Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-07-31
Polls Bolster
Rather Than.
Shift Opinion
Tricky Workings Blamed
for Loss Of Weight
BY PAUL MALLON

announce m emit. Confidential
copies were handed around sew
eral days before publication.
Consequently, both Wheelerites
and government authorities were
able TO make preparations to use
10 their respective advantages
the pronouncement that the
American people have abandoned
Isolation -
The thickness of the wording
in the questions gave the sup
porting of Senator Wheeler their
opening. Apparently Alb per
cent of the American people who
have abandoned isolation" only
answered affrmativelX the ques-
ton whether this country should
back" England
Back is an extensive word.
Backing England" is what we
are already doing. No one asked
the affirmative respondents if
they interpreted back to mean
a declaration of war, a new AEF
or any Of the other possibilities.
On the other hand, the gov
eminent policy prom o I S
claimed the noninterventionist
views were adequately presented
in alternative questions. and
therefore. the back England"
Injunction really represented a
call for doing more than is
being done.
TRIAL by jury may be re-
L quired TO decide. The only
indisputable deduction easily
made from the poll is that polls
are losing their weight. Dis
puteS over the shaded meaning
Of words, and the propaganda
usage which polls have been
put, have made them more of
an implement for controversy
than for the presentation of a
convincing popular decision.
In political campaigns the
theory has been accepted that
polls influence election results
because every one wants TO be
with the winner ! have never
met a person whose opinion was
changed by a poll. Every per-
sonal comment I have ever
heard on any particular poll
was either a conviction that the
poll was crooked if it did not
come out the way the common
tator desired, or that it was just
fine-the right side won.
Therefore l have come 10 the
conclusion that polls strengthen
far more opinions than they
change. Differences are empha-
sized rather than obliterated.
THERE is more than a sur
Il mise here that the famed
General Wavell is in Burma.
The "demotion" of Britains
best general from the command
in the eastern Mediterranean
may therefore turn out TO be,
not only promotion, but a
shrewd British anticipation of
where fighting may next de-
velop.
The well drilled Burmese
forces on the job have been
strengthened by the best of the
Indian colonial forces. Under a
general like Wavell, they could
do many things to a Jap VEN
ture into Siam.
RUMORS of a Jap or Nazi
~ threat to ruin the Panama
Canal are news 10 authorities
managing the life-chord of our
fleet. They indicate Jap ships
are being sent around the horn
mainly to keep them from OBJ
serving work on the third set of
locks and 10 express this govern
ments displeasure at more Jan
aggression.
The canal will be safe unless
some foreign power gets at least
two aircraft carriers or a lane
air base within 1000 miles.
Commercial ships are searched
thoroughly, so time-bombing in
the locks could only be at
tempted on minor scale which
could only temporarily disable
one lock.
HOUSE leaders politely de-
II laycd consideration of the
tax bill an extra day because
they did not have the votes to
adopt the strong gag-rule they
had planned. Objections 10 the
clause encouraging any success
full woman with an income 10
avoid marriage to a successful
man with an income are rising
so fast il is evident the idea will
be completely changed or killed
before the congressional debate
is over probably later in the
Senate).
No other important change in
the bill can be expected in the
debate, however.
THE very private luncheon OF
Il Federal Reserve Chairman
EccleS with the President in
volved primarily a new Eccles
plan 10 curb installment pur-
chaScS.
Apparently the federal reserve
board has had nothing 10 do IN
defense and could handle this
phase. If Mr.. EcclcS could ar
range TO be asked by Mr.. Roose.
welt. It's an old Keynes idea,
which the British economist adj