Evening star., 1936-08-03

AS the presidential campaign swings
into the present month. with two more
to follow before the voters of the country
register their final decision at the polls
in early November, it may be stated
that much of the activity in progress
now is in the nature of preliminary
skirmishing. preparing the ground for
the big drive" which is to come during
the last six weeks of the contest.
Although many important speeches will
be made between now and the middle
OF September by outstanding leaders OF
both. or all, parties and their con
tents duly noted" by the electorate, 1t
is the opinion of many trained political
observers in the Nations Capital that the
speeches delivered and the statements
issued during the last few weeks OF the
campaign will be the most telling in their
effect. These observers point out that
many of the undecided and independent
voters will not make up their minds
definitely on some of the issues until
shortly before the election. While no
official announcement has been made as
to President Roosevelts speaking plans,
it is understood reliably that he has
decided to wait and "unlimber his big
guns during the latter part OF the
campaign.
With the labor question an outstand
ing issue in the coming campaign and
the labor vote most important factor
in determining the outcome of the
presidential election. unusual interest
centers in the final result of the titanic
struggle in which William Green presi-
dent of the American Federatio. -
Labor, and John L. Lewis, head of the
Committee for Industrial Organization,
are now engaged. In his address before
the National Press Club several days ago,
from which forum Mr.. Lewis had spoken
10 DAYS previously Mr.. Green emphat-
ically asserted that the issue was that
of "the democratic majority against
minority rule" So firm was the fedora
ton president in his conviction that this
principle must be maintained that he
declared he was willing to make any
sacrifice, even to resigning his post. in
order to keep intact the labor organiza-
tion which he has headed for the past
12 wears. Not only labor itself but the
country as whole is watching this
contest with the keenest interest, first
because of the effect it may have on
the coming elections and secondly be-
cause of what it may mean, If perma-
nent division comes in the ranks OF
labor, to the whole future OF the organ
lied labor movement.
Disput1bg the claims of Representative
Chester O. Bolton of Ohio, chairman OF
the Republican Congressional Commit
tee, who ftresees victory for his party at
the polls IN November, Senator Joseph
F. Guffey of Pennsylvania chairman OF
the Democratic Senatorial Campaign
Committee, and Representative Drewry
of Virginia, chairman Of the Democratic
Congressional Committee, are conndent
of Overwhelming Democratic victory.
Senator Guffey sees no chance OF Demo-
cratic defeat. Representative Drewry,
while also predicting success, argues tnat
divided control in the Federal Govern
.ment" would be a calamity. "Shoulo
Gov. Landon," he says. "gratify the fond
hopes of his friends and capture enough
electoral votes to win the election-a
contingency which seems wholly I'M
probable to me-he would be faced by
Congress firmly controlled by the oppo-
sition party" And the result OF this, ne
adds, would be something approaching
legislative chaos"
Slogans have played an important part
IN many presidential campaigns In tne