Evening star., 1932-09-16
CAMPAIGN BEGINS
WA|RLW|ND FINISH
Maine Results, Roosevelt
Tour and. Bonus Discussion
Stir Activities.
BY BYRON PRICE,


Washington Bureau Manager. Associated
|. Press.
A new urge of activity, presagtng q
whirlwind finish after weeks Of half
motion, has been put into the presi-
dental campaign by the Maine elec-
ton. the Roosevelt Western swing and
renewed discussion of the bonus.
So far as the political generals them
selves are concerned. it appears certain
the efforts to be exerted on public
opinion from now on will be on scale
as great as the country has seen In any
recent campaign.
For the expected redoubling of party
endeavor on both sides the Maine elec-
ton returns are largely responsible. Re-
joicing Democrats, thinking that In
their Maine victory they sense a dis
.couraged to press every opportunity to
the utmost. Surprised Republicans have
been called upon by President Hoover
himself to rally for hard fight"
No one can guess at this stage
whether sparks from the roaring fur-
naces of organized party activity Will
start any conhagrations among the
voters themselves.
Public Silent.
Word has come to party leaders from
many sections that q large body OF the
people are silent and apathetic. In
general, neither campaign contributions
nor attendance at political meetings
shows an average high enough to indi-
cate intense popular interest. Yet in
Maine the vote was very heavy, which
may mean that the public Is thinking
and meaning to act, even II 1t Is not
talking.
For the moment most OF the outward
activity is on the part Of the Demo-
Gratis. Gov. Roosevelt, speeding toward
the West Coast, Is asking for the sup
port of the voters Of both parties, as he
turns from the old subjects Of the gen
eral depression and prohibition to speak
about farm relief, power and the rail-
roads. 1t is the aim OF the Democrats
to, consolidate now, If possible, enough
western strsngth to win regardless Of
what the East may do.
The preparations OF the Republicans
for an intense october drive in both
East and West will bring into action
every available party wheelhorse. Pres
ident Hoover's telegram to Chairman
Sanders after the Maine election, asking
for renewed effort everywhere, has been
followed by a long string Of political
conferences at the White House. The
Presidents own speaking program, call
ing heretofore for three major speeches,
may be somewhat, but not greatly, ex-
panded.
Bonus Draws Attention.
Whatever the political effect, publica-
ton of the bonus eviction report on the
eve of the American Legion convention
at Portland, stirred up a commotion
which did not lack for public attention
even in a week Of commotions.
After giving Secretary Of War Hurley
both boos and cheers, the Legion In
dorsed the bonus, left aside resolution
to censure the President for evicting
the bonus marchers from Washington,
but adopted one censuring the War De-
partment for distributing literature on
the subject in the convention.
Much more probably will be heard
of this before the campaign ends.
President Hoover's opposition to the
bonus is well known, and was reiterated
during the Portland convention, while
Gov. Roosevelt came under further
urging, from several sources, to declare
himself. In one way or another the
issue is sure to be kept alive, although
the politicians do not agree how many.
votes VIII be Influenced by It in the end.