Governor of Kentucky.
| Whichever party controls the Legis-
| lature will be able to rediStrict the
State. If the Republicans are able to
undertake this job they can SO arrange
the districts as to make 1t almost i'm
possible for a Democrat to win seat
| in Congress in the future.
The headquarters here in Washing
ton established by Mr.. Shouse for the
| national executive committee are 10
Gated in the National Press Building.
They are commodious. including six or
eight rooms, among them large room
for the use of the committee itself.
Mr.. Shouse plans to build an effective
organization with as many employees as
may be necessary. It will be working
organization, however, and not designed
to give easy berths to party workers.
The probabilities are that ample finan-
cial arrangements will be made through
the national committee to provide the
Sinews of war which will be needed
by the executive committee in conduct
ing its campaign for effective organiza-
tions in States and congressional dis
tricts in all sections of the country.
Mr.. Shouse may do considerable travel
ing, but 1t is planned to have in the
organization here an able assistant to
the chairman, part of whose duties will
be to make organization trips to the
States.
MOORE APPARENTLY ELECTED.