In Pennsylvania

For feinting and footwork, a good boxing match is not a patch upon a national political campaign. Both parties have feinted several times already--the G. O. P. in the South, the Democrats in New England and the Midwest. Last week, biggest feint of the season, National Democratic Chairman Raskob visited that keystone of the Republican arch, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has not gone Democratic since the Civil War. It gave Hughes 200,000 plurality over Wilson, Harding 700,000 over Cox, Coolidge almost a million over Davis. Nevertheless, Mr. Raskob held happy conclave with Philadelphia Democrats and, as the New York Times put it, "gave them self-respect."

It was a notable gathering that met at the Racquet Club. There were as many Republicans as Democrats, notably Charles Kendrick, brother of Freeland Kendrick, Philadelphia's Mayor-before-last, and Robert Kelso Cassatt, son of onetime President A. J. Cassatt of the Pennsylvania R. R. Mr. Raskob succeeded in enrolling several of them on a Philadelphia citizens' Smith-for-President committee headed by Samuel Rea (Democrat), another onetime Pennsylvania R. R. president, to combat the Hooverizing of the Pennsylvania's present president, Gen. William Wallace Atterbury, Republican National Committeeman. Despair at G. O. P. Boss William S. Vare was one reason why many a Philadelphia Republican was ready to change party, but Mr. Raskob did not dwell on Vareism in his luncheon talk. Instead he talked about Nominee Smith as a "human engineer." He talked about workmen and "good wholesome beer." He said: "I think there is a feeling among the working people that Prohibition does not prohibit, but merely affects them, while those with better financial means are not affected by it."

When he returned from Philadelphia to Manhattan, Mr. Raskob said: "It seems like claiming a lot to claim Pennsylvania for the Democrats but ... all I can say is that the tremendous enthusiasm in Philadelphia and in Pittsburgh ... etc., etc." A you-have-my-hearty-support telegram was made public which Nominee Smith had received from Richard R. Quay, Pittsburgh businessman, son of the late Matthew Stanley Quay who was Pennsylvania's Republican boss and Senator for 18 years and onetime National Republican Chairman.

Unlikely though it seemed that the Democrats' Pennsylvania feint could be followed by a blow, the Republicans "covered up." Passing through Pittsburgh, Nominee Hoover said: "Pittsburgh is a Republican stronghold, and we require all our strongholds in this contest." Nominee Curtis planned to go this week to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's capital, and make a speech.