ON ELECTION EVE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 503, 5 November 1928, Page 9

ON ELECTION EVE

SMITH AND HOOVER FINAL POLICY SPEECHES (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyinght) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) NEW YORK, Saturday. The Republican and Democrat candidates for the Presidency of the United States, Mr. Herbert Hoover and Mr. Al. Smith, this evening delivered what were virtually their final policy speeches before the poll, which is to take place on Tuesday. Mr. Hoover, spoke at Pueblo,, Colorado, and Mr. Smith in Madison Square Garden, New York. The Democrat candidate gave a pledge that he would not interfere with the tariff. He denied that property values would ebb under his administration. He reiterated his promise to aid the farmer, and again outlined his attitude on prohibition. Mr. Smith attacked the Republican record in regard to Labour. He condemned the Ku Klux Klan and the Anti-saloon League as allies of the Republicans.

Mr. Hoover laid stress upon the danger of the introduction of a competitive tariff under the Democrats. He recounted the accomplishments of the Republicans in regard to the limitation of armaments and international peace, and claimed that they had greatly reduced the national debt and aided national prosperity. He expressed approval of the protective immigration laws. PARTIES' ESTIMATES

Naturally both the Republicans and the Democrats claim a coming victory. In their final estimates the Democrats insist that Mr. Smith will obtain popular majorities In 37 States, with a total electoral vote of 402. They conceded to Mr. Hoover majorities only In seven States, with a total electoral vote of 57, and say four States with 72 electoral votes are doubtful.

The Republicans, on the other hand, claim that Mr. H. Hoover will carry 36 States, with 409 electoral votes. They concede to Mr. Smith 12 States, with 122 electoral votes.

An independent canvass of the sentiment throughout the nation gives the following more conservative estimates: Mr. Smith-, 22 States, with 213 votes: Mr. Hoover, 60 States, with 213 votes; ten doubtful States, with 105 votes.

It is interesting to note that the Republicans’ estimate concedes the entire 12 so-called “solid South” States to Mr. Smith. This is in accordance with the Democrats’ claims. However, independent observers include the following four Southern States among the doubtful ones: Florida, Texas, Virginia, and Tennessee.

A majority of 266 electoral college votes is necessary for election to the Presidency. COOLIDGE’S CONFIDENCE

A message from Washington says the President, Mr. Coolidge, after hearing Mr. Hoover speak over the radio, sent a telegram to the Republican candidate, saying: “Your success iu the campaign seems to be assured. I shall turn over the great office of President of the United States to your safe keeping, and am sure it will he in competent hands, in which the welfare of the people will be secure. “Your addresses have disclosed breadth of information, maturity of thought, and very sound conclusions on public questions, which have never been surpassed in any previous presidential campaign. You have knowledge and judgment, which have enabled you to tell the people the truth. “You have been clear, candid, and courteous, and have demonstrated your faith in the people, and your consciousness that truth has a power and a conclusiveness of its own which is always supreme.”