The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1924-08-28
Our Washington Letter
1
National Editorial Association Spec
ial to the Herald

PO1 u COl1G 14Sh4iAAS liiJO DdIIy HGdO
quarters here that indicate wide
spread uncertainty as to the numer
ical strength of the various partie
in the new congress. Despite the un
firing eloquence of the professiona
campaigners, the real leaders ar,
bordering over the problem of con
gressional control. The retiremen-
of Representative Young, of Nortl
Dakota, to accept a judicial appoint
ment and the death of Senator Colt
of Rhode Island, narrows the ad.
mlnistration's margin in the legis.
lative assembly and brings out a real
fight for these two seats. The two
major parties are equally concerned
as both are DESTROYS of maintaining
a hold on the legislative branch of
the government. 1t is difficult for
an administration to fulfill campaign
promises with a hostile congress.
1t has been said that it is easier
for men to speak the truth and that
they arc more inclined to do so shan
utter falsehoOd. This popular max
I'm IS often reversed in politics.
Stories are current in Washington
that the voters are becoming more
critical and exacting in their de-
mands for definite statements on
politics. This change on the part of
the public is often a source of en-
barrassment to "stump" speakers,
who heretofore have capitalized
heavily in the formation of hasty
conclusions from insufficient data.
The extension 0 f%education facilities
is gradually reducing the number
of individuals who possess credulous
dispositions. No longer does the
public change it's opinions merely
from %''hearing voices" With these
manifestations of having the voters
think on problems which vitality af-
feet their civic life, there has been
an appreciate decline in the pre-
dictions of campaign officials. The
bosses and the delivered" vote are
elements which are admittedly on
their way out of American politics.
There T certain localities, how
ever, where the voters permit petty
politicians to do their thinking in X
change for liberal patronage. 1t
would require a remarkably sanguine
temperament to contemplate the
complete abolition of these factors.
The usual stormy colloquy be- !
tween rivals for public offices is
about due as the candidates begin
their tours of the country. In fact,
observers here say that it is high {
time that the activity should be in {
tensified to keep potential voters I
aroused until November. The atti- \
tude taken by General Dawes is tax /
en- to mean that the republicans will t
be more aggressive than defensive t
IN their farfare. The national lead =
srs located here for the summer /,
months are Specializing as to the out a
come of the Dawes tactics in carry +
ne war into the LaFollette camp +
which. the candidate charged, was
made up of q n0ndescript following.
It is certain that the general did not p
himself to the present con-
gress with his complaint that the /
.ssembly had too many demagogues.
Governor Bryan, the democratic
ice-presidential nominee, has taken
/ different attitude and made a play
or the farmer vote. He has revived
he tariff issue which, it seems, was F
considered a relatively unimportant
ssue. during the preliminary cam
With Mr.. LaFollette and
lis running mate, Senator Wheeler,
appealing to the farmer against the
lids of both parties, it will be noted "
hat the agriculturist is a mighty r
trong factor in deciding the cleo o
ion. it
While everybody is trying to boil a
ter up the economic condition of the d
.uralists, some are equally disturbed n
,ver the vote in the industrial cen
ers. The reports Of the various Ct
ederal agencies issued last week e.
hOws that "hard times" continues in a.
localities. Employment fell by ST
our per cent during July and wages v
ook a drop of nearly eight per cent. t.
attribute these declines to e.
easonal changes such as inventories in
nd vacations. But, the old-time W
ampaign slogan of the "full dinner c;
all" is something to consider. Econ ii
have explanations for the I'M al
Employment in presidential years" w
ut the wage-earner ,out of a job, is d.
OF easily convinced. The party al
Lanagers have these items to handle w
turning out the vote.
The sediment of the Preparations ii
sue has given rise to interesting w
lscussions here as to the possible 10
fleets on the international issue up M
4 the electorate. It has been argued r.
some quarters that the readjust- ar
ent of European finances will be
slow to exercise any material in
uence on the coming election. 1t
said that the refunding of debts ga
i'll eventually lower taxes in this IN
The claim is also advanced ia
lat balanced budgets are necessary IS
Europe can square her in tr
ebtedness to the United States and as
Iese steps cannot be accomplished tn
1ernight. The Preparations subject fe
i'll undoubtedly provoke a contro- III
srsy but domestic matters will nat an
ally predominant in the end. tn
It is reported that discussion is wi
NV turning to the possibilities of SCI
e present congress acting as ar sh
ter of the elections, assuming that ha
e LaFollette candidacy will com nj;
- --.AL1,. p IL 49,