Evening star., 1936-03-20

Impending bipartisan ruction in
House and Senate over the Presidents
request for 81 500 ,000, 900 additional w.
P. A. relief funds is destined to produce,
If not the paramount issue for the ma
tional campaign, at least a wealth OF
explosive ammunition for the fray. Not
only will congressional discussion briStle
with charges of relief maladministratio
including waste and political graft, but
it will probably open up the whole sub
ject of New Deal spending habits, on
which the Republicans are preparing to
harp with violent emphasis. Roosevelt
forces are ready for the onslaught, but,
as the Senate's rejection of the $4,000
900 Florida ship canal installment
showed, there's a formidable body OF
sentiment, even in Democratic ranks,
against unlimited w. P. A. appropria-
tions, especially in lump-sum form. In
the final analysis, the President doubt
less will have his way on relief, but not
before boondoggling and other manifes-
tations of the Hopkins regime are raked
fore and aft.
Assuming, as they are doing more
and more, that it's Gov. Landon whom
Mr.. Roosevelt will have to beat, admin
istrationists are expected henceforward
to outdo themselves in making an econ
omy record. The economy issue is not
only the one on which the kansas Cool
idge" mainly bases his hopes of nomina-
ton, but on which he would proSpec-
lively campaign for election. Landon
is likely to harp loudly, too, on the errors
and eccentricities Of relief administra-
ton. Thus, with an eye to campaign
strategy there will be unceasing effort,
along with an economy drive. to plug
any relief loopholes that would give the
opposition opportunity to indict the
New Deal for playing politics with
human misery" AS indicated in the
Presidents relief message, New Dealers
fondest hope is that between now and
November private industry will make
long strides toward reduction Of unem-
ployment, with progressively decreasing
need for relief and correspondingly less
campaign emphasis on what Mr.. Roose-
yelt recognizes as the most difficult
problem before the country"
Chairman Fletcher's announcement
that the keynoter of the Republican Ma
tional Convention will speak his piece
at night, so as to be sure of the largest
possible radio audience, signifies the tre-
mendous importance both parties attach
to the air as factor in the 1886 cam
paign Mr.. Fletcher has announced that
the keynoter will be spellbinder with
conspicuous "radio appeal" But Repub-
licans admit privately that their far
greater need is a candidate who can
match the Presidents broadcasting
style. Gov. Landon doesn't begin to
measure up to the Rooseveltian manner.
Neither Knox nor Hoover rates as a
radio star. Borah and Vandenberg
come nearest to doing the right kind
of a job. Some Republicans comfort
themselves with the reflection that their
last two successful presidential candi-
dates-Calvin Coolidge and Herbert
Hoover-both lacked oratorical power
and defeated Democrats Of acknowledged
speaking ability.
Death Of former Premier Eleutherios
vanizelos recalls President Woodrow
wilson's high opinion Of the late Greek
leader. On his arrival at American
press headquarters in Paris one day.
after a Peace Conference session, Mr..
Wilson spoke enthusiastically about the
Cretan, whom he considered the fore
most statesman In Europe. IF Veni-
zelos represented some great power, in-
stead of q small country" MIR. Wilson
exclaimed, 'he would dominate this
conference as completely as Count Met.
ternich dominated the Congress Of VI
emma" veniselos came pretty nearly