Evening star., 1947-03-06
Democrats Recovery
Laid to Decontrol

Democrats Recovery
Laid to Decontrol
Party Comeback, Shown by Poll,
Occurred Before Congress Met
By David Laurence
Tho latest Gallup poll affords an
opportunity for both Republicans and
Democrats to do a bit of self-exami-
nation. For it shows that the Demo-
Gratis, If the presidential election were
held today, would get 81 per cent Of the
vote and the Republicans 40:
This shift from last November, when
the percentage was As Democratic and
S. Republican, is somewhat of surprise
to the Republicans, but it is even more
surprising when it is noted that the
climb upward occurred almost entirely
before the Republicans took control Of
Congress in January.
Thus, the Democrats had the better
of 1t on, a 55-to-45 basis in February
f946 and gradually slumped downward
to the low point In November 1916 when
they had As per cent of the vote, accord
Ing to the poll. Then the Democrats
regained their strength almost imme-
diately after the election and by Jan.
uary had reached q so per cent figure.
Only one point has been added since
the Republican Congress came into
being early in January.
The Democrats may see in this gain
prior to January confirmation of the
belief of some of their experts that the
November election was a negative
operation and that it was vote against
governmental controls and especially
against restrictions on the sale of meat
which affected every householder.
Truman Corrected Situation.
1t will be recalled that President
Truman, in the middle of the campaign,
began lifting controls but didn't get
them all lifted soon enough to turn the
tide. He kept on removing various
controls in November and December.
and in this way corrected the situation
that was alternating many Democratic
votes. y.
But it is possible also to find another
potent reason for the rise in democratic
strength last December. This was tho
time of the coal strike. President Tru-
man handled the situation with firm
hand and filed court proceedings against
John l.. Lewis-a step that undoubtedly
increased Mr.. Truman's popularity. In
fact, everything that Mr.. Truman has
done since the election in November has
seemed to favor the conservative rather
than the radical side. This may mean
that his gains are from the ranks Of
conservatives. Certainly Mr.. Truman has
not been giving much comfort to the
left wingers" either in his policies or
his appointments.
The poll Is by no means an indica.
ton of what may happen in 194S, for,
since the Democratic Party dropped
from IS to As points in the months
between February and November during
1946, there can be equally wide fiuc-
tuations In the 81 months between now
and the presidential election.
II there is an economic recession"
for example, it will most certainly hurt
the Truman cause. This Is because
the record of Truman encouragement
to labor unions to demand the same pay
that was paid for regular work weeks
plus overtime during wartime as COM
pensation for less working hours in
the postwar period, threw the whole
economic system into its present i'm
balance.
Teachers Strikes Result.
more pay for less work. is an easily
understood slogan. The revolt of the
teachers and other workers today who
are trying to meet with their meager
fixed incomes the prices forced by
labor union leaders in 1945 and 1946
Is going to be recognized as one of ths
many effects of our economic imbalance.
The high price level can be traced
directly to the impetus given wage
increases Immediately after VI day by
President Truman, who urged that
prices be held down while wages were
increased. The recession or depression.
if it comes in 1947, as so many of tho
economists are predicting, or even early
in 1948, upquestionably will lead to
Nationwide debate as to the response
bility for the downward trend. Un-
doubtedly there will be some unem-
ployment, too.
The recession can, of course, be
avoided. A substantial increase in
productivity by labor and willingness
on the part of labor to help write fair
ness into the labor laws would do much
toward creating new spirit Of en-
terprise in America. 1t is to everybody's
interest to prevent an economic recess
sion and the country is not concerned
with what faction benefits politically by
avoidance Of an economic upset. The
Democrats will derive the biggest ad-
vantage from such a contingency. but 1t
remains to be seen whether II years
Of Democratic rule in the White House
will of itself bring a demand for
change in November 1948.
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that matter, although the Republican
margin of control in the Senate is slim