Evening star., 1936-01-06

Republicans are still writhing with
resentment and remonStrance over PreSi-
dent Roosevelt'S action in delivering
campaign speech" in the guise OF a
message to Congress on the state OF the
Union. F. D. RS maneuver has not only
embittered, but embattled, the G. 0. P.
and goaded it into a fiercer determina-
ton than ever to wage deadly war on
the New Deal Some Republicans think
the episode will turn out to be Demo-
cratic boomerang if they can sell the
idea that Mr. Roosevelt took unfair ad-
vantage of highly constitutional and
traditional occasion for partisan pur-
noses. Aftermath indications are plenti-
ful that the whole precedent-Smashing
affair is destined to become paramount
1886 issue Not only the Republicans,
but the American Liberty League and
other unnamed groups, especially ma
tional business bodies, which came under
the presidential lash, are certain to strike
back in two-flsted fashion. Many poll
ticians believe the President has pitched
the key for a campaign in which no
quarter" will be the rule on both SIDES.
X
AL Smiths Liberty League dinner
speech assumes, under the circumstances,
an Importance and timelineSs hardly
dreamed of when the festivity was ar
ranged. AS consistent and outstanding
opponent of the "baloney" aspects OF
the New Deal, the former Governor is in
strategic position to launch frontal at
tack upon it and take his cue from the
yigor with which President Roosevelt has
lust cracked down on his critics. Smith
is q past master in tearing an opposition
case to pieces. When he cuts loose on
January Is in his famous ''let's look at
the record" style, fur is sure to ny.
Word drifts down from the dizzy heights
of the Empire State Building that the
idol of Manhattan is coming to wash
ington in full war paint. Senator James
Hamilton Lewis, Democrat, of Illinois
wouldn't be surprised If Smith eventually
is cast for the role of an independent
presidential candidate on q "constltu-
tional Democrat" ticket, to be launched
in the hope of preventing Roosevelt from
getting New York's essential As electoral
votes.
It cost the big radio networks $4,000
to $4,000 apiece to clear the air waves
for President Roosevelt'S broadcast from
the Capitol. The amounts named repre-
sent roughly the revenue which c. B. s.
and N. B. G. lost through cancellation OF
commercial programs regularly sched-
uled from 9 to 10 pm. Fridays on Nation-
wide hook-ups. OF Mr.. Roosevelt's 21
broadcasts during 1885, only were de-
livered in valuable radio night time.
Two of them were talks on Boy Scout
occasions, one concerned the mobiliza-
ton for human needs, one was fire
side chat" on relief and one, on the
Presidents birthday, dealt with the
national fund for treatment of infantile
paralysis. The radio networks do not
sell time for political speeches before the
national conventions. From the moment
presidential candidates are nominated
and until election day both parties must
pay for air spellbinding. 4
~ 4 ~ 81
Because of the activities of his friends
in various States, Senator Borah is SO
far the only prominent Republican presi-
Dental candidate In the field rs an out
right bidder for delegates. But the next
few weeks are sure to tind the advocates