Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-24
The Political Mill
BY c. Could Lincoln.

brings an increase in business as well
as In stock values, an increase in enl-
ployment and production, 1t may I'M
prove the chances of the G. o. P. In the
national elections next year. But II
there Is no such improvement in busi-
ness and employment. it will not be
so good, either for the country or for
the Republican party. Under the Lead
ership of President Hoover wages gen.
orally speaking have been kept up over
the last two years in the face OF the
depression, an unheard-of proceeding
prior to the present dislocation of BUSH
ness. Perhaps labor will be inclined
to give the Chief Executive credit for
this. If the wage earners are cor
rect in their theory that wage cuts win
so reduce the buying power of the pub
lie generally that business will con-
tinue to sag, the whole matter of wage
cuts is likely to be reflected in the Ovot-
ing next year.
The administrations determination Is
to see that the standards Of living in
this country be maintained at high
levels. The standard OF living OF the
wealthy does not appear to be in so
much danger as the standard Of living
OF the wage Garner. However, the re-
duction in the prices which must be
paid for necessities of life has been con-
siderable during the last two years. and
wage earners can far more readily face
cuts in their pay today than they could
have faced such cuts two years ago.
But the man and woman with reduced
pay are inclined TO be somewhat savage
when they 60 to the polls.
4
Next week there is to be a congress
A.. a1tWt a. H.
vacancy caused by the death of the
late Representative ELECT Samuel G.
Major, Democrat. The district has been
close In the past. with Republicans
carrying it in presidential years and
Democrats in the of years.
1t was represented at one time by
Senator Patterson, Republican. now
member of the Upper House. The only
hope of Republican victory in the spe-
cial election, however, seems to lie in
the fact that an Independent Demo-.
cratic candidate, running. as wet, is
entered in the race. The district Is said
to be normally about 1000 to 5000
votes Democratic. While the Republic
cans have by no means given up all
hope of carl ying the district for their
candidate, John W. Palmer, who was
member Of the last Congress, the edge
still seems to be with the Democrats in
view of the general conditions existing
there.
Gov. Philip La Toilette has called
the special primsry and election to NIL
the vacancy in the first Wisconsin dis
trict. This is the old Cooper district,
represented for SO many years by
the late Henry Allen Cooper, Progress
sive and follower of the La Follettes.
Mr.. Cooper had strong personal fol-
lowing in the district, although 1t Is
rated one of the most conservative
Of the congressional districts In the
State. The "Stalwarts," or Conserva-
tive Republicans, have picked as their
candidate George w. Blanchard, while
the Progressive or La Toilette group
has put up Thomas r. Amlie OF Elk
horn They will fight 1t out for the
Republican nomination on October 3
and the election is to take place 10
days later. The Democrats will have
a nominee. but the district IS expected
to remain Republican whsther the Con-
sentative or the Progressive be the party
nominee The odds seem to favor the
Progressive. according to reports from
the district.
Mrs. Ruth Bryan Oven, member OF
the House from the fcui th congress
~
late William Jennir gs Bryan, appar-
emily has determined to forego sena-
torial aspirations, If she has them, for
the time being Word from Florida Is
to the effect that Mrs. Owen will be a
candidate again for the House and will
leave the field for the Democratic ssna-
torial nomination. so far as she is
concerned, to the veteran Senator Dun-
can u. Fletcher. Mrs. Owen has made
a place for herself in the House
already. although she has been mem.
Der only for one, full term and is now
Representative elect for another. In
1928, when there was a great turn
over of votes in the South because of
the anti-Smith Democratic movement,
MIS-. Owen carried her district by more
than 10000 votes lead over her Repub-
reelected to the House without opposi-
ton. So far she appears to be content
to remain in the House. She may make
a try for the Senate later.
John B. HOLSTER, the Republican
nominee for the vacant House seat in
the FIRST Ohio district, seems to be out
in the lead today, although the Demo-
Gratis are working hard for their cam
didate, State Senator David Lorbach.
The Republicans are taking no chances
the first place, the district has long
been Republican. and a defeat there
would be a distinct blow to Republican
prestige not only In Ohio but through
out the country. Then, too, victory
there will determine whether the Re-
publicans are to have a majority of
one in the next House.. or will have
only 2f7 seats to 217 for the Democrats
and for the Farmer-Labor party.
Senator George Moses of New Hamp-
shire. president pro tempDre Of the
Senate, and an effective campaign
speaker, has promised to go to the Ohio
district to speak for HOLSTER when he
is notified to come, and there has been
talk also of sending Senator Morrow
ers for HOLSTER. The district. bv the
way. IS wet In sentiment, and HOLSTER
q wet himself.
President Hoover's quick and almost
dramatic journey to the American
Legion Convention in Detroit and his
call to the patriotism of the Legion
naires not to support at this time prof.
ects which would put heavy financial
burdens on the Government has born
fruit. The Legion in convention has
sidetracked the demand for cash pay
ment of the rest of the soldiers bonus.
1t would require another couple of bill
lions of dollars to pay the face value
of all the bonus certificates. The Chief
Executive acted when it became an
parent there was to be a real drive in
the convention to demand these paw
ments at hands Of the incoming Con-
gress. His address was brief. to the
point and most effective Notwithstar1d-
ing the action of the convention. there
may be continued efforts on the mart ,
of some members Of Congress to out
through bonus legislation for the
veterans on the eve of the elections
But in the face Of the stand taken nv !