Evening star., 1936-08-23
COURT
KEYSTONE STATE
Pennsylvania Is Doubtful
for First Time in
Generation.
BY WALTER ID. ROOS.

HARRISBURG, Pa, August "a
Usually ignored by the principal can
didates in presidential years. Penn
sylvania is being courted by the big
shots" early in the campaign since it
has become a doubtful State" for
the first time in generation.
Within seven days the Keystone
State is acting as host to the NOM
inees of both major parties; while
Father Coughlin has made two hur-
ried sorties into her borders to pro-
mote the most publiciZed Of the
third party movements.
The most intensive ballot drive
which Pennsylvania Republicans have
planned in many year starts this
week end with Gov Landon's appear
ance to open his Eastern campaign.
Last week end President Roosevelt's
''non- political tour of the areas dam
aged in the March floods carried him
into the coal and steel section of the
west and the anthracite region Of the
northeast which are regarded as the
most fertile fields for Democratic
votes this year.
Republicans Plan Rally.
The Republicans are planning
rally for Landon in the eastern end
of the State, where the G. o. P. fight
will be opened by Col Knox at Allen
town September 5. The President is
scheduled tentatively for October
speeches in Scranton and Pittsburgh.
Democratic leaders, however, are
convinced it was politically wise that
the Presidents tour was "non-politi-
cal'' to the extent that he made no
addresses on political topics while in
the flooded area. They have been en-
couraged very materially by the size
of the crowds which lined the Presi-
| dents route to give him an ovation.
On the heels of the food tour, Dem
ocratic State chieftains this week went
/ to New York to confer with National
Chairman Farley about plans for the
later stages of the campaign. The
conference is expected to result in
two Pennsylvania campaign speeches
by the President.
The Democratic leaders plan to
have at least two of the Roosevelt
Cabinet members in the State before
long for speeches. Secretary of Agri-
culture Wallace is expected at some
big rural rally to discuss the whole
farm problem. Secretary Ickes is ex-
pected in the State to appeal to the
small business man for support of the
President.
Lewis to Make Speeches.
Information here is that the politi-
cal activities of John L. Lewis, mine
union president, will be concentrated
largely in Pennsylvania. He is ex-
pected to make series of speeches
in the Presidents behalf in the an
thracite counties of the northeast, and
the coal and steel counties of the
southwest.
The campaign which organized
labor will wage for the President in
Pennsylvania will be mapped this week
end in a convention here of the Penn
sylvania branch of Labor's Non-Par-
tisan League.
Pennsylvania Socialists, in conven-
ton here last week end, split. The
conservatives, the majority of the
party in this State, voted to "disaf-
filiate" from the national party which,
it charged, has consciously encour-
aged the admission of Communists u
The militant leftist" wing bolted the
State convention, held a rump meet
ing, and voted to continue afiliatior
with the national party. Both fac
tions announced they will continue to
support Norman Thomas, Socialist
naminee for President.
| Pennsylvania Townsendites also
held a convention here in which they
approved Representative William
Lemke as q presidential candidate. but
failed to indorse him.