Milford chronicle., 1937-12-17

Those who follow national politics
always watch local elections with
close attention. The policy that Is
approved by voters of village may
in the fullness of time be the policy
that is adopted in the seats of the
mighty at Washington. Disapprovals
shown by voters will be reflected by
their representative In Congress. 1t
is in town, city and state elections
that the temper of the people is best
reflected.
The recent off-year elections were
more than ordinarily significant.
What they showed is we'll summed
up by Dorothy Thompson; They
furnish no sign that the American
people want to turn the direction OF
their political affairs over to mill
tant labor.
"There is no indication that they
wish an increase in government
ownership. They show that there is
a positive popular desire to curtail
government extravagances.
"They also show that the voters
are not much moved by hysterical
screams of red and bolslieyik."
I.abor--as represented by the CIO
s-fared badly indeed. Greatest labor
hopes were pinned on Detroit where
Gro candidates for mayor and city
council survived the primaries. But
all were defeated. In other Indus
trial centers, including Canton.
Cleveland and Akron, they met
similar fate. It is true that Mayor
LaGuardia of New York had labor's
endorsement-but he was also sup
ported by the leading newspapers,
ard by influential business groups
as well as labor groups, because OF
his remarkable fight against Tam
many and his efficient and progress
i've stewardship of the city during
his past term in office.
Light on public sentiment toward
spending is found in the vote on
projected bond issues. For every
one approved, about two were re-
jected.
The only two towns voting on pro-
posals to erect municipal electric
plants or to take over private plants
decisively defeated the measures.
From the standpoint OF partisan
politics. the elections are more diff
cult TO gauge. Republicans made
gaIns-but they were not large. and
occurred I'm areas where the Repub-
licans are in the majority rs rule.
and only lost control during the
sreat New Deal sweep OF last year.
One important sign of the times is !
the growing inclination of the voters i
to back the man they believe the !,
best. irrespective of his party label. !
This trend marks hard blow to old
time machine politics, which de-
ponds for success on a straight I
ticket" vote that approves all party |
nominees and disregards porsonali-
lies.
To quote Miss Thompson once
more. "The elections show 49,.
public demand for humane govern
nent, coupled with increasing hon
esty, efficiency and sobriety."
1t may be only a concidence-but
Il Is a fact that few days after
he elections. Secretary Morgenthau
made his immensely Important
speech In which he opposed in
creased government spending. APP
proved broader tax bnse, and
made reductions In appropriations,
md apparently charted new fiscal
course for the Administration. II is
believed that the business
ecession has frightened the voters
. well as government leaders. and
sentiment In favor of
more conservative policy. Ii
General opinions hold that the
pecial session and the regular ses-
ion OF the current Congress- will be
by cautious tone, and a
to spend and expert
ient. The reverberations from the
peal elections Will echo loud In the |
alls and committee rooms of the {
'apitol.
-oOo-
The trend OF business has not l
hanged in the last week or so. II is
Till downward, and seems to be /
,veling off at a substantially lower /
Iage than prevailed this summer. |
tocks have been irregular. holding 4
, levels a little above the October s
,ws. v
Principal unfavorable sign is /,
mailer automobile production
favorable sign. says the
pnalist. lis an Unexpectedly high t