Evening star., 1932-03-13

McAdOO .................. "
Incidentally this must be a pretty
representative poll, just to be accepted
as a barometer, not only of Iowa but
OF nearby States. The total Demo-
cratic vote in Iowa in 1923 was 378 1886;
this present poll of 53,073 must rep
resent about one cut of every seven
Democratic votes in Iowa.
Loss Will Hurt Roosevelt.
Now, next Tuesday we shall see how
Murray fares in formal, official pri-
mary in North Dakota. From the
point Of view of politicians and observ-
ers in Washington and the East, the
principal question is not whether Muir
ray wins, but whether Roosevelt loses.
II Roosevelt loses it will damage him
somewhat in the East and do some
detrlment to his fortunes generally. If
Roosevelt loses North Dakota, it will
be interpreted as meaning that Roose-
velt is not progressive enough for the
West, that Murray is the truer ex-
ponent of Democratic sentiment in that
territory. At the same time it has
already been felt that Roosevelt dam
aged himself somewhat with the con-
servative East by making any kind Of
appeal to the West.
Nevertheless, even if Roosevelt loses
North Dakota to Murray, Roosevelt will
still be major contender for the DEM
ocratic nomination. Murray, even if
he carries North Dakota, and despite
the really sensational showing of
strength that is emerging for him in the
West-in spite of that. hardly any one
In Washington or the East regards Muir
ray as major contender. 1t is ad-
mitted that Murray is showing utterly
unexpected strength in the West, it is
admitted as certain that he will be an
important figure in the convention and
Will make good deal of commotion in
lt-but hardly any politician in the East
believes, as OF today. that Murray has
any chance OF really running away with
the Democratic nomination. He Is a
attention-arresting. resourceful
person, but he has not yet convinced
Democratic leaders that he is Bryan.
What shall we think about Murray?
We must consider him, of course. not
merely as himself, but in relation to
his times.
Following Acquired Recently.
The undeniable fact is that William
H. Murray is the only man in politics
who has acquired for himself a large
following during the last two years.
Other men, such as President Hoover
and ex-Gov. Smith, already had fol-
IowingS acquired years ago, and these ,
.olloW1ngs they keep. Democratic Speak
er Garner OF the House is acquiring a
following, but Garner's leverage con-
slsts OF his official position. Murray Is
Inc only man who started at zero in
$50, unknown nationally and practical
~ forgotten even in his own State of
now, two years later.
stands before the country with a really
large personal following.
MOI only in politics. In any other
neld-the church, the press, business
who can name a man who was un-
known in 1880 and in two years has
made himself leader? In a time of
distress people are fretful, and when
people are fretful they tend to be sus-
plclous OF most persons who ask for
their support and confidence. A time
IKE this Is, In short, unfavorable for
the appearance of leaders in any line
except that in politics; at such times |
much of the public is ready to take
Alnoly 10 new leadership of particular
type.
Murray has come forward with the
right appeal Starting in Oklahoma in |
1880, after he had been IL years out |
of the State in South America, when
many Of the older folks had forgotten
him and none of the younger folks had |
heard Of him, when he was a little dis |
created by the failure of his South |
american colonization enterprise and |
financially broke Qegend says he had |
put Sl2 and was obliged to hitch-hike |
ms way about the State)-in that con-
dltlon Murray made himself Governor
of Oklahoma. Then, in two years. he |
mas made himself a national figure. |
worked himself up to a point where |
everything he does and saws is news. |
where Eastern newspapers and maya |
zines print more about him than about |
any other Democratic aspirant.
Inc secret lies, of course not wholly |
n Murray (though he really has per- |
'onallty), but largely in the times. The
people are distressed Murray ap-
2eas to distress. It has been done be-
1892. The process is plain. Murray walks
'ut in front of the crowd. Look at
ne, ne says, and he gets their atten-
ion. Follow me-" he says land I will I
cad you back to comfort, to the times
hat used TO be-"
Murray Is a Reactionary.
This is, in effect. just what Murray
ays. He is a reactionary, not a radi-
al. His appeal is, not that he will bring
new day, but that he will take us
'ack to an older day That is what
ustifies Murray in processing himself
o be an Andrew Jackson. Always 1t Is
that Murray lookS-not for
ward to revolution. Revolution he de-
,lores. I'VE must" he says, "either re-
'erse the lever Of our economic errors,
r roll on to certain revolution" l.
You will observe, If you follow Muir