The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-05-02
DEMOCRATS TO
CAST BULK OF
PRIMARY VOTE
6. 0. P. Turnout Tuesday Is
Forecast as Light; Boon
for Coffin.
ESTIMATE NEAR 10000
Both Party Organizations
Face Fights With
Insurgents.
BY BEN STERN

stage scenery was being given It's
last shift today and finishing
touches being made, in more than
one sense. for the primary election
Tuesday, which gives all indications
OF being a torrid battle in the Or
CARNATIONS.
The man on the street. despite
all the ballyhoo, apparently evil
dences little interest in outcome OF
the primary and observers today
we're predicting one Of the lightest
y5tes in several years.
The political tables have been
turned and the Democratic primary
vote is expected to top that Of the
Republicans in proportion to the
ratio OF the 1880 primary, when the
G. o. P. cast Al 500 votes and the
Democrats 26.354, total of 1920
Il is estimated that Tuesdays
votes will be within 10000. with the
Democrats casting between $4,000
and 10000 and the G. o. P. the re-
mainder.
Chance for Coffin
II the Republican vote is light. the
Coffin organization slate will 60 over
with but one or two exceptions.
Fighting the Coffin groups is the
Repu lean Union. composed OF
those attempting to purge the party.
A late start has handicapped this
organization, which is not concen-
trating on precinct committeeman.
but is seeking to put over a complete
slate for congressional county and
legislative Offices.
Collins ward chairmen are seek
ing election OF the precinct COM
mitteemen who will name the
county and district chairmen at the
convention Saturday and thus con-
tinue control by the discredited boss.
Insurgents Stir Strife
The Democratic county orga MIA
ton also is having trouble within
its ranks from a small group of in
headed by Judge Frank P.
Baker Of criminal court. and
Charles L. Grossart, county auditor
This fight is on one Office only.
the nomination for circuit Judge.
with the organization backing James
E. Deery, city attorney, and the
Baker group pitching" for Earl
r. Cox.
Besides the two main events.
there are score or more OF small
groups battling against the organi-
cations in both parties.
The f1fty-seven different variety
OF states. many OF which really arc
shakedown schemes. with appar-
emily plenty of willing suckers, are
deluging the city.
The recognized States are those of
the two political party organiza-
tons. the Republican Union. the
Workers Non Partisan Political
Action League. the Associated En-
ployerS, and the Indiana Anti-sa-
loon League. each OF which caters
to a different trend in political
thought
Report Trustees Have Slate
The township trustees are re-
ported to have issued a legislative
slate. naming those who. if elected
to the general assembly, viii oppose
efforts to reduce governmental costs
through consolidation of townships.
thus doing away with duplication.
This slate is expected to be ef-
fective in rural sections OF the
county.
Although there is widespread in
terest in utility legislation and tax
alton. majority OF the voters have
not been stirred by the speeches
and have indicated that they are
waiting for the general election in
November to put in the heavy work.
not recognizing the importance OF
The primary.
The same apathy is reported over
the entire state. The only cues
ton which seems TO be asked IS
Wet or dry?" in relation to the
candidates.
In 1923. whel the last pre-na-
tional election primary was held.
1891 votes we're cast in May and
49,. 9O6 in the November election.
Reason for Heavier Vote
The heavy primary vote that
year is accounAsd for by the fact
that candidates for presidential,
senatorial. and gubernstorial nom
nations were battling in Indiana.
But the 1929 legislature abolished
the primary on those Offices. so all
discussion is focused on congress
Sional, legislative, and county race.
The organizations are expected to
control election of the delegates TO
the state conventions in June. and
there has been little general in
terest. although field managers for
the two Democratic senatorial can
didates. Frederick Van Nuys and
Myers. have locked horns in
Warren township and the Ninth
ward. with rival states Of delegates.
Representative Republicans have
filed a list OF unpledged candidates
in the Fouth ward in opposition
10 the Coffin group.
But. as a whole. there is little
enthusiasm in the delegates fight.
The only reason for expecting a
vote of approximately 10000 is that
the unprecedented number OF
candidates on both tickets will bring
out their relatives and friends.