Evening star., 1940-10-27
Too Close 10 Guess,
New York Probably
Will Elect President
Indications Are Stote
Will Be Doubtful
Until Votes Are Counted
By {. Special Correspondent of The Star

BY q Special Correspondent Of The Star.
NEW YORK, Oct. 26.-Led by the
presidential candidates, Republicans
and Democrats opened an "all out"
campaign here during the week in
an attempt to win New York State S
all-important Al electoral votes on
November 5.
With the Empire State quite in the
doubtful column and with every
indication that it will remain so
right down to election day, both
parties were fighting it out without
quarter While both publicly claim
the State, they are deeply con-
cerned privately The Republicans
readily admit that it is the key
State in the election, that without
it Wendell L. Willkie cannot be
elected, while the Democrats, hold
ing that the President could be re-
elected without it. would feel much
safer if they could capture it.
Consequently both are exerting
every possible effort here. The
Republicans, encouraged by the
Nation wide resurgence of the
Willkie campaign, have taken the
offensive locally. Mr.. Willkie, re-
turning to the city Wednesday and
again today for an intensive per-
sonal appearance campaign, has
spanked the local Republican forces
to an enthusiasm equalling that Of
his early post-convention days. The
Republican organization have laid
aside their various differences and
are working night and day in close
cooperation.
Democrats in Action.
The Democrats, who seemed to
become aware only a few days ago
that they stand a chance of losing
the State, have snapped out OF
their apparent unconcern and are
actively at work. The President S
visit here Monday, when he will
make a tour of several sections of
the city and speak in the evening
at a rally at Madison Square Gar
den, is counted on to recapture his
strength. But the Democrats are
worried, and some observers feel
that their belated drive might not
be sufficient TO overcome inroadS
made by the Willkie campaign.
Both sides turned out their lead
ing speakers. The Republicans were
bolstered by former Governor
Alfred E. Smith, Democratic pres
idential candidate in 1928 and
staunch foe Of the New Deal, who
gave his first campaign speech in
favor of Mr.. Willkie in Brooklyn
Wednesday night.
The Democrats drafted Governor
Lehman for an upstate speaking
tour. Henry A. Wallace, vice-pres-
idential candidate, is making an
upstate tour today and will come
to the city tomorrow. Senators
Barkley of Kentucky and Byrnes Of
South Carolina, regarded as New
Deal trouble shooters" arrived in
the city during the week to confer
with Edward j. Flynn, Democratic
NdIlUIldl SOlllllllltCC ClldiA Aldil. AIM
the President will come in on
Monday.
More Women Register.
The Republican forces in the city
appeared to gain slight advantage
during the week when breakdown
of the city's record registration Of
3,388,74l revealed that of the 488 557
increase over 1886, 3l0,476 of it was
due to new women registrants. The
increased feminine interest was
ascribed by most observers to con-
cern over conscription and the pos
sibility of involvement in war. On
this basis, the surprising percentage
of new potential women voters was
regarded as more likely to help Mr..
Willkie than President Roosevelt.
Political forecasters here, how
ever, are becoming more and more
wary of even guessing at the out
come in New York. They are
unanimous in the opinion that the
State at present is "anybody's race
New York'S At electoral votes
probably will elect the next Presi-
dent, but who will win them comes
down at present to that time-worn
phrase, your guess is as good as
any ones"