AMERICAN PRESIDENCY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23002, 3 October 1936, Page 13

AMERICAN PRESIDENCY

PROGRESS OF CAMPAIGN IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) NEW YORK, Oct. 1. (Received Oct. 2, at 10.30 p.m.) Easily the most important development in the Presidential campaign thus 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 socalled 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 by a similar plank in their own platform. American business, moreover, is definitely reassured that it has nothing further to fear from tinkering with currency from President Roosevelt. The whole episode is thus considered to favour his political fortunes. The Communistic issue appears to have been definitely repudiated by both candidates. The Terre Haute authorities’ zeal in detaining Mr Browder yesterday is also being condemned by the organs of both parties, and his release was secured to-day, while the contest still continues more or less on the basis of generalities, with President Roosevelt stressing that he is a true Conservative, for he wishes merely to reform existing economic institutions, and Governor 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 the Liberal supporters of President Roosevelt the point has been made that, in so far as conservation of the best features of the New Deal are concerned, President Roosevelt’s real opponent is the Supreme Court and not Governor 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 re-election, intend to ask for a mandate from the country on this fundamental question? This is likely to become embarrassing to President Roosevelt, because it has been increasingly cleai since the Supreme Court’s rulings that the temper of the people is against any considerable changes in the Supreme Court, which institution the Republicans are strongly championing. As a skilful politician, there is very little likelihood that President Roosevelt will make this an issue for re-election, probably contenting himself with presenting the question to the people one way or another, after rather than before the election. Straw votes as an index to popular sentiment appear to differ, some canvasses indicating President Roosevelt’s re-election, whereas the Literary Digest poll’s latest figures give Governor Landon 438,601 votes, President Roosevelt 282,524, and Mr Lemke 29,083. Attacks have been made on this poll that since the names are taken from telephone directories a vast number of unemployed and relief workers are therefore not represented. The attacks have been hotly contested by the editor, who 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, who 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 fooled me as he fooled millions of Democrats.” Mr Smith added that he forced the nomination of President Roosevelt in 1928 against the protests of practically the entire leadership of the party. “ The New Deal welcomes all elements. Even a Communist with a smoking bomb is welcome if he signs on the dotted line.”