Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-13
WALSH SEEN EASY
VICTOR IN PRIMARY
Kremer, Wet Smith Leader,
Mentioned as Opponent
in Party Race.
Special Dispatch to The star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
BILLINGS, Mont, october 12.-Now
that Thomas j. Walsh has announced
his candidacy for denomination In the
Democratic primary election next Au-
gust, it is accepted that he will have no
serious opposition for the United States
Senatorship in his own party. In his
statement the Senator said that he was
willing to dedicate his future years to
the good of the Nation and that he
possessed sufficient financial means to
enable him to devote his entire time to
the Office, If such was the desire of the
voters of the State.
Senator Walsh is an avowed dry and
it Is alone upon that issue that he will
find opposition should it develop. 1t
should be recalled that while Montana
voted by $4,000 to join the ranks>of the
dry States prior to the adoption of the
eighteenth amendment, 1t repealed its
prohibition enforcement laws by SUBJ
stantial majority about five years ago.
Drys Lose Second Test.
At the last session of the Legislature
the charge was made that the issue had
not been fairly presented to the cleo
torate of the State, with the result that
the matter was again submitted last Fall,
Again the voters of the State voted
against the dry side by rather pro-
nounced majority, with the result that
prohibition enforcement rests entirely
with the Federal authorities.
Only upon the issue of prohibition,
therefore, can any serious opposition be
raised to Mr. Walsh in the Democratic
ranks. 1t should be borne in mind,
however, that on the surface at least,
the Democratic is the wet party Of Mon
49, HI I.4e cal lNn
of opposition to his candidacy.
In this connection the name of ].
Bruce Kremer of Butte finds favor. Mr..
Kremer is national Democratic commit
teeman for Montana and was an OUT
standing Smith leader in the last presi-
dental campaign. He is avowedly wet
in his leanings. Mr.. Kremer has made
no statement indicative of opposition
to Senator Walsh, but the belief is gem
eral that If there is contest 1t will be
led by the Butte attorney.
Absent From Houston Convention.
Although elected as delegate to the
Houston convention, Senator Walsh did
not attend. The charge is made by
Kremer adherents that the underlying
reason for the failure of the chairman
of the national Democratic convention
in New York four years previously to
go to Texas was his opposition to Gov
Alfred E. Smith, who, he felt, was GER
tain to receive the nomination.
It is conceded that while Mr.. KremeI
would give Senator Walsh a determined
battle, the incumbent has the edge
on the situation. The ability of Sem
ator Walsh is unqueStioned. He Is q
man of considerable means, accumu-
lated chiefly through the practice OF
law and investments in sheep and wool
concerns.
The chief arguments advanced
against him are that he is an interna-
tionalist as distinguished from Mon
tanan or even a nationalist. Put in
another way, complaint is made that
he devotes too much time to interna-
tional affairs rather than those of Mon
tana, whose interests in a protective
tariff because Of its sugar beet industry
its metals, its livestock investments, is
pronounced. But, despite his sheep in
terestS. Senator Walsh is regarded as
free trader on wool duties.
WheeIer's Choice Uncertain.
Another big factor in the possible
race between Walsh and Kremer would
be the attitude of Senator B. K.
wheeler. Montanas junior Senator is
unquestionably factoi in Democratic
ranks, being particularly strong in labor
circles. He demonstrated his strength
last Fall when he defeated the present
Assistant Secretary Of the Interior
Joseph M. Dixon, the Republican Honi-
nee, at the November election, and this,
too, despite the fact that Mr.. Hoover
carried the State against Gov. Smith
by an overwhelming plul atty.
Senator Wheeler and his friends could
swing the nomination to either Walsh
| m T1rAHfrf
what Wheeler would do other than that
on community grounds he might favor
Kremer because they are fellow towns
men, and precedent is found for this
in that Powers and Sanders were both
residents of Helena during their incum-
bency.
The situation in the Republican camp
is a trifle nebulous. Admitting tho
strength of Senator Walsh. candidates
/ are not focking forth. Perhaps the
! logical Republican nominee is Scot
| Leavitt, at present a member of tho
| House. His friends are divided as Il
the advisability of his entrance into the
| race. On the one hand, it is pointed
| out that he represents the second dis
trict, which Is Overwhelmingly Repub'
| lican, and is therefore assured OF per-
petuity in Office so long as he desires. i
! is also pointed out that he has ServeC
| so long that he has advanced to a higf
point in House councils. He is chair
man of the Indian affairs COMMITTEES
and is also a member of number d
other committees in which the State haI
vital interest.
Yet there is a strong desire on the
part of Republicans as a whole to de-
| feat Senator Walsh and thus. to accorC
to President Hoover the support the!
believe he should have from protec
lively inclined agricultural, live stool
and mineral State.
The name Of Robert c. Strong, a
present district Judge in Billings, /
mentioned as the most likely candidate
in the event that Leavitt does not entel
the field. Wellington D. Rankin
United States attorney, is also giveI
considerable mention, but his defeat TO
the governorship last year is accepted
| as fnrtani q hla Ia ndican