Evening star., 1936-01-02
THE POLITICAL
MILL
BY G.. Could Lincoln.

StdCc Ol Tie OIllOn Dh6 Set tIle 1cpuD-
licans wild They charge him with
showmanship, with using this constitu-
tional prerogative for the purpose of a
political speech. OF course, until the
President makes his address tomorrow
night to the Congress no one will know
whether 1t is a political speech or not.
The Presidents remarks are to be broad
cast. They would have been broadcast
had he planned to speak in the middle
of the day instead of at night. At night,
however, 1t is expected that his radio
audience will be much larger. So the
Republicans froth at the mouth.
Henry P. Fletcher, chairman of the
Republican National Committee, has de-
manded of the broadcaSting companies
that time be given Republican speakers
to answer the address of the President.
They are, presumably, broadcasting the
Presidents address to Congress free of
charge. Broadcasting political speeches
made by representatives of political COM
mitteeS usually cost lot OF real money.
If the broadcasting companies accede to
the request of Mr.. Fletcher, it will be
interesting to see what speakers are put
forward to answer the President. The
G. o. P. committee might present series
of Republican presidential candidates or
near-candidates. The people would have
a chance then to compare them, so far
as their speaking abilities are concerned
and their ideas. Why not put on Borah
of Idaho, Landon of Kansas, Knox of
Illinois and Vandenberg of Michigan.
Others might be added.
4
Nothing like that in all probability will
happen. But it would be interesting to
the people. and to Republicans generally,
who will select in the end their cam
didate to run against President Roose-
welt next November. Chairman Fletcher,
although he jabs at the President Tor
seeking to make a show of his annual
message and to bring down to the level
of a political speech his constitutional
right and duty to address Congress on
the state of the Union" says that the
Republicans do not object to the pro-
gram. but merely wish equal oppor-
tunities to place their arguments before
the people.
The Roosevelt Democrats continue to
fight the battle of 1882, up to date Their
replies to Republican attacks point to the
conditions which existed in this country
in 1882 and early 1893, before President
Roosevelt took control. A good many
of the voters are interested in what has
been going on Since 1882. 1t is in
evitable that sooner or later the CAM
paign will turn on conditions as they
exist in 1886.
The Democrats, barking back to the
days of 1892, insist that conditions have
enormously improved. Senator Hayden
of Arizona, for example, in statement
issued through the Publicity Bureau Of
the Democratic National Committee, says
that the annual national income has
increased $4,000 900 900 since Roosevelt
entered the White House, that the value
of listed stocks has increased by S20,-
600 900 900, and that the value OF bonds
is $1,000 600 900 greater. and that farm
income has increased by s3,000O 600 900.
He takes the poSition-aS other New
Dealers will in the coming months-that
the Roosevelt expenditures have brought
real results And he argues that about
half of the $4,000, 900 900 deficit which
the Roosevelt spending program has
rolled up represents loans made by the
r. F.. c., the Farm Credit Administration
and other Government agencies which
are being repaid.
4
The Republican critics of the admins
tration agree to no such figures. They
wave before the people a public debt
which is above $50 900 900 900, and they
want to know who is going to pay for 1t.
They point out that some 100000 to
IL .O0O, 900 workers are still unemployed,
rI fkayy n knnW UhV ThpV 60
not hesitate to answer these questions
in their own way. They say the people,
each and every one, are to have the tax
burden increased. They say that there
are so many unemployed because the
Roosevelt administration has hampered
and terrorized business at every turn.
The Democrats are going into the COM
ing political race with 1882 model. The
Republicans are still seeking perfect
So a model of perfection. There is al
ways the danger that in the Republican
scramble some of the paint may be
scraped off the @. o. p. presidential
models. But that is chance which the
Republicans have to take. Already one
wing Of the Republican party is seeking
to tear down and belittle Senator Borah
of Idaho. 1t might spend its time extoll-
ing some other Republican candidate
for the nomination, instead Of throwing
mud at the Idaho Senator. But it seems
to fear the nomination of Mr.. Borah.
Borah is out in front, making all the
running now. If he is to get anywhere
with certain elements in the Republican
party opposed to him-that seems to be
his only course of action. Popular sup
port may put him into the presidential
race. Certainly it will not be support OF
big business and the Old Guard conserv-
atives that give him chance. How far
Borah can get remains to be seen, IN
the light of the opposition that is now
developing to him. 1t still seems true.
however, that if he runs we'll in Ohio
and other big primary States it will be
difficult for any group of Republicans to
prevent his nomination. The Republic
ans nominate their candidates, it will be
remembered, by majority vote OF the
delegates to their national convention.
They do not have to struggle with two
thirds rule, as do the Democrats. when
it comes to picking their presidential
and vice presidential candidates.
Senator Capper of Kansas has returned
to Washington an ardent booSVeE FOR the
nomination for President of Gov. ALT M.
Landon. In his opinion Landon, the
Kansas Governor, is the Republicans
best bet" Landon, he says, fits into
the picture. His record of economy and
efficiency as chief executive Of the Sun
flower State commends him to the coun-