U.S. ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21904, 3 October 1936, Page 15

U.S. ELECTION CAMPAIGN

THE “ROOSEVELT LUCK” HOLDS REPUBLICANS ROBBED BY CURRENCY. PACT AL SMITH’S VIOLENT ATTACK ON PRESIOENT , (XTEXTED PM*# A##OCIA®tO* —COTtllBSt.) (Received October 2, 10.30 p.ni-) NEW YORK, October 1. Easily the most important development in the Presidential' campaign so far was the announcement of the co-operation of the United States with European nations towards monetary stabilisation. It is a further illustration of the so-caUed Roosevelt luck, since it robbed the Republicans of, an important issue, stabilisation having been one of the leading promises of their platform, and gave the Democrats an opportunity to show mutual fulfilment of a similar plank in their own platform.

American business, moreover, is reassured that it has nothing further to fear from tinkering with currency from Mr Roosevelt. The whole episode is thus considered to favour his political fortunes. The communistic issue apP® B * B -*® have been definitely repudiated by both candidates. The zeal of the Terre Haute authorities in-detairung I.- Browder yesterday is also being condemned by the- organs of both parties, and his release was secured to-day. ~ Although the contest continues more or less on a basis of generalities, with Mr Roosevelt emphasising that he is a true conservative—for he wishes merely to reform existing economic institutions —and with Mr Landon emphasising his opponent s dangerous regimentation of American life, vital isolated issues have begun to assume considerably more importance and are receiving greater emphasis from both parties. Among Liberal supporters of Mr Roosevelt the point has been made that in the conservation of xhe best features of the New Deal Mr Roosevelts real opponent is the Supreme Court and not Mr Landon. They have therefore begun to ask if he is prepared to take the issue of the Supreme Court’s negation of much of the New Deal legislation to the people, and does he, as a candidate for reelection, intend to ask for a mandate from the country on this fundamental question. This is likely to • become embarrassing to Mr Roosevelt, because it is increasingly clcr.r since the Supreme Court s rulings that the temper of the people is against ..'■'ah# Considerable changes in the Supreme Court, which institution the Republicans are strongly championing. As a skilful politician, there is very little likelihood that Mr Roosevelt will make this an issue for re-election, probably contenting himself to present the question to the people one way or another after rather than before the lection. Straw Votes Straw votes, as an index to popular sentiment, appear to differ, some canvasses indicating Mr Roosevelt’s re-election. The latest figures of polls made by the "Literary Digest,” however, give Mr Landon 438,601votes, Mr Roosevelt 282,524, and Mr Lemke 29,083. Attacks have been made on this poll on the ground that since the names are taken from the telephone directories, a vast number of unemployed *and relief workers are therefore not represented. These attacks have been hotly contested by the editor of the “Literary Digest,” Arho claims that the poll will ultimately reflect the actual result with mathematical accuracy. This week’s most exciting touch to the Presidential campaign, however, appears to have been given by Mr A 1 Smith, '"ho, in his first important pronouncement, uttered a violent attack on his one-time colleague and friend. Mr Smith said: •“I bear no grudge against the President, but he has fooled me as he fc ' 1 millions of Democrats.” Mr Smith added that he forced the nomination of Mr Roosevelt in 1928 against the protests of practically the entire leadership of the party. “The New Deal welcomes all elements. Even the communist with a smoking bomb is welcome if he signs on the dotted line,” concluded Mr Smith. I 1 ,