The Washington herald., 1915-07-13
wilson Strong,
CANVASS SHOWS
Observers Throughout Coun-
try Say He Is Mightier
Than His Party.
ECONOMIC IDEAS RAPED
Future Developments Will Determine
His Chances in 1916. Assert
Leaders.

States than is his party. He is stronger
than he was six months ago, due gen.
orally to his treatment of the European
war situation, particularly the Lusltania
incident. Whether or not this popularity
Is OF a kind that can be turned to polit-
ical account in the election in 1916 is
uncertain. depending largely upon future
developments in the foreign relations OF
the United States. The Presidents eco
nomic and domestic policies and his Mex
lean record are unpopular.
These conclusions are based upon let
tiers received in response to inquiries
sent out by the New York Suns Wash
ington bureau to more than 800 political
friends and acquaintance throughout
the country. 1t was feature of the can
Nass conducted to ascertain Presidential
preferences. the political situation and
business conditions. These inquiries
were sent to all classes of people for the
purpose of getting varied points of view.
and to men OF all shades of political be-
lief.
Senators Are Questioned.
Some of them we're Senators and Rep
reSentatives, others formerly prominent
in national or State politics. Bankers
seat lawyers. country editors. as well as
editors Of large magazines and farm
weeklies, are included in the list of cor
In the 500 letters sent out were
these questions:
Is President Wilson strong with
the people, or weak. and if he Is
weak. what are the causes?
Is the business situation i'm
proving?
Reports on business conditions are
much of the same character as those
that have come to the Federal Re-
serve Board. In the agricultural COM
the people are not complain
ing, rule. but in industrial To-
calities there is depression except in
hose particular industries engaged in
the manufacture of war supplies.
Crops are promising, and the farmers
appear to be reasonably prosperous
and happy.
In the agricultural localities the
President is, therefore, strong politi-
ally. He is very strong in the States
IF Minnesota. the Dakota, Nebraska.
iowa and California In New England
md the East generally the President.
while admired for his stand on the
European situation, is less popular.
The business depression seems still TO
De lingering in the minds OF the
'oters in those sections of the coun- |
ry. The same is true in a lesser |
legree in the Middle West.
In California his strength Is due to the |
disruption of the Republican party. the
riumph of the Progressive party. and. |
n a mea sure to the fact that California
las not felt the same business depres-
lion prevailing in other States for the
hot hav oh
great deal of money into the State
md kept things moving. In the other
states named the Presidents popularity
s due to good crops. high prices and the
act that agriculture is the basis of the
'eople's prosperity.
Strong in North Dakota.
i've who has been speaking In the State
4 North Dakota writes as follows:
Wilson is very strong out here. The
armers are prosperous. the price Of
Wheat is high, prospects for good crop
xcellent and President Wilson's con-
uct of our troubles with Germany has
him very greatly"
A Progressive Republican and a friend
Z Senator la Toilette writes from Wis
onsin as follows:
president Wilson is very strong in
Wisconsin, but the continued depression
likely to weaken him as candidate
t the polls
A Democratic leader in Southern Cali
ornia. man whose judgment is good.
rites:
president Wilson undoubtedly would
AIRY this State today against any OPP
onent"
A Republican editor in Central Indiana
rites:
president Wilson is very strong in
1diana He is stronger today than he
yer was. The people out here are stand
TX by the President in every move he Is
taking in his foreign policy. Wilson
ill be a hard man to beat no matter
hat happens. but every one out this
ay is dead set against a Democratic
ongress. Business is punk. and every
llow has been hard hit" :
Wilson Personally Popular.
One of the leading editors in the
tate of Washington. a regular Re-
lblican, sends the following candid
atement:
president Wilson is personally pop r
lar because of his evident purpose
follow a course that will keep .
out of the European war. His /
,litical policies are unpopular. The
riff and canal tolls questions will :
issues that will seriously handicap
10 President in the State of Wash
gton If he is candidate for re-
ection."
The president OF a leading national y
Ink in one Of the largest cities of the
ate OF Washington and a very active
epublican. writes that II the election
ere held now President Wilson would
reelected. so far as the sentiment in
q ship vfon cOuld determine II III
From Wisconsin. Oklahoma, Missouri 8
Id many other States comes the in =
rmation that the President is universal j
commended for his policy In dealing p
It'll the European war situation, except
nong some of the German-Americans. a
It that his Mexican policy IL unpopular p
ID his popularity has been greatly af- G.
cted by depression of business in in
strial communities. G
A Republican banker in Central Illinois n
rites:
The business situation is not improv-
Z, and when you consider the large
ops and good prices and that this is =
agricultural country. / am surprised.
lie people seem to have a good deal Of
nfidence in the President because Of
uation. but as to all other policies they fl
e critics.'' ~
the list Of letters there II IL
Q suggestion that President Wilson Is I,
longer than his party. that he Is held I;
high personal esteem by all classes
d that he has increased his popularity ID
recent international policies In many c,
,alities the Republicans say frankly "
1t unless q proper choice 10 made of Il
candidate against him the President II
II be successful. 1t Ii evident that II o.