Evening star., 1936-09-10
.LANDON'S MAINE
VISIT DEBATED
Leaders of Both Parties
Divided in Opinion as to
Wisdom of Move.
BY lay G. HAYDEN.


AUGUSTA, Me, September 10
fN.A.N.A).-The dramatic decision OF
Gov. Landon to stake his future on the
vote of the Maine electorate, by COM
Ing to Portland Saturday to close the
campaign, is the sole subject Of dis
cussion among politicos of all parties
here today, and with sharp difference
of opinion as to the wisdom of this
stroke.
Republican State and local candi-
dates. without exception, are delighted
because they believe the visitation Ger
tainly will strengthen the party ticket
from top to bottom, but this Is not the
reaction Of all the members OF the
Republican high command in the East.
A number of men of very high rank
in the party are known to have argued
that Landon would be taking an un-
necessary and hazardous chance in
identifying himself directly with this
first test at the polls. These men say
that the Republicans were sure of q
reasonably complete victory in any
event; that the Landon visit may prove
to be a boomerang rather than a help;
and that if. in spite of it, the Re-
publicans are beaten in Maine, the
effect will be a severe and probably
fatal setback to the Republican cause
everywhere.
Democrats Delighted.
AS for the Democrats, they profess
to be delighted. They are hailing the
Landon visit as an indication of Re-
publican fright and supreme compli-
ment to their candidates, with par
ticular emphasis on the great CAM
paign that they say Gov. Louis J.
Brann Is making in this last week be-
fore election
Also, the Democrats hastened TO
grab half hour of radio time, follow
ing Gov. Landon's speech, in which
Gov. Brann will make an answer. 1t
is acknowledged that there is q slight
embarrassment in this regard in that
Landon undoubtedly will level his at
tack exclusively again President Roose-
welt and the New Deal Gov. Brann,
up to date, has not specifically Endorsed
either the President or his ma jor
policies. The Republicans are saying
that. If Brann now shifts this strategy
, to defend the Washington administra-
tion. he will lose rather than gain
votes.
Information from the Republican
inner circle here is that the decision
to come to Maine was entirely Landon's s
own and it was promised on a complete
confidence on his part, based on straw
votes and other tests of the Maine
electorate, that the State is over
whelmingly for him and against Presi-
dent Roosevelt.
y The one contest at all doubtful, Gov.
Landon was convinced, is the United
States senatorship, in which the
acknowledged personal popularity OF
Gov. Brann is pitted against the gen.
eral Republican trend.
Two Major Purposes.
In his suddenly conceived visit to
the State, Gov Landon has two major
purposes. First, to emphasize the ma
tional aspect of the Maine election,
and, as he hopes. to pull Senator Wal
aoSC IL IlLOuSA Ill u Ulk way.
Secondly. to seize the first opportunity
~that has been offered to demonstrate
his own intention to fight the battle
against the New Deal every inch of
the way.
If reports here are to be credited,
Gov. Landon is going to make q fight
ing speech in Portland and one that
will put squarely to the Maine voters
the fact that the whole Nation Is
watching them, and that the way they
vote on Monday very possibly may
have crucial effect on the presiden-
tial election in November.
1t is known that Gov. Landon's de-
eision to come to Maine was made
only after a most painstaking check
Of the polls that have been made Of
the States electorate.
Six weeks ago, the Republican Ma