Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-29
M|LL|ONA|RES FIGHT
FOR RHODE ISLAND
SENATORIAL SEAT
MetcaIf and Gerry Both Wet
In Race, With Result
Believed in Doubt.
BUSINESS SLUMP HELD
FACTOR AGAINST G. o. P.
Reported Free Use of Money In
spires Question of Nye Com
mittee Investigation.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN,
stan Correspondent Of The Star.

PROVIDENCE, r. /, october 2s.-
For want Of a better name, the sena-
torial race in this State may be called
the great Rhode Island millionaires'
handicap.
Senator Jesse H. Metcalf, Republican,
owner of textile mills and with many
other interests, is many times a million
aire. and he is matched this year
against former Senator Peter Goelet
Gerry, Democrat, whose millions are
said to be partly invested in lower
New York real estate.
Mr.. Metcalf is seeking to succeed
himself, while his Democratic opponent
over Mr.. Metcalf's political body. Mr..
Gerry was defeated in 1928 for election
to the Senate by Senator Felix Hebert.
Republican, who defeated, Gerry by
nearly 5000 votes, although Al Smith,
the Democratic candidate for Presi-
dent. carried Rhode Island by $500
votes.
Race Held Doubtful.
Which one of these millionaires win
cross the line first on November is
still a conundrum. And 1t Is a conun-
drum because no one appears able TO
predict with certainty just what will be
the effect on the election of depression
and unemployment. The liquor queS-
ton. in which Rhode Island has been
tremendously interested, is practically
out of the senatorial campaign. Sen
ator Metcalf, timing his announcement
to, q nicely, has declared himself IN
favor of the repeal Of the eighteenth
amendment. although in the same
breath he has said that he will vote IN
the Senate on the question of repeal as
the majority of the voters in Rhode
Island stand on the referendum, which
Il TO be taken also on election day. ;,
The Democrats are all popped up
over the reception given Al Smith when
he spoke here Monday night. Tney
counted enormously upon MS VISIT al
most on the eve of election to bring the
Democrats in numbers to the pols 10
support of q Democratic ticket which
this wear, as In Massachusetts, Is head
ed by two Yankees" former Senator
Gerry and Theodore Francis Green,
candidate for governor. As In Massa-
chusetts, the Irish Americans are back
bone and dominating forces in the
Democratic party. There were sore
spots because none Of them was picked
for one of the principal places on the
Democratic ticket this year. The DEM
ocratic National Committeeman,
Patrick H. Quinn, was wrathy At one
time because of the slate. But he re-
covered his equanimity and Is sup
porting the ticket now.
Counted on Smith Aid.
The magnetic personality OF Smith,
however. was relied upon to close fur
ther any sore spots and to give the
Democratic campaign the right stimulus
to carry It to victory. And by the same
token, the Republicans have dreaded
the coming Of Smith, and they are glad
he has gone.
The Metcalf announcement regarding
prohibition was timed to q nicely be-
cause 1t was withheld until day or
two after the last day for fling an in
dependent dry candidate. The drys
were impotent to put up dry Repub-
lican against him.
The hope of the Democrats. however,
As that a number of the dry Republicans
will not vote at all, on account OF the
stand now taken by Metcalf. But al
ready some of the most prominent drys
in the G. o. p. ranks have declared that
they will support Metcah In spite Of his
stand on the eighteenth amendment
The drys have, indeed, nowhere to GO
in this election for Senator. The asSo-
citation against the eighteenth amend
ment, on the other hand. has Endorsed
both Metcalf and Gerry, but has given
q preferential" rating to Gerry, who is
wet no matter how the referendum
goes.
No one here doubts but what Rhode
Island will vote overwhelmingly in IA
vor Of the repeal of the eighteenth
amendment on the referendum. / have
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