Evening star., 1936-08-18

oppose him, won the nomination after
the Democratic vote showed an almost
$3.50 split, an evidence presumably
Of resentment against the Governors
sales tax and other levies. Borah, 1t
is taken for granted, now will get
many of the anti-Ross votes cast in
the Democrtic primary as well as
many Democrats who didn't vote at
all.
I found the Snator hale and hearty
and very happy over the outcome OF
the primaries. We had long talk,
not about State issues or the cam
paign here, but about the national
political situation. There is not bit
of rancor in his heart over the fact
he was not nominated for the presi-
dency at Cleveland. His friendhneSS
to Gov. Iandon was obvious through
out the conversation. His concern is
about the trend Of the Republican
campaign as whole in the West. For
while he din't say so in as many words.
it appeared to me simple inference
that unless Gov. Landon makes the
right appeal TO the folks in the West
his candidacy may be liability rather
than an asset to anybody running on
local Republican ticket who depends
on support from independent voters
in both parties.
To Hew to Own Line.
It should be explained at this point
that regular Republicans here have
wanted Borah to come out enthus-
iastically for Landon and make a
series Of stump speeches for the ma
tional ticket. Borah, Of course, is
going to make several speeches. That
is settled. And he will discuss ma
tional issues as he sees them. letting
the chips fall where they may.
But Borah has some definite notions
about how Republican nominee, who
really wants to present himself to the
West as progressive, should go about
1t. II Landon senses this problem
and, by his addresses. reveals HIM
self as progressive, then the task
of men like Senator Borah in appeal
ing to Western audiences will be rel
etively easy.
Much depends on the outcome OF
Iandon's present trip. The speech Of
acceptance, of course. passed muster
and 1t Is realized that he could not
cover all the topics on issues in any
detail. Now, however, as he takes up
one by one the issues of the campaign,
the opportunity to examine the quail
ity OF Landons progresSiveiSm is at
hand.
All over the State the reports are
coming In showing a distinct trend
toward Landon, but at the same time
many questions are being asked as, for
instance, What does Landon stand
for?" Another one is, Who owns
Iandon?" The trek of Eastern con-
servatives to Topeka has called up the
latter question. But it is significant
that while there are searching ques-
tions about Landon, the opposition to
President Roosevelt, even in an agri-
cultural State like Idaho, is such that
many independents will vote for Mr..
1andon merely as a protest against
the Roosevelt policies and as an in
surance against the instability of an
other New Deal term.
Want High Type Campaign.
made inquiries here and found
that among independent Republicans
and independent Democrats there is
a genuine eagerness to know more
about the Landon philosophy. Cen
eralities will hardly do any more than
mere negative criticism of Mr.. Roose-
welt. Thus, Notwithstanding all the
criticism Of Mr.. Roosevelt, there is a
kindly regard for him, even among
those who will vote against him. They
appreciate the fact, as so many ex-
press 1t, that "he tried to do some
thing" They will not be swayed by
bitter attacks on him. They want'the
campaign conducted on higher plane
than mere denunciation
This plainly indicates that Landon
has a job of affirmative campaigning
10 turn the West. Strangely enough,
many Of the topics that the East boils
bver are not mentioned here The
principal underlying trend however,
Is one OF fear that the New Deal