Evening star., 1940-10-30
'Mr.Americu'
Described as
For Roosevelt
Views Of Nations
Average Voter
Are Discussed
BY JAY FRANKLIN.

storm 1t is generally calm. The
political storm of 1910 is fiercest
in the Midwest, and Chicago, where
Roosevelt was nominated for a
third term, is its center.
Last night met in the calmest
spot in the center Of Chicago the
man whom Mr.. Willhe must con-
vince If the Republican nominee
is to win the confidence of the
American electorate. He is a SIM
pie man who works for his living
and who is now supporting Roose-
velt, without doubts and without
fears.
He is a foreign-born citizen who
has lived in this country for nearly
20 years. He comes from one Of
those little countries which so far
has escaped the war, although his
native land lies in the path of the
Nazl War-machine and was victim
lied by the victorious Allies after
1913. His Is not a Warlike people
but they are skilled in the fine art
OF surVlval-no mean gift in a world
given over to violence and con-
quest. incidentally, he Is a Chris
tan and is no stranger to racial
and religious persecution in his
homeland.
Joined Union Under Pressure.
BY profession this man is a
waiter, and he works in one of
Chicagos better hotels. That is to
say, he is dependent for a living
on the survival of the American
system pretty much as it is, and he
would not benefit by national So
cialism or by leveling down the rich
whose tips and privileges support
his family. He is "a member of
a labor union, which he did not
wish to join but into which he
was forced by the social pressures
of the last few years. John Lewis
cannot deliver his vote and neither
can the head of his local union.
He is also a pretty good waiter, so
his job is reasonably secure.
This naturalized citizen SAYS that
he is so sure that Roosevelt will be
reelected that he would be willing
to stake his life on it. He saws that
ne made more money under the
Republican national administrations
than he is making today under the
New Deal but that he lost It all
In the Hoover panic" So he figures
that to vote against Roosevelt would
be TO vote against his own bread
and-butter-and there are very few
citizens who seem to do that know
lngIy. He has never been on relief
and has never been on w. P. A. He
Is a family man who has done a
good job of supporting himself and
his dependents in a strange land
which has welcomed him to citizen
ship and has not Disseminated
against him politically or econom-
lcally because of his foreign birth.
II one of the pollsters were IN
come along and ask him, he would
probably say that he intends To vote
1or Roosevelt. The polltaker would
SET MIN down as representa- tive
OF the middle e-group-sincs
he makes about $50 a week-snd
would miss the fact that he repre-
sents compact group of Chicagoans
which is ready to vote for Roose-
Velt by about 75-to-1 Chis figures.
Opposes U. S. Entering War.
He believes in America, he docs
not wish this country to 90 70 xar
ana ne believes in Roosevelt for
prosperity at home and peace
abroad. When he votes, he will vote
IN his own interest-as he under
stands it.
Mr.. WILKES problem is to per-
suade this man-and millions like
hlm-that Republican administra-
tlon Will not expose him to economic
insecurity or warlike recklessness
he is going to be hard to persuade
a1ter what happened to him in 1922
81 and what he knows of Eurone
He says that Roosevelt will keen
america safe and prosperous-by
which he means himself and his
family. He cannot be stampeded.
The average man and woman in
Chlcago Is for Roosevelt. In lust this
spirit. The Cook County Demo-
cratic organization is a far-reach-
Ing and well-geared piece of political
machinery, but its strength rests
less on the skill and political
snreWdness Of Mayor Edward ].
Kelly than it does on the simple
solid conviction of the Chicago
workers that Roosevelt is their
friend, that the Democratic PARTY
Is their party. and that they hav.
been given the vote for the purpose
OF protecting their natural, human
interests under American denoc-
racy.
The downstate Illinois polls hear
out the same impression as to the
State as a whole. Normally. down
state Illinois commands a Republj-
can majority which rolls right un
to the Cook County line. This wear.
even the Chicago Tribune's down.
state poll shows substantial Roose-
velt strength, while the Chicago
Times reports that Roosevelt is
running slightly ahead of Willkie
outside of Chicago.
Released by Consolidated News
Features, Inc)