The Daily Alaska empire., 1936-01-02
UTE 1935& lbsIiII
Political Riddle Waits Solution This Year
By HERBERT YAHRAES Associated Press Staff Writer)

 1 trick-was that Huey P. Long was out of the picture.
 1 Since 1885 marked the third year, ! the definitely post-honeymoon pe- riod, of an administration whose re- covery and reform measures did not suit everybody, and since it was the springboard for a presidential cam- oaign, John Smith was not sur orised to find undisguised politics written large on the American scene. For time he found himself amid | he blood and thunder of old-fash- oned politics General Hugh John- son, former MIRA administrator, Sen- ator Long and Father Charles E. , Coughlin, radio priest, engaged in ' politico-economic debate, slammed out sizzling phrases reminiscent of he days when politicians orated in the glow of red fire torches. Name Calling
 Mad pied pipers," Johnson term d Long and Coughlin, public ene- nies number one and two" "eco- ! homie shysters," political termites." :"
 Father Coughlin retorted tn t | Johnson was "distorter of history ,erverter of logic" used "the logic of braggart," and that the money changers have marshaled their forces behind the leadership of the chocolate soldier"
 Tempered ex-crown prince" said Long of Johnson, and 'scapegoat' of the NRA."
 Later, Johnson discussed the lousy aspects of this Administration con- tinued to call for Roosevelt's re- election; the priest broke with the administration; Long fell before an assassin's gun at Baton Rouge. l Townsend's Power
 John Smith tried to gauge the position of Dr. Francis E. Town send, advocate of $200 month for the aged, as a possible inheritor of some of Longs power. The doctors plan failed to get anywhere with Congress last year. but his campaign continued, with indications the is sue would flavor many a congress sional race.
 Nevertheless, there seemed little evidence that either Townsend or iCoughlin would head political ma chine capable of disturbing the ma jor parties. Anti-administration Gov ernor Eugene Talmage attracted at tention, had some of Longs appeal, but his power outside Georgia was questionable.
 The 1886 fight seemed likely to be two-sided affair. yet hardly a straight out-and out battle between Democrats and Republicans. Some Democrats deplored, some Republi- cans admired, Administration poli- cies.
 It seemed to John Smith that the midwest would be major '36 battle ground. Development of the Admin listrations farm program, the boom- ing of midwesterners as possible Re- publican can d d t S, the grass roots" conference at Springfield, H., last summer, seemed to point that way.
 Attitude of Business , Nevertheless, Jnere were inGica- tions late in the year that instead of waging merely perfunctory cam paign in the east, where business seemed largely anti-administratio the Democrats might make that sec tion major battle-ground. Business in general seemed some what more favorable to the Admin : istration, the Democrats might make that section major battle-ground.
 Business in general seemed some what more favorable to the Admin istration after the President an nounced a breathing spell" but there was much proof, including g multitude of suits against new deal m assures, that strong business groups were not satisfied.
 For John Smith, even more cloud ed than the issues was the question of who would be Republican pres idential nominee. He heard a host of possible candidates mentioned outstanding among them Senator William E. Borah of Idaho, Governor Ali M. Landon of Kansas, Colone Frank Knox Chicago publisher He watched former President Herber, Hoover return to the arena, with speeches written in a more pictur- esque idiom. But Hoover's position still was not clear.
 Every One Pleased
 Nor did 1885 offer any considerable material on which to hazard guess as to this years outcome. The off year elections were of no great help, since leaders in each party claimed to be satisfied with the results.
 Postmaster General James A. Far ley, Democratic impressario, issued optimistic statements through the year. Both he and the President seemed impressed by the reception accorded the latter's tour through the west where he talked AAA pow CT policies, public works, neutrality. Republican Chairman Henry P Fletcher and associates professed te see the r-ieipO of O strooo .~..