Evening star., 1936-08-19

A''u and they all say
the same thing-that they have been
given an inspiring lesson in party or
ganiZation work.
When I was in Chicago the story
was that the headquarters was not
getting organized because the head
of the committee was away. A ma
tional chairman, of course, cannot
possibly be in two places at once, so
he usually stays at headquarters and
uses the long distance phone to reach
his local chieftains. But it develops
that Hamilton has been reversing the
process-keeping in touch with his
Office in Chicago by phone twice
day and keeping the battle going him
self on the real firing line.
There can be no doubt that the Re-
publican organizations in various
States in the West have been weak.
The same is true, of course, of several
Eastern States. If Hamilton could
visit every State he would be doing
something that no other Republican
chairman in a campaign has seemingly
dared to do. For it is risk to be
away because of the many prelimi-
naries that have to be arranged at
new headquarters. On the other hand,
1t develops that Gov. Landon him.
self made the decision, and felt that
Hamilton should follow the plan Of
personal contact with county chair
men in the West until about August
20, and then concentrate at head
quarters.
Gets Invaluable Background.
As a matter of fact, Hamilton has
gotten background on his recent trip
which will be invaluable to him when
he gets back to headquarters. For one
thing, he has sat down with county
chairmen of all kinds and he knows
the kind of follow-up that will become
necessary if he is to have an effective
organization.
What Chairman Hamilton does on
his arrival in a State is to have a
heart-to-heart talk with as many
county chairmen as can get to CEN
tral meeting place. They come from
far and wide, and out in this country
the distances are something. But these
county chairmen have made an amaz-
ing record in the percentage OF those
who have attended. Hamilton's talks
to them do not get into the papers
not that there Is anything mysterious
about them, but the details OF party
organization, precinct canvass and
the like are all too colorless to be news.
The speeches which Hamilton
makes, of course, get the headlines and
local publicity. He made himself such
prominent national figure at the Cleve-
land convention that he would offend
the local committees and the commu-
mites he visits if he didn't make an
address. And besides he is an eX-
cellent stump speaker, genial, good
voiced and logical in the presentation
Of his argument. The mass meeting
in Seattle, attended by 5000 people,
was one of the biggest ever held in
that city and the enthusiasm of the
audience was itself an inspiration to
the county chairmen who attended.
Wise Decision.
Altogether, am beginning to be-
lieve that Landon made a wise de-
cision when he sent his Kansas war
rior into these Western States to get
the local organizations lined up in
August. And I will be very much sur
prised if this does not turn out to be
about the best-managed Republican
national campaign since 1896.
incidentally, what Hamilton is doing
could not have been done even as late
as eight years ago. He travels in a
big 10-paSSenger plane with an Office
in it. The reporters travel with him
and so do his research assistants.
There are airports now in nearly every
place of any importance. Likewise,
the people who come to meet him from
= large State, for instance, come by
plane, too. Not only does all this save
time, but Hamilton sleeps in hotel
every night and gets an opportunity to
spend most of his time in the cities
and towns he visits rather than so
much of it in actual travel.
Stresses Value of Youth.
But even with these modern con-
veniences there is lesson in the HAM
Nton experience. National committees
would do well hereafter to note that
It takes an energetic young man, an
athletic type like John Hamilton, with
plenty Of physical endurance, to make
pep talks to local organizations, to at
tend luncheons, dinners and suppers
with party workers, young Repub-
icans, old Republicans, womens
leagues, etc, and to make a speech
ut a mass meeting which Is broadcast