Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-12
MANY CLOSE DISTRICTS
Politicians Unable to Gauge the
Labor Vote.
sHELD0N's APPEAL
Response to Call for $50
Contributions-Cha Culber-
son Pleased With Bryan Gains.

| NEW YORK, October 12.-There are
four main considerations which render
the House of Representatives in doubt
this election, as follows:
uncertainty as to the extent Of the
hostility of labor to the republican ticket.
Second, uncertainty as TO the extent
OF the revolt Of the negro vote.
Third. uncertainty as to the attitude OF
unemployed labor in holding the party in
power responsible.
Fourth. lack of aggressive issues and
concentrated political effort in the cam
paign.
Neither management is making str1k-
ing campaign for Congress. but is allow
Ing the congressional fight to trail along
with the presidency. Two years ago the
mand for the election of Il republican
House to support the hands of Roose-
welt anu continue the legislative work in
behalf of Roosevelt policies. 1t is true
that President Roosevelt has issued a
strong appeal to the voters to give Mr..
Taft republican House, but with that
| one utterance there has been no further
special effort to bestir the country on this
subject.
The republican national committee puts
| in ten words for the election Of repub-
| lican President for one word in behalf OF
| a republican House.
The republican congressional organiza.
ton committee, under the direction OF
Chairman Mckinley and Secretary Lou
| denslager. has done great deal Of work
at disadvantage. This work is of a
specialized character, directed to partici-
lar districts. The committee has been
hampered, however. by being overshad-
owed by the national committee. which
takes over the job and then minimizes it,
! The fact Of the matter is. the country
seems to be to a certain extent Indifferent
as to congress. There is no crying de-
mand for constructive legislation. In
fact. there Is Il suspicion that the coun-
try has been pretty well surfeited with
legislation. and will be glad to have a
! rest. Out west there is a demand for
tariff revision. but that will come any
! whatever the result of the presidential
and congressional elections. the tariff re-
vision will be just about what the wise
old owls in the Senate determine. Bust
ness interests do not seem to be excited
over Congress at ALL
The congressional situation at large is
very mixed. Republican nominees are
working might and main, all hampered by
the prevailing lack of campaign funds,
but at least sure that the opposition is not
any better off. The one great anxiety is
| to locate the labor vote and gauge the
| dissatisfaction of the unemployed.
! The silence of the labor classes is
ominous. They will not talk freely as OF
were a conspiracy Of silence to mislead the
politicians.
0ve- Ninety Close Districts.
There are between ninety and one hun
| dred close congressional districts scat
tered through the country. most of them
| in states which are now classed as doubt
full states. These districts are close in
the sense that the republican or demo-
cratic plurality in the last election was SO
slender that 1t would take but a slight
change in every voting precinct to bring
a reversal OF the political complexion in
this election.
There are thirty-two districts in which
the plurality in the last election was be-
low LOCO. running In cases as low as 2O0
and 400, out OF a total vote of %, 600 to
$1,000.
There are sixty-seven districts in which
the plurality was below 1000.
There are ninety districts in which it
was below 1900.
With this close vote and I'm the uncer-
tain conditions as outlined above. 1t is
easy to see that the managers of both
political organizations are deeply con-
cerned over the House of Representa-
tives.
Popular Subscriptions.
Whosoever's idea 1t was to have the
treasurer of the republican national COM
mittee make an appeal for $50 campaign
contributions. 1t Is working out finely.
Mr.. Sheldon sent out % 900 personal let
tiers. addressed to individuals. making an
appeal for 4JO from each The responses
coming In show that the appeal struck a
responsive chord. The suggestion that
the plain people rather than the great
corporations should make up a legitim te
working fund for the party seems to
have pleased them.
The big corporation does not want to
have the contribution published. Most of
their little check will be glad, it is argued,
to have their names published as con-
tributOrs to what they think a patriotic
cause.
Chairman Hitchcock Of the republican
national committee was asked today as to
the situation I'm Ohio. He answered with
an air of frankness: The reports from
certain specified sections of the state and
| some industrial centers have been dis
heartening.
but. when these are balanced with
| other reports and cast up as a whole thew
show that Ohio will give its electoral vote
to Taft"
Great Progress, Says Culberson.
Senator Cuiberson, chairman of the adj
visory committee OF the democratic ma
tional committee. made his first utterance
today on the progress Of the campaign.
In a statement to The Star correspondent
he said: "Since coming to New York in
August in connection with the national
campaign, and after looking into political
conditions here. the change of sentiment
toward Mr.. Bryan, as it developed from
week to week. has seemed to me remark
able. The indications published in the
World OF last Sunday OH the vote Of New
York state bear cut my personal OBSERVE
| ton and opinion. When it is remembered
! that Mr.. Bryan lost the state of New
York in 1900 by $4,000 plurality. the indi-
Gated plurality against him now of only
| 1000 is. under the circumstances. aston
ishing. particularly when looked at with
reference to the fact that the change has
| taken place In a large degree since his
| nomination In July.
| form upon which his candidacy is baseed.
most Of which appeals strongly to the
great body OF the people; in part to the
manly and eloquent campaign he Is MAX
| Ing: in part to the practical unificatiOn of
! the democratic party. and in part to the
passing away Of the apprehension among
| the unprejudiced OF all parties who con-
duct legitimate business that his election
would produce commercial and Industrial
| Disaster.
| Assuming that the tables Of the World
are accurate and reliab le and that the
process adopted In estimating the vote
/ not shown in the responses is correct,
| still when the silent and non-committa al
| vote, which Is greateTe than in any re-
| cent campaign, is considered. the outlook
| for Mr. Bryan Is even more favorable
than appears from the figures OF the
World.