Evening star., 1935-10-06

from the domestic allotment plan,
and indirectly through increases in
farm prices, which are attributed by
Democratic spokesmen to this plan.
But Idaho agriculture is far from
exclusively, or mainly, engaged in the
basic commodity industries for
which the domestic allotment plan
operates. The bulk of Idaho farm
income. at least SO far as the more
populouS countries are concerned,
comes from speciality crops, notably
potatoes. onions, dried beans, celery,
lettuce, green peas and similar prod
ucts. These men have received no
domestic allotment payments, and
many of them, particularly the po-
tato farmers, have suffered from the
diversion of cotton and wheat land
into potato growing.
Most Idaho residents on the side
lines scof at the idea that even Gov.
Ross can upset Mr. Borah: but
to Ross and that devoted phalanx
which has followed his fortunes. there
is nothing rash in the assumption not
only that he will succeed Borah in
the Senate next year-whisper it
softly-but that he will be in the
White House in l94l.
Rivals Differ Greatly.
Perhaps nowhere in Idaho politics
could a more striking contrast be-
tween two men be found, particularly
since both men found their voting
strength on the same elements. Mr..
Borah is a university graduate, a
professional man, a profound student,
a clustered intellectual; Mr.. Ross
ended his schooling at the sixth grade
and boasts Of it. He is politically
an opportunist, with no very pro-
found philosophy of government or
economics, rough and tumble fighter
in the political arena, a crowner of
rodeo queens, kisser of babies and
Q good deal of a circus clown in his
methods. Yet in spite of this con-
trast the two are the most successful
politicians the State has produced.
Mr. Ross is the first native of
Idaho elected to the Governorship
and the first man who held the Office
three terms He has received the
largest vote ever given to any candi-
date in Idaho. though in previous
elections Mr.. Borah has received a
larger percentage of the vote than
Ross has obtained.
Mr.. Ross was born on cattle ranch
near the confluence Of the Snake and
Boise Rivers about 1877, though he
carefully guards his age. His early
years were passed as COW waddy, in
the saddle at daybreak for work on
the range. then out at country dance
until midnight, and so home and to
bed. Yet, in spite of his rearing in
that atmosphere, he copies Borah in
that he neither smokes nor drinks.
When the cattle business began to
yield to farming Mr.. Ross took up ir-
rigated farming, but he boasts now
that, since he was IA years old he
was determined to be Governor.
In preparation for that elevation
he served first as county commissioner
in his native county several terms.
When he left that post he rented his
farm and moved to the city of Poca-
tello, at the other end of the State, the
second largest town in the State. He
had property there, inherited from his
father. This was just after the war.
He Immediately ran for mayor of
Pocatello and served eight years de-
spite the united efforts of Republicans
and Democrats to unSeat him.
Defeated in 1928.
In 1928, convinced that Alfred E.
Smith would sweep the State, he
grabbed the nomination for Governor,
which he had previously refused, but
went down to defeat in the Repub-
llcan landslide. He at once re-entered
the lists at Pocatello and was re-
elected mayor, largely through his
hold on labor in the States strongest
union city.
The 1880 campaign brought bitter
breach in Republican ranks and Mr..
Ross, renominated by the Democrats.
became Governor by a majority of
16 900, with a Republican Legislature,
Republican State officials and Repub-
lican control of most counties. His
first term was spectacular-he dis
covered graft in q highway district
Office and so industriously used this
discovery to create the impression OF
a graft-ridden administration Though
there never we're any other prosecu-
tjons, disclosures or even dismissals)
that in 1882 he actually ran 5000
votes ahead of Mr.. Roosevelt, amassed
the astounding total of 10000 bal
lots and defeated his Republican op-
ponent (whose vote was the largest
ever cast for any Republican, by
$4,000.
But there is an Achilles heel in his
strength. Success has created a pro-
found self trust and contempt for op-
position. His absorbing ambition has
prevented his making real personal
friends and has led him into the rash-
ness of broken promises and to scorn
of his party organization. He told
the Senators of his party, in caucus,
that they could go to hell" that he
could carry the State without them.
His campaign oratory is the oppo-
site Of Borah's. He picks out unerr-
insly the lowest mental level Of an