Evening star., 1936-08-05

Students of public affairs, particularly
those who have followed political situa-
tions closely for many years past and
who have delved also into the history
of earlier presidential contests in the
United States, are of the opinion, ac-
cording to political wiseacres in the
Nations Capital, many of whom have
returned from recent tours throughout
the country, that few presidential cam
paignS in the past have offered as many
complexities as the present one This
is making it extremely difficult to prog
nosticate with any such degree of ac-
curacy as has been possible frequently
in the past how the political sides are
lining up. While there are broad prin-
ciples of difference between the two
major parties, these observers point out
that there are number of subsidiary
issues upon which the final decision may
turn. Some of these secondary issues
are of considerable importance, affect
ing as they do the lives and welfare,
the immediate interests of many thou
sands of people. and likely, in their
totality, therefore, to influence a large
number of votes in the various States
and districts.
In nothing, perhaps, have political
campaigns in the United States changed
more than in the methods by which they
are conducted. Modern invention is
largely responsible for this. Today the
press, with its constantly increasing
speed in the transmission and distribu-
tion of news to readers in every nook
and corner of the land, is supplemented
by radio in making the Nation "polit-
ically conscious" In addition to this
means of speaking simultaneously to
people in all parts of the country, the
airplane has made it possible for indi-
vidual leaders in growing numbers to
appear personally and at more frequent
intervals before audiences in widely scat
tered localities. These methods have
resulted in marvellous speeding up
OF political thought and in intensified
interest on the part of the electorate in
the various issues being presented to
them. The time element has become as
never before factor of major impor-
tance in helping to form public opinion.
AS a result Of this rapidity in the dis
semination of mems thought, what is
said today by a spokesman for one
party is answered by a representative
of the opposition almost before the ink
is dry on the printed page on which the
former Is quoted.
Germany, like the United States has
been introducing alphabetical contrac-
tions, which are now popularity applied
to certain public agencies One of these
with which the American business world
has lately become familiar because of
the trade exchange difficulties in the
export and import field is ga s. K. l."
This is an abbreviation from the words,
"Auslander sender konto fur inlands-
zahlung," which, being translated, means
special exchange for foreigners to pay
for accounts due In Germany"
Interest abroad in the political cam
paign in the United States this year
seems to be less than it has been in
some previous presidential election years.
This may be due to the fact, particu-
larly in Europe, that so many develop
ments of more direct and immediate
concern to those nations are taking place
on the continent that the happenings
here have been overshadowed, tempo
rarily at least, and become of secondary
Importance. While the result of what
transpires politically in the United
States may have some effect on Euro