Evening star., 1934-10-07
BY NICHOLAS ROOSEVELT.
Former United States Minister to Hunsar,

~
A LTHOUGH the political proph-
~ cts are almost unanimous in
~ regarding an overwhelming
4 a Democratic victory in Novem-
ber as a certainty, there rarely
has been as much uncertainty in the
minds of the American electorate
about political problems as exists at
the present moment.
Millions of voters are thoroughly
dissatisfied with the existing ma
chinery of politics Both parties are
split into factions. Countless Demo-
Gratis oppose the New Deal but refuse
to vote the Republican ticket. Count
less Republicans approve of parts of
the New Deal. Others disapprove of
the New Deal but dislike and diStrust
even more the reactionary elements in
control of the Republican party in
many States.
Various ProgressiveS have virtually
joined the New Dealers. In California
not only have the Socialists joined
forces with the Democrats, but the
advocates of such impossible panaceas
as a $200-a- month pension for every
one over IS years of age have tagged
themselves onto the Democratic ticket.
In the South, in contrast, conserva-
tive Democrats are in open revolt
against the New Deal. Even in New
York the Democracy is sharply divided
between those who are for and against
it. The Old Guard Republicans, still
in control Of the Republican machine,
have lost control of the Republican
voters.
Can't Beat Santa Claus at Polls.
The paradox-that there is cer-
tainty as to the outcome in November
in the midst of so much uncertainty
is easily explained by the oft-re-
peated remark that you can't beat
Santa Claus at the polls. Not only
has the administration organized a
scientifically elaborate spending policy
calculated to be even more effective
than the largest possible campaign
chest, but it has made alluring ap-
peals to the selfish interests of count
less groups of voters. The thorough
ness of Dispenser General Farley's
organization, reaching into every
county in the Nation, has made it
possible to place public works projects
| and other Government relief benefits
in those places where they will be
most appreciated Who, under the
| circumstances, will risk interrupting
this free flow of Government funds by
turning down the New Deal, which is
Its source?
The dissatisfaction among the voters
may be classified under three head
ings: Economic, constitutional and
political.
Among the economically dissatisfied
are all of those who are opposed to
the old system which existed in this
country prior to the great depression.
surprisingly large number of indi-
viduals feel that what they call the
capitalist system has failed. They
are convinced that the system can
not be reinvigorated and that 1t
should, therefore, be scrapped. They
see IN the New Deal a tool to do this
scrapping.
Believe Panaceas Will Be Used.
Several other groups believe that
certain economic patent medicines. If
freely enough administered, will re-
store the whole system to its original
vitality. The failure of the admins
tration to use these favorite patent
medicines has made these groups even
more dissatisfied with the existing
order. But they believe that the New
Dealers are more likely than the Re-
publicans to use these panaceas.
Finally, there are the millions Of the
unemployed, whose cause for dissatis-
faction with an economic system which
has left them out of work for several
years is so obvious as to need no COM
ment. So long as the New Deal
promises them work and gives them
money they are for It.
Under the heading Of "constitu-