Evening star., 1936-10-13

gathering in this city Sunday night
he was invited to address the meeting
after Rev. Gerald Smith. Lemke ex-
horter, had failed to make airplane
connections In time to reach Boise
Borah said:
"One of my American principles Is
to be just as free in politics as want
to be-" That seems to sum up his
position in this campaign.
Roosevelt appears to have the bulge
not only in Idaho, but also in Oregon.
Washington, Montana, Utah, Nevada,
all States of this mountain section OF
the country. Wyoming alone Is
claimed by the Republicans with some
justice. The chief reasons in Idaho.
as in these other States, seems to be
because the common man Is OF the
opinion that Roosevelt is his friend;
that the New Deal is being opposed
by the big interests and the moneyed
classes. The Republicans might be
able to offset this feeling to some ex-
tent if they could build up Landon
also as a friend of the poor man and
an enemy of the big interests. just
one speech from the Republican can
didate getting down to cases and
separating himself from the big in
terests might have great effect, 1t Is
said here.
G. o. p. Fighting Hard.
The Republicans in Idaho are fight
ing hard. They are doing their best
to organize the voters for the G. O. p.
ticket. At the same time, they are
not, obviously. hopeful OF carrying
the State for Landon. The talk here
in informed quarters is that the State
will 90 for Roosevelt by from $4,000
to 10000 and more emphasis Is laid
on the 10000 figure.
Four years ago Roosevelt carried
idaho with 109, 900 votes to 1000 for
Hoover-a plurality of $4,000 votes.
In 1928 Hoover, on the other hand,
took the State from Al Smith with q
plurality of $4,000. At the time Sena-
tor Borah was campaigning for
Hoover. Generally speaking, Idaho has
been a Republican State over the years.
It must be remembered, however, that
1t is one of the mining States of the
Union-gold and silver. In 1896 and
again in 1900 Idaho gave its electoral
votes to William Jennings Bryan, the
New Dealer of that day. Bryan and
his free silver policy was the choice
of the Idaho people against William
Mckinley. And the silver and gold
issue, as represented in the Roose-
velt policy, Is having its effect here
today. The mihes are operating today
to a greater extent that for years. due.
It is said, entirely to the Roosevelt
policy.
Far More Prosperous.
The very fact that Idaho Is far more
prosperous today than 1t has been for
q number of years is operating in
favor of Roosevelt. Whether this
prosperity is due largely to Govern
ment spending and whether 1t Is
merely ephemeral appears not to halt
q feeling of satisfaction. The voters,
particularly the farmers, the miners
and the small business men. appar-
emily are willing to take the cash and
let the future take care of itself. The
farmers have had good crops. They
are getting good prices for their po-
tatoes. The cattle and sheep raisers
would prefer better prices for their
stock, but they are not greatly dis
satisfied, take them by and large.
All of these things, plus labor's strong
leaning to Roosevelt, are having their
effect on the campaign.
The Republicans are relying on win
ming back the farmers because Of
very dislike on their part for the re-
ciprocal trade agreements. They are
stressing, too, the mounting public
debt and the annual deficits running