Evening star., 1926-08-19
TO Be
SLOGAN OF c. 0. P
"Let Well Enough Alone
Main Talking Point in Con-
greSsionaI Race.
by DAVID LAWRENCE.

"Prosperity," the good old sloGaH
the past for both the Democratic and
Republican parties. is to he the domi-
nant issue of the congressional cam
paign which Is just beginning. Along
with il goes economy. but the din
culties Of explaining the latter on the
stump and its lack Of dramatic value
have made ii secondary.
Basically. the Republican party is
going TO the country tn ask for its
continuance in power on the ground
that II is hetter to 'let we'll enough
alone" Except for spots here and
there in the agricultural areas, the
claim of the Republican leaders is
that the Nation is uniformly prosper
GUS To offset the impression that
there is distress in the farm areas.
the Strategists Of the campaign have
been working overtime. They think
it is most important to change the
public impression about what has
been happe ling and is happening in
the West
Publicity Is Advocated.
While the corn belt leaders have
been arguing for farm relief. the Re
NdittdiSIl N'hiitlli''VV IH'
been urging President Coolidge and
others to give due publicity Ia the
rather favorable conditions which are
seen in large sections of the West
Every high official of the Govern
ment who returns from the West
comes out with an interview that
conditions are much better than had
been described President Coolidge
himself has had letters from impor-
tant business leaders in the West
telling Of the favorable economic con
dtions there. Instead of giving out
these letters for publication. Mr. cool
idge has invited some of the writer's
thereof to come to Paul Smiths. where
group of correspondents is eager
to write whatever they will say. This
gives il added emphasis, because any
thing that happens at the doorstep
OF President of the United States
gets more publicity than interviews
given elsewhere.
The Democrats are enyi"r. of all
this publicity. but they themselves.
when in power. had some strategists :
at work planting interviews AT the
White House doors for the political
effect that could he derived therefrom
So the answer can he given that the
whole process is a legitimate part Of
the political game.
Other Callers to Come
Mr.. Coolidge has had series Of
visitors, beginning with Edsel Ford,
who is presumed to know from the
sale of autos what is happening in
the farm areas He has scheduled for
later in the season other callers who
know economic and business condi-
tions. Mr.. iIoOver's report on the
business outlook. made after careful
study of data available here is
counted upon by the Repuhlican
workers to he convincing evidence of
their claim that the Nation truly is
prosperous.
Gen. Lord director of the budget
has made his usual trip tn the sum.
mer White House to go over the es
Inmates. This he is obliged to do in
order to get ready for September re-
visions. His visit yielded the informa-
tion that estimates again had heen
cut. all Of which empha sizes the econ
omy policy of the administration.
Prefer q. q. r. Responsibility.
Mr.. Coolidge has not vet let it ne
known what part he personally will
play in aiding individual members of
Congress to he reelected, hut his gen
eral policy for assisting in the cleo
tion of a Republican Congress already
is in operation. II consists i'm empha-
sizing the prosperous condition of the
country. so that the voters will not
develop a mood for change hut will
feel inclined 10 let things GO on as
they are in Congress.
Generally speaking. the Democrats
are anxious to make gains, but private.
ly they. too. would prefer that the re
sponsibility for the conduct OF Con
eress shall rest with the Republican
party for antoehr two years. so that
in 1928. when the whole four year rec
ord is examined there can he no cry
that the Democrats had control Of one
or even two houses Of Congress q nd
thus blocked legislative progress.
(CopyrRht. 1921