The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1930-11-14
BY LEON PLATT

BY LEON PLATT
THE results of the elections must be viewed in
i the light of the existing economic and political
conditions. The economic crisis, and as con-
sequence thereof. the sharpening of the inner
capitalist antagonisIns the immediate war stu
alton, the growing inter-imperialist differences
and last but not least, the anti-Soviet CAM
paign of the capitalist world, of which the United
States is decisive part, were the factors that
determined the outcome of the elections. The
fact that the elections took place in period OF
serious economic crisis in which industrial &C
tivity has declined over 81 per cent, with no
prospect of its normal" liquidation and with
million unemployed, is sufficient to give special
character and meaning to the last elections and
their results.
The Political Effects of the Crisis
The political life of the country can not be
separated from the existing economic conditions.
Consequently it would be wrong to think that
the deepening of the economic crisis and its
effects upon the masses had no bearing the
strategy of the capitalist class and the outcome
of the elections. The economic crisis had defi-
mite political repercusions in the United States,
as can be definitely seen from the following:
l. The collapse of the illusion that prosperity
is associated with Republican rule. The smash
ing defeat OF the Hoover administration and the
Republican party.
2. The great discomfort of the masses and
their refusal to live under the present conditions
The desire for a political change though not
yet change of government on class basis.
8. The workers and farmers we're not indif-
ferent to their political problems, on the con-
trary, they were ready to listen to our political
program, and enthusiastically received all pro-
posals relating to their economic and political
conditions
4. Party allegiance was broken, Republican
strongholds were captured by the Democratic
party. States that were additionally under Rep
ublican rule were replaced by Democratic can
didates.
However, simultaneously with the more SEN
stive political reaction on the part of large mas
ses we have also seen manifested a great apathy
of millions of qualified voters toward the cleo
tons. This is proven by the following facts:
Out of the 81 million who cast their votes for
the presidential candidates in 1928, only 25 mil
lion registered in 1880. The decline is not only
IL million or nearly 81 per cent of those who
voted in 1923, but it is decline of over IA mil
lion if we will add the millions of first-voters.
The Issues in the Campaign.
1t could not be said that there we're serious
political differences between the capitalist par
ties. One of the leading administration can
didates Mr.. Dwight w. Morrow, of New Jer-
ey, openly admitted that such differences be-
ween the capitalist parties do not exist.
Nor is this loyalty to country the exclu-
sive possession of any political party. Both
of great political parties loyal to
the country" Morrow in Newark, N. j.,
Oct. IA.
1--WE shall have the same Constitution
and probably not very great change in the
general body of the laws of this Common
Mass 81 xpho he
elected Governor"
Cal. Coolidge radio address on Oct. 81.
This shows that as far as the basic interests
of American capitalism is concerned it makes
no difference which one of the two old capital
list parties is in power. Nor is the tariff divid-
ing issue. There are no principle differences on
this question either. The chairman of the De-
mocratic National Committee Mr.. Raskob, has
already stated: 1.-The Democratic party believes
in fair trade, not free trade" The statement of
the seven leaders of the Democratic party has
already given their assurance that nothing is
further from the minds of those who will direct
legislation on the Democratic side than general
revision of the tariff" IN. Y. Times, Nov 81.
If there is any difference it is because the De-
mocrats want more tariff on such commodities,
which are not included in the Smoot- Hawley
Bill.
Yet the Democratic party made the economic
crisis, unemployment and the responsibility of
the Hoover administration, their chief campaign
issues. The Democratic candidate for Senator
from New Jersey, MIR. Simpson, declared that
"the chief issue of the campaign is the rghtful
demand of the people to place the responsibility
for the economic depression" These serious
problems were made campaign issues, not be-
cause the Democratic party has a program to
offer, or has solution for these problems; no,
this was not the reason The anti-Hoover ad-
ministration Journal of Commerce stated very
frankly that, There has been nothing. to in
dictate that the Democrats have any effective
program of action to offer in place of the Repub-