AMERICAN ELECTIONS

Evening Star, Issue 20633, 5 November 1930, Page 9

AMERICAN ELECTIONS

DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS “ GLOOM AT WHITE HOUSE " Press Association —By Telegraph— Copyright. NEW YORK, November 3. Tho eve of the elections throughout tho nation finds the Democrats more justifiably confident of capturing control of the House of Representatives, if not of the Senate, to-morrow. The most optimistic estimates indicate that the Democratic majority in the House may be as high as twenty. That the Democrats will make substantial gains is more clearly indicated than over, and their ultimate majority will probably bo from six to ten seats. As for the Senate, it is now believed that tho Republicans will probably retain nominal control. Tho Democrats claim a gain of ten seats, but this figure is far from certain. Nominal control, however, would be insufficient for the Republicans, and the restilt would bo tantamount to a Democratic Congress and in the nature of repudiation of tho Hoover administration. Members of the President’s Cabinet have thrown themselves actively into tho campaign with nation-wide radio addresses, which have not met with particular success, and all the observers agree that “White House is gloomy; gloomier than it has been since 1918.” Another important indication as to tho trend in 1932, when the Presidential election will be held, is expected from the results of to-morrow’s election of governors in thirty-one States. Probably the most interesting and sensational contest is that for Illinois, where Mrs Ruth M'Cormick is the Republican candidate for tho Senate. She pledged herself to abide by a State-wide Prohibition referendum, the results of which will avowedly be “wet.” She is opposed by Mr Lewis (Democrat). who is an anti-prohibitionist, and Mrs Lottie O’Neal (Independent “dry”). The economic depression issue throughout tho country was given a new and interesting turn by Mr Raskob, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, who announced the Democratic programme, three of the most important points of which are a five-day week for all, no limitation to industrial mergers where they are not inimical to the public interest, and the creation of a non-partisan tariff commission, whose members would have a life term and bo surrounded with dignities similar to those of the United States Supremo Court. As Mr Raskob is one of the richest American industrialists, his last minute proposals have created a furore, though it is impossible to judge what their ultimate effects on tho election will prove.