Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-17
PRESIDENT SHAPES
| PARTY PLATFORM
Returns From West as Full.
I Pledged Candidate on
Economic Issues.
By G. GOULD LINCOLN.


the eyes of the country, full-fiedged
candidate for reelection. He returns,
moreover, after having given shape and
form to the platform on which he will
seek denomination and reelection.
The president has made 1t clear that
he believes the campaign must be wAged
next year on economic issues. There
may be other contributing factors such
as prohibition, but in the final analysis,
1t will be the interest Of the people In
Jobs rather than in liquor which will
determine the outcome.
His address to the Indiana Republican
Editorial Association, at Indianapolis,
leaves no doubt about that fact. 1t Is
true prohibition has cut across the Re-
publican party in many states, but the
same is equally true in the Democratic
ranks.
Wet-Dry Stand Clear.
No one seems to doubt where the
President will stand on the wet and
dry question If he becomes o candidate
next year as he Is expected to do. II
the Democrats place a wet candidate in
the field, which they are likely. to do.
the issue may be Joined In considerable
measure. Certainly that Is likely to be
-
with economic conditions rs they are
today in this country, there seems rea-
son to believe that economic questions
will dominate to q very large extent.
With the exception Of Chairman John
J, Raskob Of the Democratic National
Committee and few OF the leaders who
. follow his line OF reasoning, most OF
the Democrats seem to be as anxious
as the Republicans to confine the CAM
paign largely to the economic question.
Mr. RaSkob Is demanding that his
~home-rule" plan Of handling the liquor
question be written into the Democratic
platform. Out In Ohio, Senator Buckley,
who won election last Fall as an oppo-
nent Of the eighteenth amendment, now
Democratic party that constitutional
conventions be held in all the States to
consider tn, eighteenth amendments
repeal or revision. But Mr.. Buckley Is
one Of those wet Democrats who also
take the position that the liquor issue
should not be party question. He in
sists that by turning 1t over to State
constitutional conventions, with dele
gates elected because they are wet or
dry, and not because they are Demo.
Gratis or Republicans, the question VIII
be taken out Of politics.
Opposes Federal Dole.
IN MS 1nQIAnhpOllS nO1LeSS HLCSANCAAN
Hoover, in effect, declared he and his
party would oppose the Federal dole.
proposed in some quarters at the last
session of Congress and since then,
whether it comes in the shape OF q Fed
eral unemployment insurance or q
straight out donation to those In dis
tress.
He asserted, too, that there would be
strenuous objection on the part OF him.
nd NJ ne n q revision
downward of the tariff rates, preferring
to leave readjustment to the Tariff
Commission under the so-cAlled flexible
provisions. The tariff, Mr.. Hoover in
sisted, must be used as q weapon to
protect both American agriculture and
American industry.
In his presentation of his American
plan" a 20-year plan, the President
laid down a course Of procedure look
ing mainly to the improvement Of
America for Americans. There seems
to be no getting away from the belief
that the @. o. p, under the leadership
Of the President in next years cam
paign will attempt to stress the fact
the Republican party Is the defender
Of America and that its opponent would
open the doors to foreign competition
ef all kinds II placed in power. Already
other Republican speakers, as well as
the President. have sought to align the
IN their demands that the tariff be
reduced on many articles.
Visited Pivotal States.
Mr.. Hoover in his trip visited Illinois,
Ohio and Indiana, great populous States
Of the Middle West that have been
piVotal in national elections in the past,
and which will play important parts
next year. Generally speaking. they are
Republican States, but in Illinois and
Chic last Fall the Democrats scored i'm
portant victories, electing United States
Senators, and in Indiana they made
gains in the House. The President visit
ed Ohio to dedicate a memorial to the
late President Harding, and in Illinois
he took part in the rededication of the
tomb Of Abraham Lincoln. In the one
he pictured President Harding as the
victim Of interruptions friends. and In
the other he praised Lincoln as the en-
bodiment Of the best in America and an
Inspiration to the people today.
It was in Indiana, admittedly q bat
tie ground next year, that he delivered
his address dealing with the policies of
the Republican administration, and in
dicating what his course will be in the
campaign next year. In none Of his
j addresses did he say anything about
his candidacy for reelection. Nor will
he say anything. But as the prospec-
tive candidate he may be expected to
take a leading part in the offensive
which the G. o. p. Is opening on a
wide front, intended to strengthen 1t
with the people next year.
Democrats Plan Attack.
When Congress reassembles, the DEM
ocratic barrage will be laid down in full
force. Efforts will be made to pass
legislation of various kinds with an
idea of embarrassing the President. II
the Republican insurgents join with
the Democrats, they may put through
q number Of measures Of that kind,
dealing with the tariff, with various
kinds Of Federal aid for the unemployed
and with farm relief, including the de-
benture. The President has shown,
however, that he WILL resist such meas
ures to the utmost, and q veto may be
expected whenever such bill Is sent
to him.
Long before President Hoover set out
on his present Midwest trip 1t was I'M
derstood he would be q candidate for
denomination and reelection. There
has been nothing to indicate he in.
tends to withdraw from the race. And
there is q strong belief that no other
Republican candidate could wrest the
nomination from him, although some
may try it. But this trip and his ad-
dress, coming right on the heels Of the
Conference Of Young Republicans, at
which Senator Fess, chairman Of the
Republican National Committee, and
members Of the Presidents own cabinet
declared he would be renominated and
reelected, are interpreted widely as prof.
Getting him into the campaign Of next
year.
Criticized Tax Structure.
One feature of his Indiana speech
which has aroused considerable Specu.
lation Is the criticism he made of the