Evening star., 1938-02-11
THE POLITICAL
MILL
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

tnem VIII undertake 10 say what should
be done to rehabilitate the minority
party. Here and there will be raised
a rallying cry for all those who believe
in preserving the American system" of
government and enterprise. Lincoln Day.
for the Republicans, will be something
like Jackson Day for the Democrats
although the Republicans will not sit
down at any $lOOa-plate dinners.
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Among the speakers who will take part
in this program designed to arouse the
fighting spirit of the G. o. P. and to
stir all opponents Of the New Deal,
whether they be Republicans or Demo-
Gratis, are Senators Vandenberg of Mich
igan, Lodge of Massachusetts. Austin OF
Vermont Nye Of North Dakota and
Bridges OF New Hampshire, Gov Aiken
of Vermont and long list OF Republican
members of the House. Several OF the
addresses will be broadcast over the
radio, particularly those OF Senator VAN
denberg, Senator Austin Gov Aiken and
Representative Bruce Barton of New
York. Vandenberg and Lodge will ad-
dress the MiddleseX Club of Boston: Gov.
Aiken and Representative Barton will
speak 10 the National Republican Club
in the Waldorf-AStoria, New York City;
Senator Austin, the Central New York
State Republicans at Utica and Senator
Bridges, Chairman John Hamilton of the
Republican National Committee and
Representative Mapes of Michigan the
Kent County Republicans at Grand
Rapids.
While these Republican demonstra-
lions will occupy the spotlight this week
end. the "Committee on Program head
ed by DR.. Glenn Frank, is getting ready
for its first meeting the end of this
month in Chicago. How many of its
2l8 members, including the chairman,
Will be on hand it is early TO say. But
good turnout is expected and great
deal OF interest is being shown in the
committee and what it may do. despite
the fact that many Republican members
OF Congress. former Gov Landon Of
Kansas and others are throwing cold
water on the project.
DR.. Frank, speaking al Topeka on
kansas Day" the last OF January. gave
an indication Of his own attitude
whether 1t be that of the rest Of his
committee or not. He indicated clearly
that he believed the G. O. P. should get
back TO the liberal ideals and principles
OF Theodore Roosevelt which he holds
10 be progressive and sound--as opposed
to the policies OF President Franklin d.
Roosevelt, which he describes as kind
OF FaSclSm. or course. the G. o. P. had
It's chance back in 1912 to return to the
leadership of Theodore Roosevelt. But it
kicked that chance aside. What might
have happened to the country had r. r,
won the Republican nomination in 1912
Is just one OF those interesting specula-
tions which can never be translated into
fact.
When Franklin D. Roosevelt entered
the White House. he was not long in
stepping the Democratic party out in
new role-something that Thomas JET
ferson. who did not believe in centralized
government in Washington would have
been amazed to see. But Mr. Roosevelt
was wise enough to see the progressive
tendency Of the people and took the
lead-although his plans have led to a
concentration of power i'll the hands Of
the Chief Executive such as never before
existed In this country.
Whstever the program" outlined by
DIR. Frank and his committee may be,
and whatever line the speakers for the
q. q. P. may take in tomorroW's cele-
bratlon. 1t seems pretty clear that, if
they are to get anywhere. the RepYlb-
licans must be both liberal and at ne
same time more conservative than the
opposition. Many of them believe they
have a real issue in the preservation of
American institutions of government and
American enterprise. which they insist
the New Dealers are tossing out OF the
window.
There is one thing the New Dealers
must reckon with in estimating their
probable political strength in the coming
congressional elections. They must fig
ure how much the Roosevelt depres-
sion is going to cost them in popularity.
Republican speakers have begun ham,
mering the Roosevelt depression" into
their speeches. Depressions are the
terror OF any political party.
The New Dealers are counting on the
fact that the administration is standing
ready to feed and generally care for the
unemployed to Offset any loss of faith
the voters may have sustained in the
New Deal policies. The President has
lust come through with a request for
quarter Of billion dollars more for
relief
An upswing in business with renewed
employment will do a great deal to
restore the faith Of the people in Presi-
cent Roosevelt's program. If it comes.
the Republicans may make gains here
and there in the now lopsided House
Sut the gains will not be material II
there is no upswing in business look out
Tor squalls in the field OF politics.
good many Democrats are not satisfied
with the way things have been going
even now. But irrespective of Demo-
Gratis, II enough men and women who
used to vote Republican become dis
gusted with the New Dealers. the Demo,
cratic Congressman will 90 down in rows
next November.
There is New Deal Senator from
down IN Sunny Tennessee who will have
tough time coming back-if he makes
the race-Senator George Berry. He
was appointed by Gov. Browning last
summer to fill a vacancy caused by the
death OF the late Senator Bachman.
Berry was selected because he was an
ardent supporter of the Roosevelt New
deal and particularly of the Presidents
court Dill. 1t was at time when every
vote was needed by the administration
IN the court bill fight in the Senate. Gov
brownlng. it is now reported had sena-
torlai aspirations for 1888 but they were