The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-10-11
fierce VOTE
FIGHT WACED
IN FARM BELT
Economic Conditions, Not
Booze, Big Issue, u. P.
Survey Shows.
BY RAYMOND CLAPPER
United Press stan Correspondent

Copyright 1882 BY United Press
WASHINGTON, Oct. IA ter
rife struggle is being waged in the
farm belt. Exasperated farmers are
inclined TO hit every head in sight.
But many Of Their. are restrained
by traditional Republican prefer
ences, rooted in the days of Lincoln.
Strong indications Of revolt are
reported in the confidential survey
now being made by the United
Press, but some believe it's extent
Is oYerestimated.
Economic questions almost entire
~ Oyershadow the prohibition issue
in the second group Of states to be
reported This group consists Of
Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri Nebraska
and Kansas. All we're carried by
President Hoover four years ago.
Reports today show a tournover
II votes Of huge proportions.
The only question as seen by bust
ness men, editors, politicians and
others reporting to the United Press
in its national, impartial survey is
whether the "anti-Hoover' vote will
be sufficiently large - entirely wipe
out the heavy Republican ma iOrities
which these states have been re-
turning in normal presidential
years.
Hoover Faces Hard Fight
Reports from Minnesota show the
Hoover ticket struggling against
serious difficulties.
The only Farmer-Labo Dor Governor
in the country, Floyd Olson, has
declared for Roosevelt. II his fol-
lowing goes with him, the normal
Republican ma iority probably will
be wiped out.
Representative Paul J. Kvale. the
only Farmer-Labor member of the
house, last week said he preferred
Roosevelt, but he doesn't like the
Democratic platform because it
failed to indorse controlled infla-
ton.
The Republican candidate for
Governor, Earl Brown has Endorsed
President Hoover after his oppo-
nents accused him of being ashamed
of his candidate"
Agricultural discomfort is the chie1
issue.
Persons who two weeks ago were
giving Iowa to Roosevelt, assert
that President Hoover's Des MoineS /
speech changed many votes.
Former Senator James A. Reed Of
Missouri was sent to Des MOines !
Monday night to counteract the eff
feet of the Hoover speech.
Wet Issue Not SO Fierce
The biggest effect of Hoovers
visit was in pepring up the Re
publican organization in the state,
one source reported.
incidentally the smallness of the /
farm holiday parade should con-
vince eastern newspapers that the
movement isn't as serious as it
sometimes has been pictured. The +.
smallness Of it was a revelation to
us out here also, as this was the
first actual test Of strength be-
tween the radical and conservative
farm forces"
One report said the wet and dry
issues practically have disappeared
and that economic questions domi-
mated discussion
ST. Louis registration is the larG-
est in history. Elsewhere in Mis-
souri, prohibition is reported to be /
of small Importance as an issue. All
reports practically are in agreement |
that Missouri will go Democratic.
Vote Against Depression
People are simply showing an
indication of voting gainst the de-
preston" one report said. !
Farm discomfort and the switch of
Senator George w. Norris to Roose-
welt have given Roosevelt workers
confidence that they can take Ne
braska away from the Republicans.
President Hoover's Iowa speech is
reported to have had some effect in
helping the Republican cause. Or
ganization speakers are about to be
SCI into the state in large numbers.
Farm discomfort overShadowS
everything else as an issue, outside
of Omaha, which is prohibition.
Bleeding Kansas" again is the
center of terrific fight. Strong
Republican tradition is claShing
with the cain-raising tendencies
which made Kansas a strong Pop
ulist state, and one of the chief
states in the elder Roosevelt's pro-
greSsive party.
President Hoover swept the state
four years ago with $4,000 votes to
Smiths $4,000. Now the state is
in doubt.