Evening star., 1936-07-20
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

High ceSt Of living as possible conSe-
quence Of drought conditions, is one of
the factors now muddying the calcula-
tions of political managers in both
parties. If such household staples as
meat, milk, potatoes, butter and sugar
should undergo any considerable rise in
prices during the Summer and Fall, 1t
would be normal for voters to be inf1u-
enced unpleasantly by the effect on the
family budget. Such prospect is one of
the reasons why the New Dealers are
anxious to see drought conditions amel-
iorated as rapidly as possible either by
the processes of nature or through the
governmental relief activities now getting
vigorously under way. Meantime admin
Stration authorities plan to keep a sharp
lookout on food prof1teering. According
to Secretary wallace, there is no justi-
fcation for gouging, although. as usual,
there are already some indications of
tendency to exploit the drought, with
accompanying warnings that sooner or
later there may be dangerous shortage
OF certain food necessities and resultant
higher prices.
Both Democratic and Republican
strategists from now on will be busily
engaged In figuring out which party will
be hit the harder by the Lemke-Town-
send Coughlin- Smith quadruple alliance.
While the view widely persists that the
New Deal will be the chief sufferer,
Democrats point out that the third party
threat may prove to be blessing in
disguise for them in that the ultra radical
onslaught against President Roosevelt
may rally to his standard certain hitherto
hostile conservatives. Republicans are
convinced that the forces just leagued at
Cleveland for more or less common action
spell greater danger to F. D. R. than to
Gov. Landon. But all concerned admit
it's too early to gauge with certainty just
what is going to happen. Only one thing
is Sure-that the third partyiteS have
projected into the campaign situation
which neither Democrats nor Repub-
licans can afford to Scorn as unworthy
of notice.
Chairman Hamilton left no doubt dur
ing his recent whirlwind tour OF New
England that he lays paramount stress
on winning the Maine State elections in
September. If the Republicans can re-
elect Senator Wallace H. White, jr.;
capture at least two Of the House seats
and elect their gubernatorial candidate,
they believe the psychological effect of
chow Maine goes" will be of inestimable
value for the Landon-Knox ticket
throughout the country in November.
Mr.. Hamilton exudes complete confidence
that the elephant viii sweep Maine for
both State and congressional offices, be-
cause of anti-New Deal sentiment ram
pant in New England. But the fact that
Gov. Brann, Democrat, was reelected in
1884 and that Senator Hale, Republican,
squeezed through for reelection by only
1900 majority, fills Pine Tree State
Democrats with hope that they will more
than hold their own this year. Chairman
Farley, too, bankers for q psychological"
Maine victory in September.
Definite indication of the advent Of
national labor party four years hence Is
seen In last weeks action Of delegates
representing 100000 organized workers in
launching New York State labor party.
While their immediate objective is to
rally the 100000 New York trade
unionists behind President Roosevelt and
Gov. Lehman in November, leaders Of the