The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1934-11-08
LIBERTY LEAGUE
MAY Be c. O.P.
SAVIOUR
Chief Hope of Rehabilitation
After Crushing Defeat at
Polls Tuesday
BY FRANKLIN G. sARTWELL


The Republican debacle in the
congressional election today raised
the American Liberty League to
the status of. the big question
mark in the national political stu
alton.
It became apparent to Wash.
ington today that the tactics pur-
sued by the Republicans in the
last campaign are faulty and that
the result is futile.
The criticism is more one Of
method than of design. and those
who hope to stop the New Deal
are confirmed in the belief that
the assault methods adopted by
the Republicans in the congress
sional campaign will be no more
effective in curtailing the oppos-
ing party's power in the future
than they were on Tuesday.
Turn to League
This leaves the Republican
party virtually discredited as it
is at present constituted. Some
thing must be done in the
opinion of the adherents of the
old party position if the Demo
Gratis are not to be given undiS.
puted sway.
Therefore, they are today turn
ing to the American Liberty
League in the hope that that
organization will enable them to
rise above the depths to which
they sank when the Republican
party went down to ignominiouS
defeat in the latest balloting.
The league itself sat silent
during the recent campaign.
Potentially a powerful political
force it remained quiescent dur
ing the congressional fight.
G. o. p. Halls League
That fact alone is enough to
confirm the belief that exists in
the sagacity Of the leagues lead
erS and advisers. The fact that
the league avoided participation
in the fight resulted in its con.
demnation by those Republicans
who were stalking all on making
a respectable showing in that
struggle.
Now the same Republicans are
ready to admit that probably the
league was right in avoiding par
ticipation in the campaign. They
are ready to hail the league as
the saviour of the party If it will
function to the height Of its
effectiveness in 1896.
That the league will do this
isn't questioned in any authorita-
tive circle in Washington.
Cost to Be High
There is, however. another ques-
ton about the leagues activities
that is raising some doubt among
Republicans. That question is:
What will the league demand in
exchange for the support which it
may give to the Republican party
in the future?
Admittedly the price Of league
support will be high. It may de-
mand everything. It may even de-
mand a change in the name of the
Republican party. Certainly it
will demand the unhorsing Of
many of those who consider them.
selves the leaders of that party.
And another question which is
plaguing Washington is what will
the league be able to deliver in
exchange for that which it de-
mandS. It may be able to deliver
rehabilitation of what now seems
to be a defunct party. It may be
able to create public conscious
ness Of what the New Deal means
to the millions of Americans who
still have property (however little)
and who still have jobs Chowever
smalD.
If it is able to do that it may
change the entire political situa-
ton, giving a new lease on life to
those adherents Of the G. o. P.
who today are sunk