Evening star., 1932-09-20

yeuS IN the campaign DO not always
mean votes in the ballot box.
As a matter Of fact, AL Smith and
his brown derby created much greater
interest four years ago than Gov. Roose-
welt has SO far, and Roosevelt's attempts
to get on an intimate, chubby basis with
those who have come to see him seem
to have missed the mark. One Of his
favorite gestures to the crowds is to
introduce the members Of his family.
This" he says, with his hand on the
arm Of his 6-foot son. "is my little boy
Jimmie. and this is my daughter Anna,
and this is my daughter -in-law Betsy"
A cheer always is given these smiling,
attractive youngsters.
Another campaign statement, made
over and over again by Gov. Roosevelt,
is, Il was born en- farm so years ago"
Sometimes he adds, Il am told ! don't
look it." and again, Il don't feel It,"
His attempts to establish a community
farmer who has been operating at
Ioss." or that New York is the fifth or
sixth agricultural State In the Union"
do not win audible reSponSe.
Applause, such as candidate usually
receives when he emerges from his train
upon arrival, unconsciously Is denied
Gov. Roosevelt. A sympathetic silence
invariably descends as the specially
built gangplank or ramp Is hauled
from the baggage car ahead to the rear
platform so that he may alght.
The fact that Gov. Roosevelt was
stricken with infantile paralysis after
maturity is generally known. His
descent from the train is made by
grasping two brass hand rails, anchored
at either edge OF the runway. and his
l.; t&yv cte hn
comes back aboard, Roosevelt climbs
alone, leaning far forward and virtually
pulling himself up with one strong arm
after another.
1t is generally believed that the New
York Governor decided to make this
trip against the almost unanimous
judgment of his advisors for two pur-
poses: First, to present a personal
appeal for the suffrage of the people,
and second, to convince them that he
is not a wheel chair invalid, incapable
of meeting the physical ordeals Of the
presidential Office.
Gov. Roosevelt so far has measured
up 10 the strain placed on him. He
spent a week aboard his train without
nights sleep in hotel. The day
spent in Eastern Kansas was one round
Of official engagements lasting from
o'clock in the morning until 10 that
night.
Speaker Garner joined him at Kansas
City at o'clock that morning. Three
hours later they were in Topeka. The
Governor and his official party started
a round Of conferences. At noon Gov.
Roosevelt stood for hour and 20 min
utes in the blazing sun. without even
a canopy above his head, and gave his
views on farm relief. Thousands came
to shake his hands in the Governors
Office. He held numerous conferences
and was the guest of honor at the
Governors dinner. 1t was 10 O'Clock
when he came back to his train.
Appears in Good Condition.
The Governor gives the impression
of a man in excellent physical condi-
ton, capable of meeting as strenuous
campaigning as any one else. To the
great body OF the people. who see him
first standing at the microphone be-
hind tables which cut off sight of his
body from the hips down, he is visioned
as man of broad shoulders and tre-
mendous vigor His youthful vibrant
Almost invariably, however, when he
VI vain, llC ID ouPPOAtS0 Oii
the arm of his son, with cane in his
other hand. He moves slowly, cau-
tiously, but with great composure.
So far on this trip the crowds have
been most considerate and kind. There
has been no real heckling. The only
question fired at the candidate as his
train stops at stations Is:
Are you for cashing the soldiers
bonus?''
These questions are ignored, though
when an insiStent Legionnaire kept re-
peating the query at Rawlings Wyo. a
member of the Governors party on the
back platform winked and assured the
interrogation.
Hes all right" There was no
elucidation.
This bonus question undoubtedly will
be repeated until an answer is maes,
even though 1t has been officially
tabooed as a subject Of inquiry on the
candidates train.
tcopyright, 1882. by North American News
paper Alliance. 1nc.)