Evening star., 1936-04-06
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

Senator Borah is too battle-scarred a
warrior to be knocked out by his rebuff
in what William Jennings Bryan used
to call "the enemy'S country" It would
have been a political upset almost with
out parallel had the Idahoan overcome
the old guard in New York State last
week and captured delegates in the nine
congressional districts in which he
opposed uninstructed candidates backed
by G. o. P. organization regulars.
Borah'S recent declaration that he is an
anti-infiationist and favors stabilized
dollar undoubtedly generated some senti-
ment for him, but his reputed sympathy
with Townsend plan principles and the
Frazier -Lemke farm re-financing scheme
did not work to his advantage. Borah's
insistence upon anti-monopoly as the
paramount issue before the country also
did him no good in the Nations financial
and industrial center. Politicians are
inclined to believe that Borah'S rebuff
in New York debates his boom in the
East If he makes real primary show
ing in Wisconsin and Illinois, he will
still rate as q contender Of magnitude,
but If he fails to score impressively in
those States and later on in Ohio, most
authorities think Borah will be Through"
as far as Cleveland is concerned.
Current activities of Senator Vanden-
berg of Michigan in combating the New
Deal in various directions are viSibly
magnifying his availability as Repub-
lican presidential timber. Having led
the fight to smash the w. P. A. Florida
ship canal project. Vandenberg IS now
out to pillory A. A. A. laWshnesS with
farm benefits. If he wins his duel with
Secretary Wallace, the Wolverines polit-
ical stock is due to Skyrocket, even II ne
insists upon continuing to do nothing to
put him in the race for the nomination.
Opinion Is divided among Vandenbergs
friends as to whether the shrinking
violet attitude is the strategic one for
him to maintain-provided he Is in
receptive dark horse mood-or whether
he is committing a tactical error in
letting things slide, as they appear
steadily to be doing-in Gov. Landons
direction.
John Spargo, long an ardent and lead.
ing Socialist, but in later years an active
Republican resident of Vermont, is the
author of a 38-page booklet entitled
"The Legend of Hoover Who Did Moth
ing" which is now being circulated from
the same unidentified quarter that has
been issuing in pamphlet form the vari-
Gus political addresses delivered by the
former President since last october. The
Spargo publication winds up with the
statement that "the best interests OF the
Republican party and the Nation like
wise will be served by the nomination OF
Mr.. Hoover at Cleveland" The Yer
monter adds that he is certain his belief
"is shared by q host Of men and women
to whom such action by the Republican
National Convention will bring cheer and
courage" and he hopes those who agree
with him will make their wishes and
desires known to party leaders every
where" Spargo argues that "the number
of the 10000, 900 who voted for Mr..
Hoover in 1882, but would not do so
today, is an inconsiderable and negli-
gible quantity, while of the great number
of Republicans who voted for Mr. Roose-
welt, either on account Of the repeal issue
or q desperate resolve to give the New
Deal q trial, many ut last, and. I am
confident, . vast majority, would now
hail with Joy the chance to vote for Mr..