Evening star., 1932-11-15
BY J. RUSSELL YOUNG.

opSCl GlSpdbSA W AAlC SNoAs
ABOARD PRESIDENT HOovERS
SPECIAL TRAIN, en- route to Washing
ton. November is. - AS President
Hoover's train Is winding its way back
he has sufficient leisure to study the
station crowds and to come to the con-
clusion that it is unwiSe for a PreSt-
dent, travelling about the country seek
ing reelection, to include these huge,
cheering, waving throngs in his calcu-
lations on the outcome of the election.
Mr.. Hoover drew tremendous crowds
everywhere his train stopped and at
the places where he spoke throughout
the more than five weeks of intensive
electioneerfng. Some Of the crowds
were unprecedented In the matter OF
size and have been heartening to the
President and his party.
OF course, Mr.. Hoover realized that
many were on hand merely to pay their
respects to the President of the United
States, regardless Of their political con-
nections or intentions, and many came
Just out of curiosity. But, just the
same, the turnouts were so large and
the cheering so genuine that he nat
urally was deceived to some extent.
Remarks on Crowds.
This is not a supposition. The Presi-
dent virtually has admitted 1t. He men,
toned the size and enthusiasm of his
crowds while speculating upon his CAM
paign as he sat talking with group
in his private car before election day.
In his calculations Mr.. Hoover laid
some little emphasis upon the size OF
his crowds. lie mentioned that he even
was drawing bigger crowds than greeted
t.S,. hi no. lryva frdrT re
ago. At the same time, he wanted 1t
understood that he was mindful Of the
fact that his being the President must
be taken into consideration In the flg-
| uring Of possible election results.
With the journey back, however, has
come very happy revelation. His
greetings along the way are sufnciently
| large and enthusiastic to hearten him
in facing his task Of the next four
months.
Moreover, the manner In which he Is
| being acclaimed now cannot help but
always be pleasant and gratifying
memory.
The station crowds have been keenly
watched by the members Of the Presi-
dents party. Before the homeward trip
was started. there was considerable
speculation on the possible reaction of
! the public to the result of the election
| and as to Mr.. Hoover's own reaction to
the public. From the very start of the
| journey, when more than thousand
people were on hand to wave an affec-
tionate farewell as the train pulled out
of Palo Alto, to the present when nearly
| half Of the distance East has been COW
cred, the crowds have reacted wonder
fully. Then, too, the President has re-
acted to it all in such fashion as to
reveal himself virtually in new light.
Shows More Warmth.
In responding to these crowds. the
President has shown more ease and
confidence in himself. Some who have
been watching him say he's showing
| more real warmth. At any rate he Is
entering into all of 1t with a freer and
friendlier spirit. He appears more ready
to engage in conversation with those
closest to the rear platform rail at the
end of his train. Much Of his self
consciousness and shyness seems to have
disappeared.
There have been some interesting II
not actually touching incidents during
these station meetings on this return
| trip. At one of the recent station
crowds an elderly woman, plainly
dressed and hatless, managed to edge
her way through the mass about the
rear of the train, sufficiently close tc
call up to the President who was leaning
over the rail, bowling and smiling, "Oh
you dear man. What have they done
to you?"
Mr.. Hoover's kindly smile Of apprecia-
ton at this touching greeting changed
quickly when he saw that tears were
coursing down the old woman's cheeks
as she finished her little speech.
Mr. Hoover appeared greatly amused
at a tall, raW-boned woman whose
weatherbeaten face told story Of many
years close to the dry, hard soil OF
northern New Mexico who stood neal
the front of the station crowd at Tu-
cumcari. This woman waved and clap
ned in a most enthusiastic manner ano
when the applause died down, she called
up to the President, Mr.. Hoover, please
look about you at this sorry land. Please
get us a dam. Ais we need in thi'
Gods country is water. Please do thai
for us!"
Mr.. Hoover's reply was not audible
but the eloquent advocator for dan
seemed pleased. She was smiling anc
waving as the train started on its way
At many Of the stations on this return
trip there have been bands to serenadt
the President. At all Of the stops, ex
cept at night, there have been manI
school children in the crowds. In Ari'
zona and New Mexico stations the darl
skins of Indians and Mexicans could b.
counted In large numbers. During tn
halt at Yuma, Ariz., most Of the presi
Dental party left the train to max
purchases from the Indian womeI
souatted along the station platform
Mr.. and Mrs. Hoover, with Secretary o
Interior Wilbur and Mrs. Wilbur, looket
on at this familiar sight from their OBJ
servation platform.
Train Stops for Cattle.
Later as the special train was speed
ing with stretch ahead of more thai
an hour before the next station, the al
brakes were applied so suddenly tina
there was considerable concern amonI
those aboard. The train came to ful
! stop with nothing in view on either sid
Z hut far-reachfrp stretches of nrairi