Evening star., 1936-09-20

decent poiitlcS.
The Record in Kansas.
Some people will attempt to explain
away Landon's unique record BY say
ing that the burden of unemployment
was met by Federal funds and that the
savings effected under Landon's ad-
ministrstion were merely bookkeep-
ing figures. The records disprove this.
Kansas, like other agricultural States,
was very hard hit by the depression.
The monthly report of the Federal
Emergency Relief Administration for
March, 1895, shows that Kansas, dur
ing 1888 and 1884, met with State
funds more than 80 per cent Of the
emergency relief expenditures. Only
IA States have better record. Among
the IA are Iowa and Indiana. The
record of Ohio, Nebraska. Illinois,
Texas, Minnesota. Missouri, Utah,
Washington, Oklahoma, Oregon. Vir-
ginia, the Dakotas, Kentucky, North
Carolina and, in fact all Of the others,
with the exception Of the IA already
mentioned, becomes increasingly de-
pressing, the percentage running from
SOL to is.
One not infrequently hears the
comment that Mr.. Landon Is Hearst's
protege. This, of course, Is not true.
Four years ago Hearst supported
Roosevelt. After a time he broke
with him, and, naturally, tried to
guess the trend Of Republican think
ing. II he chose to present Landon
to his readers, that was something
that could not be helped. In the
California primaries, Landon neither
put forward his name. nor refused
others the right to use it. The course
followed here was identical with the
course followed in every other State
q party ballot.
And Landon's private life meets the
test as well as his public career. One
Of the delightful things about the
Landon family Is the wholesome at
mosphere of the home life. It is a
part of the Governors routine to pass
every available evening in the un-
pretentious house at Eighth and
Buchanan streets.
Mrs. Landon, gracious and modest
as she Is, has no desire to feature
the front pages, appear in advertising
copy or make addresses from soap
boxes. She prefers to be with her
children, or, upon occasion, to play
the harp for her husband and friends
Indeed, If the Landons move to the
White House. it looks very much as
though the White House would not
willingly compete with the circus or
the cinema in providing public enter
tainment This may not prove to our
liking, but that's the way Of 1t. And
no matter what happens, Peggy Ann
plans to finish her studies at the
University of Kansas.
After the Election-What?
I cannot imagine ALI Landon car
ried away by illusions of grandeur
He has too much common sense not
to know that one man can't capably
manage the vast machinery of this
country-the tasks too big. 1t is my
guess that If elected he will surround
himself with men of unusual ability
and experience, men in whom he can
believe and trust. And they will be
men of his own selection and not ap-
pointments born of political expedi-
ency. The man does his own think
ing and is rather fortnight in voicing
his decisions.
The job Of running this country
calls for unusual, rather than ex-
traordinary talents. The aspirant
should have business ability. other
wise there will be great waste. He
should be, in the best sense Of the
word, a politician, otherwise he will
be unable to gain cooperation, He
should be we'll informed and intelli-
gent, otherwise he will commit grave
errors. He should be level-headed, d,
and guided by few strong instincts,
otherwise he will lead us into devious
by-paths. His integrity should be
above question, otherwise he will
countenance irregularities. Check
over the qualifications on, your fin-
gers. How many of our Presidents,
in your day, have measured up"7
From what I heard and saw OF Lam
don, believe he will.
Here Is q man who has demon
strated his ability. No one who knows
him is likely to question his honesty.
His knowledge Of economics and busi-
ness places him far above most Of
today's political leaders. He believes
in the destiny of his people. To him
"big business" Is but means to an
end, and his soul is serene.
Finding the Middle Road.
Perhaps the Republican party took
Landon because it was Landon or
party suicide Time may demonstrate
that the choice was providential.