Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1928-08-10
ORR WASHINGTON LETTER
CFrOm National Editorial ASSOcidtiOHl
ESPECIAL TO CHRONICLE

washington, August S.-Political
prophets whose wishes are usually
father to the thought are in their
heydey. Their representations
shouted from the house tops for the
purposes of personal publicity and
gain fail to carry weight with the
real leaders of the campaigns for
the Presidency. Trained observers
returning to the Capital after extern
sive tours are unanimous that at
present the contest is close and
bOthersome to the politicians from
the national campaign manager
down to the ward committeeman
and precinct worker. These impair
tial observers report that every
where the question is asked re-
garding the relative chances of
Herbert @. Hoover and Alfred E..
Smith. The real assessment can
not be made until late in October.
The ballyhoo has not started as
the main campaign hinges on the
development of the notification cere-
monies during the next few weeks.
The business of building machines
has many a problem for both par
ties. Cliques struggling for control
of the party campaign have given
the candidates and their aides con-
siderable trouble. 1t requires the
utmost tact to keep the important
leaders satisfied with their allOt-
ment of power and money. With the
announcement that huge sums
would be available for the conduct
of the campaign, leaders, actual
and self-styled, are coming to head
quarters demanding help for their
districts 1t is remarkable but true
that many district leaders who could
formerly deliver their districts by
a promise of political jobs now find
it necessary to "spend few dollars
among the boys" The itching palm
has taken over the work of the hand
shake, baby-kissing and the usual
gift cigars. This gross materialism
is perhaps more attractive to GER
tain types of campaign workers who
are not always assured of having
pledges kept after the elections.
1t is noteworthy, too, that the
special House committee, investigat-
ing campaign funds, met a few days
ago without taking any action.
There is little adverse comment
when the money is expended but
they are loud in their denunciations
whenever the expenses reach the
scandal stage. No one expects the
committees to get the
real story of expenditures before
December and then it will be too
late, There are many ways of
contributions and expenses
so that the books will balance.
The legislators find the people !
are concerned with domestic mat |
.ers now and govern themselves ac- |
The state conventions |
and many primaries are due short |
". Hence, the intense activity in |
home issues. So many legislators |
ire hard pressed to handle their !
)wn campaigns that they are oblig- |
I'd to neglect the national ticket. |
This condition applies with equal
'orce to the two major parties.
The political propaganda methods |
ire interesting to the average read
IF. The publicity bureaus have a
taft gathering information from the
eaders in various sections of the
country, all of which is carefully I
dited to avoid indiscreet statements
# overzealOus self-promoters at
he party's expense. Other groups
re engaged in preparing speeches
or the committees which must bear
he official imprint of approval. The
osses know full we'll that indist
rect speakers can lose more votes
han careful campaigners can win
yer.
Considerable comment has been
dvanced regarding farm legislation.
ct, the Old-time theory that the
onditiOn of the crops in the fall
overns the rural vote seems to hold
way. 1t is recalled that good crops
resage a heavy farmer vote for the
republican ticket The facts are
nat personalities and platforms
ave more to do with the trend than
lie harvest. Both parties are MAX
lg strong bid for the organized
lrm groups but the organizations
Ontrol over the individuals vote is
egligible. The farm issue is just
mother of those political subjects.
One nice thing about an automo-
lie is that it makes your spare
me so valuable, if you don't mind
ping VOur own renairs and wash