Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-03-04
March 4. 1888.


chosen at the polls next November 8
enters upon four-year term of office
one year from today Who that Presi-
dent is to be will become definitely
known to the American people eight
months plus a few days hence, unless
indeed. there should be no majority IN
the electoral college for any candidate
and the choice of a President should
then be thrown into the House OF
Representatives, contingency conSid-
cred extremely remote this year.
More than any other, the determin-
ing factor in the coming national cleo
ton will be the economic conditions
prevailing in this country during the
next eight months. Republican chances
have been slim and Republican hopes
have been at a low ebb, due to the
long-continued business depression,
with its consequent unemployment and
disaster to financial and manufactur-
ing institutions.
Within a month, however, there has
been a slow but apparently perceptible
upturn in G. o. P. prospects. Perhaps
this has been due to revulsion on the
part of many people to the torrents OF
abuse and billingsgate that have been
heaped upon the President of the
United States They have not been
able to stomach it. The old political
maxim that every knock is boost
seems about to be indicated again.
Certainly there has been widespread
approval of the carefully worked out
program advanced by Mr.. Hoover to
aid in the economic recovery Of the
country Add to these ingredients the
terrific row that is brewing in the
Democratic party over the selection of
a presidential candidate and the fact
that improvements in business here and
there have occurred, and that check
on the fall in production has arrived,
and it is possible to explain this change
in sentiment.
The American people are more anx-
ious to see revival of good times, OF
employment and of production in this
asuntry than they are to see Demo-
oTet replace Republican in the white
House They are more anxious to have
such a revival than they are to retain a
Republican in the White House. This
explains the Importance which the eco
rny1dffinnc will hoy ha
balloting next November. But If the
people are convinced that the upgrade
has been reached. they may be slow to
acquiesce in a change of leaders Par
ticularly Is this true if the Democratic
opposition has shown itself to be merely
critical and not constructive
The program which has given hope
TO the country today has been ad-
vanced by the President of the United
States. Democrats argue that parts of
the program have been suggested from
Democratic sources and that the action
Of Democratic controlled House has
made possible the adoption of the meas
ures. But primarily President Hoover
must be accorded credit for piecing to-
gether and putting forward this plan of
relief When Congress was assembling
last December Democratic leaders were
urged to put forward a constructive
program. The reply was that they
would have a program, but they would
wait first to see what the President lad
TO offer. And after Mr.. Hoover had
announced his program there seemed
little left for the Democrats to put for
ward. They fell in line, in the main,
for the administrations proposals.
They could not do otherwise, which
makes it difficult for the Democrats
now to claim credit for the enactment
Of this program into law.
The proof Of the pudding is in the
eating. The effectiveness of the Hoo
yer program is being demonstrated. 1t
has already shown signs Of aiding ma
terially in business recovery. And once
the people are confirmed in a belief
that the administration has been help
full, the Democrats will have a ire
mendous job on their hands to upset
the G. o. P. apple cart.