Extending the “New Deal ”

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 262, 9 November 1934, Page 7

Extending the “New Deal ”

President Roosevelt Begins Preparations

DEMOCRATS' GREAT ELECTION VICTORY

United Press Association.— By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Thursday, S p.m. NEW YORK, Nov. 7.

Recapitulation of the elections heartened Mr. Roosevelt to-day as he began preparations to extend the “New Deal.”

The Democratic sweep, engulfing outstanding Republican foes of the administration, gained nine Senate scats, increasing its representation to 69. In the Lower House the Democrats more than hold their own, with indications that- the party will have. 313 of the 135 seats.

The Democrats gained complete control of Governorships, Senators and Representatives in 23 States. The results constituted not only an astonishing popular endorsement of the “New Deal,’' but a definite repudiation of the extremely conservative Republican element.

Senator Reed, of Pennsylvania, one of the outstanding critics of Mr. Roosevelt’s policies, failed to secure re-elec-tion.

Democratic leaders are jubilant at Mr. Upton Sinclair’s defeat for the Governorship of California, on the grounds that it purges the party oi radicals.

A message from St. Paul (Minnesota) states that the Parmer-Labour Party’s elected candidate, Governor Lloyd B. Olson, said to-night ho had a mandate from the people of Minnesota to put into effect its far-flung public ownership programme, designed to achieve a co-operative commonwealth. “The Republican Party,” stated the Governor as he viewed his increasing 50,000 plurality in Tuesday’s election, “makes the Parmer-Labour Party’s platform a challenge, which we accept. With the convening of the State Legislature in January,” Mr. Olson said, “the party will do its utmost to early out its 16-plank platform, which declares that capitalism has failed and only complete reorganisation of our social structure into a co-operative commonwealth will bring economic security and prevent a prolonged period of further suffering among tho people.”

The United States election returns have settled several political questions with emphasis, but have left several others, potentially of far greater significance, wholly untouched. Candidates of almost every conceivable twist ol opinion have been swept into office on the Democratic ticket, and their collective mental processes range from the inner shrine of Conservatism to the borders of sheer Radicalism. Political students ask: Can this party, which has come so near to taking the idace of both of the old parties in the conduct of government, remain one party under the tightening strain of theso years of constant change? If it docs remain one party, can tho dominance of one wing over the others be avoided, and which will become the controlling element? If it doe 3 not remain one party, is the long-foreseen realignment of political groups now in prospect? These questions point directly towards 1936, and must receive the earn-' est consideration of President Roosevelt between now and_.tbe time when, in all human probability, he will seek re-election.