The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-08-13

the saloon.
Since the Republican party's pro-
hibition plank was obviously dictated
by the white house, the reasons for
this abrupt shift in matter of two
months excites speculation. One of
the grandest games in politics, as we'll
as the most difficult, has been to
appeal to both sides Of a disputed
question at once. The Republicans
have been expert at it and the Hoov-
er wet declaration may be new EVIL
dence Of party genius.
On the one hand is a party de-
claration which does not seriously
offend the drys in comparison with
the Democratic attitude. On the
other Is statement by the candidate
which certainly will incite wet SYM
pathy.
II political strategy dominated the
declaration it was not without DO
litical merit for Hoover's stand now
is not incompatible with his noble
experiment. declaration OF 1928. The
1882 stand is presumably that of a
scientist in political economy who
feels that the experiment has failed
to produce the desired results.
The speech contained a gentle slap
on the wrist for the so-called powers
OF big business, since it accuses them
OF part In bringing on the economic
debacle, but it is not definite enough
to appease those folk who want the
money powers" hung or boiled in
oil. After all, there is a matter of
campaign funds to be considered and
the rebuke was not one which any
individual will take to heart.
A willingness to deal with Europe
on foreign debts was indicated but 1t
was made clear that we must have
something in return. Arms reduction
or trade preferences were the media
limited at to bring about this result.
The money question and the tariff
were discussed in typically Repub-
llcan manner. There can be no tam
pering with the money system under
the Hoover idea. He opposes the
Democratic plan of eliminating the
presidents power to adjust the tariff
and condemned tariff log-rolling, but
there was no hint that the tariff. it.
self, is not all it might be. What
ever else may be said Of the presi-
dent, he was true to the high gods of
his party in his acceptance speech.
Just as he has been in his admins
tration. There seems little reason
why he should not be. They have
commanded the worship OF the ma
jority in the past.
Granted that Hoover has never
been noted for flourish as a speak,
er, the peroration seems a little odd.
IL closes in a sort of speudo-cres-
cendo which may mean almost any,
thing or nothing. It is as though,
having said what he had to say and
having determined to quit, the pres
ldent closed his effort as quickly as
possible. His pledge to welcome the
help OF every man and woman in
preserving the United States and its
people has a quality OF naivete which
is hardly in keeping with the strug-
gle through which the president has
just passed.
II the speech is open to criticism
IN general way, it is the rather con-
slant reiteration OF his adherence to
traditions. Granted that they are
important, it cannot be overlooked
that many Of the finest traditions
OF American individuals have been
swept away in the storm of the last
lew years. Changing times have
made the creation Of new traditions
necessity and the presidents ac-
lions during the last year have
proved that he recognizes the fact.
He might have done better, both for
himself and his party, had he spared
himself the task OF waving the hoary
flag OF the past in an effort to lend
rhetorical charm to his utterance.
The past has its bad points as well
as Its good ones and there are some
traditions still blooming in America
which might profitably be discarded
After all, the people are looking to
the future, just as Hoover is.
No Reaction Yet
Persons who had anticipated a
sharp drop in the stock and COM
modify markets have been agreeably
surprised by the manner in which re-
cent gains have been maintained.
It is difficult to estimate conditions
in the financial centers from this dis
lance, and yet some things are ap-
parent.
One is that the public is again get
ting into buying mood. Securities