Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-29
Protracted Campalgning.

Repeatedly in the past complaint ha;
been voiced by Americans that tht
political campaigns. particularly those
for the presidency, are too protracted
With nominations made in June ano
the elections occurring in November four
months are devoted to the procedure
of arousing the electorate on the issues
between the parties and the personal
tiles of the candidates. This period, II
has often been urged. is too long.
II is now about two months since the
second OF the major parties named Its
candidates for President and Vice
President. and slightly longer since its
rival put its ticket in nomination. And
only now is the campaign under head
way. These past two months have been
occunied with organization work and
with formal notifications and accept
ancas. The candidates are just engag-
ing in their respective activities III be-
half of their own bids for votes. But
for ali purposes Of agitation and arousal
the campaign has been in progress since
the first Of the two national tickets vas
named
Both major nominating conventions
were held in hot weather. the second
one in a particularly torrid city. Had
these meetings been held at about the
present time. in late August, the dele
gates would have suffered far less IN
discomfort ard physical distress. Mott
fcations and acceptances could have
been FASTENED and for ali practical pur-
poses the campaign could have been as
effectively put under Roadway TO the
present state.
It is evident that with the develop
u1ent of the radio there will be less
'"stumping" by candidates and their
supporting spellbinders than in earlier
tires. when there was no such means OF
spreading the gospel by word Of mouth
over lin1itless areas. 1t is 10 be ques-
toned whether the people would be less
fully informed regarding the merits OF
the contestants for the presidency in
a campaign of two months than in one
Of four months. with consideration Tor
the use Of the sether" for the broad
easting Of views and declarations.
Just now there is evidence that the
campaign is going to cost an unprec-
edented sum Of money. Estimates OF
the financial resources Of the two
parties run high into the millions OF
dollars. A shortening Of the campaign,
bv having the nominations made in
late August or early September, would
perhaps have the effect Of reducing the
budgets Of the parties and thereby les
sening the drain upon the pockets OF
the people.
A wide range of view occurs in this
matter. In some States nominations
for local Offices are made four or five
months ahead Of election. In others
tnev are made after the presidential
tickets are chosen. California has just
held its primaries, two months later
than the naming Of the national tickets.
Il is a fair assumption that the issues
and qualifications of the candidates in
California win be as fully exploited and
csnYassed as in those other States in
which the primaries and conventions
we're held before the Summer solstice.
Just so with the national campaign.
By print. by wire, By radio the questions
ct issue can be fully expounded within
3 period OF two months, perhaps more
effectively than if stretched out over
four.
II seems anomalous for this country
10 continue TO follow custom which
vas established In the days before the
telegraph and Of course long before the
development Of the radio. Business has
adjusted to the new conditions. Why
should not politics. which Is the coun-
try's most important business, be
edapted 70 the new situation?