Evening star., 1928-11-01

n lonS-ClStance DEBATE between Mr.
Hoover and Gov. Smith on the charge
OF the former that the New York execu-
t1ve has indorSed Socialistic ideas has
| been made one of the outstanding Incl
dents Of the presidential campaign. The
particular policies involved relate to
farm relief, water power and prohibi-
ton, on which a general editorial debate
was opened up by the Hoover speech
in New York, followed by the Smith
speech in Boston.
The glorification of individual initia-
tive which the New York Times inde-
pendentD finds in the Hoover utter
ances impels that paper to suggest that
the Republican candidate agrees with
Jefferson in the belief that "the func-
tions of the Government at Washington
should be reduced to minimum" and
the Times concludes: "Old-fashioned
Democrats might well welcome Mr..
Hoover as recent convert to their
faith. What reception it will have
among orthodox Republicans, with their
paternalistic shrines, the future may re-
veal"
X X X X
Both speakers get scant approval from
the Chicago Daily News independent, /,
which observes: They admit many ex-
ceptions to the principle of personal or
local freedom and non-interference with
business. Both are pragmatic and prac-
tical. Neither, consequently is justified
in throwing stones at the other" Also
criticizing both candidates, the Roch-
ester Times-U independently, after
stating that Gov. Smith made a clever
reply" comments: state Socialism is
vague term, and calling given program
'SoclaliStic' Is not an argument. The
question is whether it has merit and
will work to the ultimate benefit of the
public. Applying these tests to the farm
relief and prohibition modification pro-
posals of Gov. Smith. it does seem that
he is promising more than he can ac-
complish."
MIR. Hoover's speech contains the
clearest and fullest exposition of the
evils of government in private business
that We have ever heard or read" de-
clares the San Francisco Chroniele Gin
dependenD, yet the Atlanta Journal
Democratic), holding that Mr. Hoover
kept carefully away from the issues"
contends that his New York address
stands unparalleled as an example of
the art of words without meaning"
"Hoover's address was a broad state
ment of political philosophy. 1t was
striking presentation of the reasons
for American progress and American
prosperity" in the opinion of the Gin
cinnati Times-Star (Republican), and
the San Antonio Express Independent
Democratic) argues as to its subject
that experience has proved that gov
ernment in business leads to stagnation.
stiles initiative and fosters corruption"
On the other hand, citing Gov. Smiths
Boston references to Republican leaders
whose views were similar to his own,
the Brooklyn Daily Eagle independently
and Montgomery Advertiser Demo
cratic) assert that the Smith counter
attack was devastating to Mr.. Hoover"
The Chattanooga Times (independent
Democratic) also credits the Democrats
candidate with having "bowled over the
Republican nominee and riddled his
New York speech"
I'm the comment on the address there
is wide agreement that the appeal was
one of the most forceful Mr.. Hoover
has presented, says the Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette (Republican), while the
st. Paul Pioneer Press independently
commendS it as "a brilliant contribution
to political economy and constructive
craftsmanship" and the Morgantown
New Dominion Independently believes
that ito sound political economy by
wise political craftsmanship Herbert
Hoover points the way, and we believe
the only true way"
Upon the other side of the question
the ST. Louis Post-Dispatch (independ-
ent) asserts ''Mr. Hoover set up a
straw man, SocialiStic bugaboo. to
frighten business and then knocked it
down to prove that he and his own
party were the only defenders of our
present industrial, commercial and social
system. 1t was demagogic effort that
will fool only the unthinking." The
Newark Evening News independent
comments on the Smith reply: He
made the charges hurled by Mr.. Hoover
rebound, proving that they fit Mr..
Hoover's own party associates Mr..
Hoover was made to appear either un-
aware or unappreciative of the extent
to which his party has taken UP with
the Sociallstic idea he abhors and which
he tried to fasten on Mr. Smith,
Y x X
'Mr. Hoover took an hour and half
to say that he holds to the general
theory of government held by the large
majority OF the American people, ire
spective of party" insists the Roanoke
WOA NAiAAUPCAlASt&t j.
Confidence in Mr.. Hoover's policies
and their relation to prosperity and
general progress is expressed by the Los
Angeles Express (Republican) and
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (Re-
publican). Support of his belief that
private enterprise rather than Govern
ment action Is necessary to the welfare
of the country Is given by many papers.
including the Oakland Tribune tRepuh-