U.S. PRESIDENCY

Hokitika Guardian, 10 June 1936, Page 5

U.S. PRESIDENCY

LANDON CHOSEN REPUBLICAN PARTY’S CHOICE. (Australian Press Association). CLEVELAND (Ohio), June 8. The Republican presidential election convention has opened at Cleveland, Ohio. Sharp skirmishing by candidates continued to-night, but was less vital than apparent. Senator -Borah appeared on the scene to-day, and around him rallied a variety of “Stop Landon” forces, hut it is not likely that the candidacy of the Kansan can be checked at this late hour. The younger Republicans are anxious for the inclusion in the platform of approval of a constitutional amendment, permitting States to control wages and hours. Senator Borah approves such control, but not the amendment.

Other younger leaders have been suggesting the nomination of a wellknown anti-New Deal Democrat, such ns Mr Newton Baker, who was J' re sident Wilson’s Secretary of War, for the vice-presidency, in order to assure the Republicans of the widest support but this is not likely, although tlm most zealous advocates of it insist that it would assure a “spiritual ro birth.”

Rumours during the day gave a varying significance to the “Stop Landon Movement,” even after Senator Borah issue a statement disattaching himself from it. Some reports have persisted that opponents have not vet abandoned their fight to defeat the Kansas Governor’s candidacy.

An unofficial poll of every State delegation was conducted by a group of journalists to-night. It indicated, beyond reasonable doubt, however, that Governor Landon’s forces are in complete control of the situation. He probably will be nominated at the first ballot, will indicate bis choice for vice-president, and also the principal planks of the party’s platform.

There now are no less than twenty Republican aspirants for the vice-pre-sidency nomination, the chief being Mr Vandeberg and Senator Steiwer, who will make the “keynote” address at the Convention. The control of the Landon forces indicates a complete rout for the Conservative forces of the Republican Party. Senator Borah,, while scorning to a May himself with the anti-Latidon group, has nevertheless continued to play a lone hand, uttering a bitter attack on a draft platform which ostensibly had been submitted to him by the Landon forces.

Pie said : “The plank on foreign affairs is timid, straddling and cowardly. We should not equivocate. Let us speak the old language of the American patriots. We should stand for absolute neutrality in all foreign controversies. Furthermore, there are strong and resourceful men hero, seeking to commit our party to the old rigid gold standard, which is another form of monopoly. It means not the money of the people, but the money of the bankers and speculators and it means lower prices for our producers.”

Sentaor Borah concluded with a demand to know exactly where Governor Landon stood on these and on other questions.