Evening star., 1932-07-10
DEMOCRATS CLAIM
MARGIN IN JERSEY
Roosevelt Name, Wet Plank
and Hague Influence Seen
Vital Factors.
BY EDWARD NJ. GILROY.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
TRENTON, N. j., July 9.-Despite
Frank Hague's statement at Chicago
that Franklin D. Roosevelt was the
weakest Democratic candidate and
that he could not carry New Jersey,
the political trend at this time faYors
Roosevelt to carry the State.
Conditions can change materially in
the four months before election, but
II the election were this week Roose-
welt would carry New Jersey. And
most of the ward and district leaders
the boys who really get out the vote
do not see anything ahead that will
change this picture before November.
The Roosevelt Hoover campaign pre-
eents a curious reversal of the usual
political trend in the State. In past
presidential years New Jersey has been
q Republican stronghold, often piling
up 10000 Republican pluralities Most
of this vote was realized in the rural
areas Of South Jersey. The Democratic
votes came from the larger cities, as
they do generally throughout the coun-
try.
Roosevelt Popular.
But this year South Jersey senti-
ment is strong for Roosevelt on a per-
sonal basis, for his name means much
4AC IA al dANGo ANJOANNA HAANAA
Roosevelt was nominated despite the
efforts of Hague, the State leader, to
prevent it. Added to this Roosevelt
feeling Is a strong anti-administratlon
sentiment against President Hoover due
chiefly to the belief the Republicans
have devoted most of their reconstruc-
ton efforts to helping the cities and
big business. while neglecting the rural
sections and small farmers.
Roosevelt is not personally popular
in the more densely populated sections
of North Jersey. A large proportion Of
this population works in New York and
Is innbued with the Wall Street feeling
that Roosevelt Is not to be the friend
of big business. In this section 1t is
recognized that President Hoover has
directed his efforts to aiding banking
and large business interests. There Is
considerable feeling that Hoover would
be able TO do more, with his present
knowledge of the situation, than an
incoming President.
II this sentiment were the only fac
tor involved, Roosevelt's chances here
would be poor. But there are two
other important elements. One is that
Hague has q smoothWorking vote-pro-
ducing machine in every county, while
the disorgsnized Republicans, still
dazed from their defeat in the guber-
material election, have no State ma
chine worthy of the name. And 1t is
conceded that before November Hague
will have made his peace with the
Roosevelt managers and be out working
for him.
Wet Plank Factor.
The second, and equally important
factor, is that New Jersey is over
whelningly wet and has hailed the
Democratic party for its outright re-
peal stand. There was an immediate
reaction against the Republicans for
their vague resubmission plank and an
equally quick favorable response to the
Democratic platform.
This wet vote will be emphasized by
O State referendum election day on re-
peal Of the Hobart State enforcement
act. This referendum to remove prohi-
bition enforcement from local police au
thorities Is certain to draw a heavy
vote-a four-year vote that nominally
would be Republican. But this anti
prohibition vote this year. according to
every indication, will be Overwhelmingly
Democratic.