PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23013, 16 October 1936, Page 9

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT

PROSPECT OF RE-ELECTION STRAW POLLS CONDUCTED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) NEW YORK, Oct. 14. (Received Oct. 15, at 5.5 p.m.) There has been discernible a trend toward President Roosevelt in certain so-called doubtful States during the past 10 days Whether this is sufficient to assure him that large popular and Electoral College majority which made his victory in 1932 so outstanding is doubtful, but unless wholly unforeseen events occur between now and November 3 it seems indicated that his return will be achieved by a more comfortable majority than could have been hoped for from signs up to this writing. The betting odds now favour the President by five to two, whereas considerable even money had been wagered hitherto. Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York report that a strong current has set in for President Roosevelt, the Baltimore Sun. a Democratic newspaper which is supporting Governor Landon, conceding President Roosevelt a 63 per cent, majority in Maryland in a Statewide straw vote which it has just completed. An interesting sidelight in New York is that Duchess County, the President's home county and always Republican, is giving him a larger vote in the straw poll this year than he received in 1932 The Labour vote in Pennsylvania is still so strongly for President Roosevelt that it is believed this traditionally Republican State, which made one of its rare ventures into the Democratic column in 1934, will stay Democratic this election. Among the important agricultural States, California, lowa, Michigan and Oregon are showing a Roosevelt preference in straw votes and other tests of popular sentiment, while many sources 'agree that Kansas, Governor Landon's own State, has shown such a movement to President Roosevelt that the Republicans, if they win the State, may do so by a majority of only 8000. The New England States, with the exception of Massachusetts and New Jersey and Illinois, show Landon trends in special straw votes conducted by a leading farm journal, while Ohio remains uncertain, but to achieve victory he would be compelled to win a large number of the crucial States mentioned and which seem lost to him. The only straw poll that consistently continues to give Governor Landon a majority is that of the Literacy Digest, but this has been progressively diminishing, and the editor has warned that "it is not inconceivable that with a final sprint in the remaining tabulations before the election President Roosevelt could drive the Landon figures below 50 per cent" So far as strategy in conducting the campaign is concerned, both candidates seem to have changed little. Both are now continuously addressing audiences central group of the mentioned crucial or doubtful States. Governor Landon attacking New Deal wastefulness and the reciprocal tariff agreements, with President Roosevelt attacking " economic royalists " and pointing to the increasing evidences of recovery, even prosperity The reason why there has been a movement away from Governor Landon is said to be the fact that, while he has vigorously and not without accuracy been attacking the profligacy of relief methods, he thus far has failed to develop his own plans for substitutes, that portion of the electorate which is still drawing relief being anxious to know these. Further strong support has developed for reciprocal tariffs, particularly as the result of the efforts of Mr Cordell Hull, whose philosophy in international trade as an antidote for economic dislccation and wars is becoming increasingly popular. The Republican attack on agreements is thus proving in the nature of a boomerang. MR FORD'S DECLARATION DETROIT, Oct. 14. (Received Oct. 15, at 10 p.m.) Mr Henry Ford. supporting Governor Landon's candidature, said: "We have seen enough of the New Deal. I admire and believe in Governor Landon." MR AL SMITH'S ACTIVITIES NEW YORK, Oct. 14. (Received Oct. 15, at 11.35 p.m.) In Minnesota the Democratic Party combined with the FarmerLabour Party, thus assuring the State to the Democrats. Mr Al Smith is continuing to make bitter speeches against the New Deal. Senator Borah recently announced that from now to the end of the campaign he would make important pronouncements, not for any candidate, but on " issues cutting across party lines." Thus, what the Republicans may gain from their onetime enemy, Mr Al Smith, they may lose from their never certain adherent, Senator Borah.

On the whole the campaign is gaining momentum and vividness as it begins to draw to a close. That popular interest is intense is seen by the fact that unprecedented registration of voters is occurring and new records are being established in many places, notably in New York city.