Evening star., 1925-05-27
Politics at Large
By N. 0. Messenger.

Government has been vaCCinated is
taking" with the people in their do
mestic affairs. This is noticed to such
an extent that the question is being
asked whether trade and banking may
not be deleteriously affected. Partic-
ular lines of trade, wholesale and re-
tail, are cited as alleged instances of
curtailment of orders and dullness Of
trade, due to an economy wave that
has set in among the buyers.
Politicians. however. are not con-
corning themselves about these re-
ports and are still for economy all
along the line as safe political bet.
bound to accrue to the benefit of the
party in power and the administration.
They recognize that the American peo-
pie are prone when they take up a
policy to "go the limit" in carrying 1t
out. Moreover. the politicians claim it
Will do the people good" in the long
run to keep down extravaganza in
their domestic affairs.
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Politicians in both parties. Demo-
cratic and Republican, are still intent
upon the fixed idea of reducing tax
alton in the next Congress. Indeed.
they are competing with each other as
to which party will have the credit
for making the sharpest cuts in tax
at the change which has come over
the spirit of the legislators in recent
years
The days of the pork barl" and the
public building graft are noticeably
moderated. Time was when every
year there was scramble for river
and harbor appropriations and authori-
zation of public buildings which pro-
duced more or less scandal. Nova
laxr l.
on a more businesslike basis in pro-
viding only the necessary in river and
harbor improvements and a similar
policy in supplying the needs of the
Government in public buildings.
The spirit of the budget is being
carried out rather than catering to the
fancied needs of constituencies. Log
rolling by members of Congress Is on
the Wane to the undoubted improve
ment Of the finances of the Govern
ment.
In the next Congress it is expected
that prohibition will again come up for
agitation. The policy of the admins
tration to more vigorously enforce the
national prohibition law is attracting
Nationwide attention. What is going
on at present is regarded by the poll
ticians as a test to demonstrate
whether enforcement is possible.
The recent drive against smuggling
on the Atlantic coast is classed as
being a demonstration that enforce
ment is possible. AS the drive spreads
to other sections, and if it is main
tanned with the same degree of sue
cess. il is thought that the prohibition.
lists will be strengthened in their claim
that there must be no sanction by
Congress of a weakening of the law.
The antis are counted upon to make
an outcry against the staggering costs
Of enforcement at a time when econ
omy in governmental expenses is the
word.
There is every prospect that the
next Congress will be presented with
staggering bill. but the prohibition
lists will claim that the test now in
progress is worth the price Of ad-
mission
Following the announcement Of the
forthcoming publication by the Demo
cratic national committee of a Demo
cratic national weekly was the appear
ance this week of a monthly magazine
by New York Democratic women. The
activities Of Democratic women in up
State counties, as well as in the city,
are to be reported, and Democratic
tenets presented for consideration of
all woman voters Of the State.
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The fight Of Mayor Hylan of New
York City for denomination continues
to occupy the center Of the political
stage. 1t grows in intensity week by
week, with Mayor Hylan at this time
meeting increased opposition. That
he is losing ground in his stubbornly
maintained contention that he must
be given the nomination is evidenced
by the second appearance this week
Of William r. Hearst in the mayors
behalf. Several weeks ago he allied
himself with Mayor Hylan by de-
manding that he be renominated by
the Democratic organization or would
be run as an independent candidate.
The tone Of Mr.. Hearst's demand at
that time was belligerent. Now he Is
more moderate in his demand and is
reSorting more to coaxing than to
threatening. In a letter in the New
York American. Mr.. Hearst set out to
refute the widely circulated claims
that Gov. Smith is actively opposing
the mayors denomination. He point
ed out that there are a number Of
great offices to be filled within the
next few years and the Democratic
party, he claimed. is going to I'LL them
II conditions remain as favorable as
they are now.
He said that these favorable con-
ditions exist because of the records
of Mayor Hylan and Gov. Smith and
that these men naturally are in line
for some of the Offices II the party
remains powerful and conditions re-
main harmonious. He said that the
mayor of the City of New York is
to be elected, the Governor of the
State of New York be chosen, a
United States Senator from New
York to be elected and there is a
President of the United States to be
elected, who will probably be a
Democratic President"
He pointed out that all of the can
didates can be supplied by the Demo
cratic party and all Of them can be
elected If there is harmony and the
same wise and able leadership the
party has recently had. Mr.. Hearst
fiouted the suggestion that Gov.
Smith upon his late visit to New
York City accentuated his alleged
opposition to Mayor Hylan. He toss
ed a bouquet to Gov. Smith by say
ing that unquestionably Gov. Smith
went about his business attending to
his duties in his characteristic, ca
pable way" without quarreling with
the mayor. nor did the mayor quar-
rel with him.
He prophesied that Undoubtedly
both will continue to go about their
business and beyond a question Of
a doubt the Democratic party will
go on its way harmoniously and pro-
coed to elect it's candidates" Mr..
Hearst's letter Is reported as having
been received in Tammany as part
of the Hylan campaign to use the
party harmony to stem the tide of
opposition to the mayors renomina-
ton.
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