Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-11-01
z BIG ISSUES FACE
WISCONSIN VOTERS
Roosevelt and La Toilette
Are Chief Questions
in Election.
BY CHARLES W. HOLMBURG,

Of all the charges and counter charges
in the State and presidential cam.
paign In Wisconsin, two issues stand
out clearly to be decided on Tuesday,
November 3. They are, briefly, La
Toilette and Roosevelt.
Although 1t Is q source Of deep en-
barrassment to the State Democrats,
the Roosevelt candidacy has become
closely identified with that of Gov.
Philip r. La Toilette, and the Gov
ernor and his United States Senator
brother. Robert M. La Toilette, jr.,
have combined their drive for the
election Of the Progressive party State
ticket with q vigorous campaign for
President Roosevelt.
In the State campaign Arthur w.
Lueck Of Beaver Dam, Democratic
nominee for Governor, and Alexan-
der Wiley, Chippewa Falls, Repub-
lican gubernatorial candidate, have q
single target for their numerous at
tacks-Gov. La Toilette and his pres
ent Progressive administration. As
the campaign has drawn to a close,
both Lueck and Wiley have been sim
gularly hesitant to talk national is
sues or campaign for the presidential
candidates heading their party tick
cts.
G. o. p. Aid Held Lukewarm.
Wiley's attitude Is said to have been
Influenced by what he considers only
lukewarm support from the Repub-
lican State organization. and the @.
o. p. candidate Is reported to have
complained bitterly to Gov. Landon
about this. One story is that the State
Republican leaders are quietly throw
ing their support behind Lueck. the
Democratic nominee, as q move to de-
feat Gov. La Toilette.
Lueck, however. finds himself and
his organization virtually ignored by
the national Roosevelt leaders and
as q result he Is saying little about
the Roosevelt campaign. With the
exception Of United States Senator
r. Ryan Duffy Of Fond du Lac. who
has actively assisted the Roosevelt
drive in the State, this Is true of
other State Democrats.
A not unlocked for development Of
the closing week Of the campaign was
the announcement from John NJ CAL
lahan Of Milwaukee. former Demo-
cratic national committeeman for Wis
consin and ardent supporter of Alfred
e. Smith. that he is taking a walk"
and deserving the Roosevelt candidacy
in favor of Gov. LAndon. Callahan.
running for delegate to the national
convention as an "Al Smith Demo-
crat" last Spring, was badly defeated,
and Is said to have resented for years
the failure Of the national Democratic
organization to accord him any recog-
milton. Callahan unsuccessfully
sought the Democratic nomination for
United States Senator In 1884. His
political. influence in the State, once
substantial when Al Smith stood as
the leader Of his party, Is generally
considered to have dwindled to q neg
ligible quantity.
Chances Favor La Toilette.
If the size Of crowds greeting politi-
cal candidates In their campaign tours
through the State is a reliable barom-
eter. 1t can be said that the chances
Of reelection appear promising for
Gov. La Toilette, who has consistently
out-drawn his opponents. What ap-
pears to be increasing Progressive
party strength also augurs well for the
Roosevelt candidacy. and the compli-
mentary references of Progressive can
didates and leaders to the New Deal
have been well received.
Republican organization leaders,
drive for Landon in Wisconsin. Most
newspapers in the State are politically
Republican, and in the closing days
have unloosed barrage against the
New Deal. Pro-Roosevelt forces have
found cause for alarm In the sudden
appearance in the pay envelopes Of
industrial workers Of literature attack
ing the social security program Of the
New Deal and informing workers of a
pay reduction to finance the old-age
pension plan.
Wisconsin law prohibits the in
serting Of material in pay envelopes
or other methods aimed at influence
ing" the votes of employees and sew
eral local prosecutors have started
investigations.
Roosevelt Edge Seen.
Although the major political polls
disagree as to. Wisconsin, the con-
census of State observers is that it
Is safely in the Roosevelt column.
The No. l reason for this belief is
that Roosevelt has the support Of
two Of the States three major par
ties. which, generally speaking. split
political strength one-third each.
While a strong Roosevelt vote may
operate favorably for State Demo-
cratic candidates, despite their in
different support of the President,
this factor Is lessened by the ballot
forms that will be handed the Wis
consin voter. The presidential bal
lot IS on a separate sheet, and with
out extra effort the voter can split"
his ticket, voting for any presidential
candidate and then voting straight
ticket on State. congressional, legis-
lative and county Offices.
AS the campaign draws to a close,
the candidacy Of Representative Will
liam Lemke on the Union party presi-
Dental ticket has faded to an in
significant quantity. It Is doubtful
If the North Dakotan, despite the
favorable reaction his name brings
from farmers because of the Frazier.
Lemke farm mortgage financing bill,
will poll 5 per cent of the total vote.