Evening star., 1932-10-27
TARIFF c. 0.P. PLEA
IN WEST VIRGINIA
Slack Employment in States
/ Industries Party's Prin-
cipaI Worry.
tContinued From First Page.)

can. The normal Republican majority
is estimated at 40 900 Whether there
is anv such thing, however. as normal
majority Is decidedly questionable, owing
to the large number of independent
voters which have sprung up in nearly
all the States, ready to swing one way
or the other.
In 1928. President Hoover carried
West Virginia over Al Smith with lead
of 10000 votes. Two years later, Sen
ator Neely. Democrat, carried the State
with a lead of 1873 900 over his Repub-
Iican opponent. In 1923, Nicely was de-
feated in the senatorial race by Senator
Hatfield. But Hatfield's lead over Nicely,
notwithstanding the big Hoover sweep,
was only 10000. 1t seems clear. there
fore. that Neelys huge plurality over the
Republican Jones III 1890 was due IN
part to his large personal following.
No slightest chance for Hoover victory
in West Virginia was discernable
month ago. In recent weeks, however,
reports of Republicans who had de
clared they would vote for Roosevelt
and who are now back in the Republl-
can fold have been many. This swing
back to Hoover has been manifest not
only in Wheeling, but in the rural dis
strict and in the towns. Furthermore,
West Virginia-outside of Wheeling
has been strongly dry in the past and
there are dry Democrats who are now
proposing to vote for President Hoover
because of the stand taken by Roosevelt
and the Democrats for out-and-out re-
peal of the eighteenth amendment.
Lack of Work Extensive.
These are the brighter aspects of the
situation for the Republicans. On the
other hand, there is still great unem-
ployment in West Virginia, and it is the
unemployed vote which particularly
threatens to play havoc with the Repub-
lican ticket on November 8. A receiver
for two coal mines now smut down re-
Gently had occasion to visit these mines:
At one go families of miners were still
living in the company houses and ~
families at the other mine. Although
there is no present intention of opening
these mines. the companies VIII permit
the miners to remain in their houses. In
oI1irv among these miners and their
families developed the fact that almost
to a man and woman they intended TO
vote for Gov. Roosevelt. Many OF the
farmers too have voiced the intention
of voting the Democratic ticket.
Democratic leaders here insist that
Roosevelt should carry the State by
rs 900 to 100000. The Republicans say
this is impossible. However. it must be
admitted that these Republicans con-
tinue to be much disturbed over the
situation in West Virginia and privately
they say that it would be great victory
for the Hoover Curtis ticket if 1t pre-
vailed over the Roosevelt Garner ticket
bv IS 900 votes 1t must be said, how
ever. that they have really been en-
couraged by the developments OF the
last two weeks They do not belleVe
that Gov. Roosevelt helped himself IN
the slightest by his visit to wheeling.
On the contrary. they have had many
reports from individual voters declaring
their intention now to vote for Hoover.
Wheeling is a wet center and un-
doubtedly, it is said. there will be Re
publican vets who swing to RooSeVeit
on this issue The speech that Alfred
z. Smith made recently in Newark
bearing down hard on this prohlDltlon
issue is expected to be of assistance to
the Democrats in this district On the
other hand. Mr. Smiths discussion OF
the dry ''bigotS" in the same speech
will be no help to the Democratic cause
in the rural section of the State.
The distress due to hard times in
Wheeling is having its effect in the CAM
paign. In the county the population
toUals about $1,000. Wheeling, 1t Is
estimated. must care for 5000 families
this Winter-perhaps total of 10000
men, women and children. With such
a large proportion Of the people out of
work, it is obvious that the party in
power will have its normal majority
here cut into deely. Wheeling in the
past has always been Republican
stronghold.
Tax Amendment Sought.
In the gubernatorial contest Town.
send. the Republican nominee. is cam
paigning ardentiy for proposed con-
Stitutional amendment fixing -llmita-
tions on the taxes which may be levied
on property The issue is popular with
many of the farmers and home owners
of the State, who have been heavily
taxed on their property. The limita-
tions which would be fixed are so cents
on the S1O0 valuation on intangibles
and personal property on the farm, 81
on farm land and improvements and
on homes occupied by their owners,
S. so on all other property situated out
of the municipalities and 81 on all
property within municipalities. His
Democratic opponent, Judge H. G.
this proposal. He takes the stand that
to bring about reduced taxation 1t is
better to use the ak on governmental
expenditures rather than to tamper with
the tax rate Some of the industries
of the State and growing business con-
Germs fear that such limitation on
property taxes would have the effect
of throwing heavier taxation upon
them.
The race for Governor may be de-
cidedly close. Undoubtedly Townsend
will receive a big vote. On the other
hand, Republicans have been in power
in West Virginia for long time and
the mounting costs of government are
laid on their doorstep.