The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-02-11
new DEAL COST
IRKS NEBRASKA,
STOKES LEARNS
But Norris Is Tower
of Strength for
Mr.. Roosevelt.
BY THOMAS l.. STOKES
Times Special Writer

sas.
Accordingly, scepticism is increas-
ing here over New Deal expenditures
particularly since the toll of unem-
ployment remains about the same.
Al Smith, though he failed Il
carry Nebraska in 1923, struck a re-
sponsive chord with his Libert,
League speech emphasizing the cost
of New Deal ventures. Mr.. Smith
has many friends in Omaha, wher,
he opened his 1928 campaign with
his farm speech.
In President Roosevelt's favor her,
Is the general improvement in con
ditions. Nebraska farmers are IL
good shape, disappointed at thu
death OF AAA but confidently await.
ing substitute Business has pickec
up generally, though tagging in {
few lines.
Many Loans Reported
One big banker reported as many
loans to industry for equipment anc
expansion in the last four months
as in the previous four years. Manu-
facturers of farm machinery anc
implements have done well.
Consequently, despite dissatisfac-
ton with this and that phase of the
New Deal, the state of William Jen-
nings Bryan and Senator George w
Norris is marked safe for Mr.
Roosevelt by local analysts-as of
today.
The President, however, has lost
ground here recently, they tell you
due TO numerous causes which
cumulatively, might make the state
doubtful as Nov. 3 approaches.
Beyond the anxiety over increas-
ing expenditures, the visitor finds
feeling that administration of
New Deal agencies has not been
all it might be-and this is pos
sibly because of some unfortunate
examples in this neighborhood.
One Reason for Feeling
One is the Ak -Sar- Ben rural re-
Mobilization project, recently taken
over by DR.. Rexford Tugwell's Re-
settlement Administration. Ak-Sar-
Ben today is deserted village of 80
houses 20 miles from here on which
$3.50 to $500 according to
whether you count in relief labor
and overhead-has been spent and
not a soul has been moved in yet
While there was once. talk of ahan-
doning the project. which ultimately
envisages 90 homesteads of 7A
acres each, Resettlement officials
now say they will go ahead. They
promise to have families moved in
this spring.
Critics say the project is not eco
nomiCally feasible. Herbert Hoover,
when here recently asked lots of
questions about it and jotted down
some data.
A loW-cost housing project in this
city also has aroused criticism on the
ground that rents will be too high
for the people who formerly lived in
the now eliminated slums, while the
neighborhood is such that it may be
hard to attract people able to pay.
These are small matters when
considered in a national plan of re-
covery but they encourage caustic
comment about Impractical brain
trusters."
Norris Influence Strong
Tho Droeir}o,,t hoe <xo 4or,ox - 6
strength in Nebraska in the person
of Senator Norris, an institution be-
loved by the rank and file. Every
body assumes that the 74-year- old
Senator Wal run for reelection in
November as an independent,
though he has not announced. If
he does, it is said, he is almost
sure to be reelected and his in
1uence will offset minor dissatis-
factions with the New Deal in the
minds of many voters.
A factor which might affect the
Presidents chances in Novembe,
would be the nomination by the
Republicans of Gov. Landon OF
Kansas, whose budget balancing
and economy ideas appeal to many
Nebraskans.
An active organization is at work
here for the Kansan under direc-
ton of Clinton Bronze, a local law
yer, who said he expects that the
delegate slate 10 be picked at the
April primary will be virtually
unanimous for Mr.. Landon. Senator
Borah Of Idaho remains the I'M
known quantity here. He has not in
dictated whether he will file for the
primary.
Landon Aided by Old Guard
Sam McKelvie, former Governor
member of the old Federal Farm
Board and one-time Hoover leader
IN this state, also is out for Gov
Landon, whose fortunes are in the
hands of the Old Guard Republican
crew here.
One of Senator NorriS's opponents
IF he runs again for the Senate
is expected to be former Congress-
man Robert G. Simmons, who is a
candidate for the Republican
nomination and as yet unopposed
He is a vigorous campaigner arc
skilful enough TO retain the friend.
ship of both Mr.. Hoover and Sen.
tor Borah.
The only Democrat who has an.
nounced is young Terry McGoverr
Carpenter, one-time filling-statior
operator who went to Congress il
the 1882 Roosevelt landslide. raised
lot of commotion there, and was
swept out when he tried to 60 tc
the Senate two years ago.
He has hoped onto the Town
send Pan bandwagon and is seek
ing to capitalize that movement
which Is strong here. He is regard.
ed here as of the Huey Long school
OF political dramatics.
There may be another candidate
for the Democratic nomination in