The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-10-11
MICHIGAN, HARD
HIT, MAY TURN
TO DEMOCRATS
Leaders See Ingredients Of
State, National Victory
in Situation.
BY RAY TUCKER
Times stan Writer

LANSING. Mich, oct. 11.-Mich-
fgan Democrats are dreaming sweet
and strange dreams these days and
praying that they will not awaken
to another Republican dawn on
Nov 8.
Although the state has not voted
for a Democratic presidential candi-
date since Franklin Pierce in 1852
going for Teddy Roosevelt in the
year Of the big Republican split
Democratic leaders think they see
the ingredients Of state and national
victory in the existing situation.
Despite a Hoover plurality OF
500. 900 in 1923, they maintain they
have at least an even chance. Some
are more optimistic.
They dwell on the fact that the
state is terribly hard hit, especially
the Detroit automobile industry,
whose normally Republican leaders
are deserving President Herbert Hoo
yer on the wet and economic issues.
Mining and agricultural sections
are in a bad way and furniture
factories upstate are suffering. The
recent tariff has not helped copper
manufacturers as the depth of
Michigan mines makes production
so costly that imports still are flow
ing in.
Detroit Is for Roosevelt
WAYNE county, which includes
Detroit. and has about one-third
the state vote, is scheduled to go
for Roosevelt. The unemployment
and relief demands are heavier
than in most cities, and the city
also is wet.
Mayor Frank Murphy, a popular
executive, is working hard for
Roosevelt.
Two other picturesque personal
ities-Father Couglin, the radio
priest. and Senator Jim Couzens-
are hurting Hoover, the former by
his denunciations and the latter by
repeated refusals to speak or con-
tribute on behalf Of the President.
If Detroit goes for the Demo-
cratic candidate, and conditions out
side the automobile center are as
reported, the Democrats may have
reason for their confidence.
The Democratic primary vote in
the state increased from a previous
high of 10000 to 100000, and in De-
troit the Democrats polled 81 per
cent of the total vote.
Tests Hearten Democrats
Several tests outside Detroit have
heartened the Democrats. In a spe-
cial election last fall in an upstate
congressional district, which was
represented by the late Joe Fordney
for many years, wet Democrat
won handily.
Republicans, however, say the
winner, Representative Michael J.
Hart, made the farm board his chief
issue, and insist the election was not
prophetic at all.
Several straw votes in rural ter
ritory have favored Roosevelt
The most significant was taken
by the Adrian Telegram, a Repub-
lican journal published in G.. o. P.
territory in southern Michigan 1t
gave the Democrat a to 2 lead
over Hoover.
A similar ballot IN Battle Greek,
where conditions comparatively are
good, also went for Roosevelt by
to 2.
incidentally. the eight Booth
newspapers, which usually lean Re-
publicanward, have had kind words
for the New York Governor.
Couzens and his old partner,
Henry Ford, have not helped Hoo
yer, despite efforts to get him on
the stump. Couzens refuses to
speak.
FOrd's Actions Hurt Hoover
He sat on the platform at the
state conveniently special request
but would not talk.
Though ne gave millions in
1928, he will not give penny this
year. He completely is out of SYM
pathy with the Hoover policies.
Ford'S action in cutting his IA
nous SIS day wage to 81 has caused
comment, especially as he an
nounced it on the same day that
Treasury Secretary Ogden Mills
told the state convention the de-
preston was nearing its end.
In the past, Ford has been the
buddy of Republican Presidents, and
his wage cut at this time has led
to speculation as to whether he
thinks Hoover'S cause hopeless, or
prefers Democratic victory
With almost every other auto
mobile manufacturer, he opposes