Evening star., 1932-10-21
DEPRESSION HOLDS
CENTER OF STAGE
All Other Issues Discussed
in Their Relation to Eco
n0mic Situation.
By the Associated Press.

The overshadowing stature of the
country's economic plight-how it came
about and how good times can be fully
restorcd-looms large and larger over
the political scene as the campaign at
tainS the full fury of its concluding
weeks.
This is one instance in which an
issue. accepted as paramount by both
paramount in the more mature utter
ances of later weeks, and promises to
continue so until the end.
To the economic issue, with its many
ramifications, Mr.. Hoover and Mr
Roosevelt now are devoting almost ex-
elusive attention. Only a very small
percentage of any of their speeches
takes notice of anything else
When they or their principal follow
ers have mentioned the tariff they have
catalogued it in its relation to depres-
sion or recovery. When they have
talked Of farm relief, or labor, or the
budget, or currency. or the soldier
bonus, or even prohibition, they have
put all of these things against the
background of the one central question
of economic restoration.
Theme of Addresses.
This theme has been the burden of
Mr.. Roosevelt's speeches on his present
Midwestorn and Southern swing He
spoke of beer as revenue source. He
repeated his previous statement on the
bonus during discussion of budget
balancing
The administrations course with re-
spect to the depression will be the bur-
Gen OF Mr.. Hoover'S speech tomorrow
night at Detroit, for which he leaves
the Capital tonight. 1t will be the bur-
den CT his shorter talks tomorrow as he
crosses West Virginia and Ohio.
A host OF other speakers, including
many of the most distinguished men in
the country, now are debating the same
subject from coast to coast. The issue
has taken different forms in different
localities, but in its essential character
1t IS the same everywhere.
During the short time remaining
election day is two weeks from next
Tuesday-almost every precinct will
hear this issue discussed with an in
tensity seldom exceeded in American
history. Alfred E. Smith. Newton D.
Baker and Albert C. Ritchie are among
those who have come forward for
Roosevelt Henry Ford has spoken for
Hoover: Calvin Coolidge has been asked
to speak again for him.
Progressives Recruited.
In another notable respect, the cam
paign has again confirmed early ex-
pectationS. 1t has been characterized
by an unceasing Democratic appeal for
the support of the Western Republican
independents and by open participation
by some of their leaders in the effort
to put Mr.. Roosevelt into the White
House. The past week has seen Sen
ator Norris of Nebraska take the stump
for Roosevelt, Senator La Toilette of
Wisconsin declare for Roosevelt and
Senator Cutting of New Mexico join
hands with the Democrats in State
politics.
Except for the continuing efforts of
local political leaders, the territory
west of the Mississippi now appears to
have passed into the background
There still is accessibility the President
will go home to California to vote,
but it is a receding possibility.
During the coming week the Midwest
will have its last opportunity to see
the major figures of the campaign.
While the Republican nominee travels
to Detroit, and possibly makes one
later trip to that section, Gov. Roose-
welt will be heading back Eastward and
Southwark from ST. Louis.
The final episode will take place in
the East. Both candidates and some
of their principal supporters will be
heard during the first week of Novem-
ber in New York and New England
And the burden of their speeches will
be the depression and the way out
of it.