, 1934-11-13
WASHINGTON
BY George Dunno

BY George Dunno
l94O-A lot Of the experts have
been keening like bansnees over TIT
Republican Party since last weeks
overwhelming vote Of confidence ir
the New Deal.
Fguratively. they have been de.
picting q sign in the window Of O.
o. p. headquarters which reads
"Wanted-One leader, one issue
land a hell Of a lot Of votes)."
This portrayal Is strictly the
bunk. The Elephant isn't a fur
bearing animal but he knows wheT
to hibernate.
Believe it or not, the boys who
make the republican wheels &c
round had their 1886 presidential
candidate all picked out long before
the electorate marched to the polk
last Tuesday.
Arthur II. Vandenburg, u. s. sena-
tor from Michigan. is his name.
Barring a toe-stubbing act by
President Roosevelt in the next two
years Senator Vandenburg will gel
very favorable consideration from
the bosses in the next Republican
convention-provided OF course he
continues to perform adeptly on the
flying trapeze OF Washington poll
tics.
This advonce selection By the
wire-pullers isn't altogether compli-
mentary 10 ~Vandenberg. Those who
would set him UP in SO at this
writing think OF the next Republi-
can candidate as a burnt offering.
They privately can't see anything
but MI. Roosevelt'S reelection UNI
less the New Deal goes up agoinst
an earthquake.
The q. o. p. inner circle knew
months ago it was going to take a
beating in the bye-election Just
tabulated. Among others Ogden
Mills warned all his colleagues to
be prepared for a democratic land
slide.
Republicans in the know have
been pointing for 1886 only for pub
LEGATION. Since the Maine results
they have been holding their
horses for 1888 and 1870.
Well in advance OF last weeks
election, political S~tatisticians for
the q. o. p. had prepared a most
private chart indicating a mild re-
ceSSion in New Deal popularity this
year and reelection of President
Roosevelt two years hence. Then In
1888 is supposed TO come a decided
swing-back in the congressional
election followed by a situation in
1910 that will make any republican
nominated a cinch for the presi-
dency.
Though the statisticianS were a
bit of in their predictions for this
year the Republican high command
still banks on the rest Of the pro-
lection.
One man whose voice rises high
in Republican councils has told his
intimates it wouldn't help the
party at all to elect a president in
1885. AS this Seer sees il, the man
who gets a White House lease in 80
is bound to be kicked out in 40 be-
couse heavy taxes and radical ideas
will build turbulence among the
ppblic. He is counseling that in 1910
the republicans can come back In
power and stay there for a long
time.
Analysis Of political trends since
well before The turn Of the century
indicates that salvation OF the Ie-
publican party would come quickest
through reconstruction under the
hands Of the LaFollette brothers OF
Wisconsin.
Fighting Bob" LaFollette. father
Of the present mentors Of the Pro-
greSsive Party. began writing plat
forms for the Republican Party
many years ago. Each time he
offered one in a national conven-
ton he was booed down. but about
twenty years later those rejected
platforms successfully were adopted
without question and most Of the
elder LaFoliette's early ideas are
now law.
Complete realignment Of Repub-
lican ideas 70 fit those Of Senator
Bob and Governor Phil Of Wiscon-
sin would be heart-wrenching for
many who have followed the G. o.
p banner but the political funerals
OF last week make such pain so
what?' Certainly something akin
to this must be done II the Re-
publicans are to make a serious
threat at the Democratic New Deal.
Even should Republican sentiment
turn in this direction, Of course.
there Is one hurdle TO cross that
President Roosevelt himself built.
Young Bob LaFollette has been sup
ported by the administration and
vice versa ever since 1882. Per-
haps FDR knows his new deal can
be beaten only by a man yonger
than himself and therefore took
Young Bob into camp at an early
date.
More-Democratic Committee rail-
birds say Maestro Jim Farley is
thinking about giving some of his
brain -trustish colleagues in the New
Deal a blackboard talk with dry
Kansas as the case In point. II the
lesson in political rudiments ma
terializeS Secretary Of Agriculture
Wallace. Secretary Of Interior Icks
and Relief Administrator Hopkins
are supposed TO benefit.
According to the hardboiled head
quarters Democrats the New Deal
missed out in the sunflower state
because administration idealists per-
mitted Republicans TO play Santa
Clause. Senator Arthur Capper and
Governor ALI Landon are reputed