The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-10-31
KEEPING UP
With
THE NEWS
BY LUDWELL DENNY

6CllpDa-HOWhIQ NeWeDHOeR2.
1929
XXTASHINGTON. Oct. 31.-That
w lucky prosperity wind, which
seems to be blowing Herbert Hoov-
er toward the White House, is
holding out. This explains, as
much as anything, the last minute
serenity of G. o. P. campaign man
ayers.
Smith outwardly has been getting
the "breaks" during the last two
crucial campaign weeks - with
plumbers by Republican Chairman
Work, the bolt of the western pro- ,
gressive Republican leader, Senator
Norris, and the enthusiastic Demo-
cratic demonstrations in New En-
gland, But the truth seems to be
that this apparent luck is really the
result of astute planning and hard
work by Al.
In contrast, Hoover is more OF
less sitting around doing nothing,
with the idea that Smith may get
the applause, but majority of vot-
ers are not apt to change parties
so long as Republican prosperity
continues.
When the presidential race start
ed that Republican prosperity
was not much to brag about, G. o.
P. attempts to laugh off the unem-
ployment situation were none too
hilarious or convincing Smith was
all prepared to make hard times'
a major issue.
Unemployment reached a total of
between four and five million In
the early spring, despite alleged
erroneous figures given out by Re-
publican Secretary of Labor Davis.
the Democrats charged.
lust when the Republicans were
~ beginning to get worried, BUSH
ness started to pick up. And month
by month, through the campaign,
the improvement has continued. To
be sure, the Republicans have
helped it along a bit by what the
Democrats call propaganda.
But in the main it seems to be
one of those lucky breaks" which
so often determine national cleo
lions.
Some persons are certain there
will be slump after election, but
that will not help Al then.
Business pessinists point to a re-
port issued today by the federal re-
serve board on wholesale distribu-
ton stating:
When allowance is made for the
seasonal increase usual in this
month (September), wholesale sales
in nine lines reporting to the fed
eral reserve system, show a decline
of 4 per cent from August In COM
parison with the same month a year
ago, the volume of wholesale dis
tribution in September was slightly
smaller.
Seven Of the nine lines reported
decreases in sales, varying from less
than 2 per cent in the case of
groceries to about IA per cent in the
case Of shoes. Six of the nine
lines of trade showed decreases
during the first nine months of this
year as compared with the same
period in 1927"
A THOUGH that discouraging
L N straw may, or may not, be
significant for the future, practically
all official and unofficial surveys Of
the general business situation in
dictate present prosperity Typical of
monthly report from reserve bank
there is the federal reserve board
members, issued yesterday. 1t stated:
Industrial production increased
further in September, and the out
put of manufacturers was in larger
volume than in any previous month.
Factory employment and pay rolls
also increased.
Production of iron and steel and
| Of automobiles was unusually large
during September and October, all
though there recently has been some
curtailment of operations in these
industries"
Production increases also we're
reported in the textile, mest-pack-
ing and tire industries, and in the
output of copper, petroleum and
coal.
Building contracts, after declining
for three months, increased sharply
during September to a level eXceedz
ing all previous records for the
month.