PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19136, 3 October 1936, Page 5

PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

NEW MONETARY PACT BENEFIT TO ROOSEVELT ATTACK BY AL SMITH (Elec. Tol. Copyright—United Press Assn.) NEW YORK, Oct. 1. Easily the most important development in the Presidential campaign thus far was the announcement of the co-opera-tion 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 ol the leading promises in their platform and it gave the Democrats an opportunity to show actual fulfilment of a similar plan in their own platform. American business, moreover, is definitely reassured that it lias nothing further to fear in relation to tinkering with the currency from President Roosevelt. The whole episode is thus considered to favour his. political fortunes.

The Communist issue appears to have been definitely repudiated, by both candidates. The zeal of the Terre Haute, Indiana, authorities in detaining the Communist candidate, Mr. Browder, on a charge of vagrancy, is also being condemned by organs of both parties, and his release was secured to-day. ' TRUE CONSERVATIVE

While the contest still continues more or less on a basis of generalities, witli Mr, Roosevelt stressing that he is a true Conservative, for he wishes merely to reform. existing economic institutions, and the Republican nominee, Dll'. Alfred M. Landon, emphasising his opponent’s dangerous regimentation of American life, vital isolate'd issues have begun to assume considerably more importance and are receiving greater emphasis by both parties.

An exciting touch to the campaign appears to have been given by Mr. A 1 Smith who, in a first important pronouncement, uttered a violent attack on his one-time colleague and friend. “I bear no grudge against the President, but he has fooled me as he has fooled millions of Democrats,” said Air. Smith. He added that he forced the nomination of Mr. Roosevelt in 1928 against the protests of practically the entire leadership of the party.

“The New Deal welcomes all elements, even the Communist with a smoking bomb is welcome if he signs on the dotted line,” said Air. Smith. REAL OPPONENT

Among the Liberal supporters of Mr. Roosevelt the point has, been made that insofar as conservation of the best features of the New Deal are concerned, Mr. Roosevelt’s real opponent is the Supreme Court and not JMr. Landon. They, therefore, have begun to ask if be 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 Mr, Roosevelt, because it lias become increasingly clear, 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. STRAW VOTE INDICATION As a skilful politician there is very little likelihood that Mr. 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 Mr. Roosevelt’s reelection, whereas the Literary Digest poll’s latest figures give Mr. Landon 438,601 votes, Mr. Roosevelt 282,524, and Mr. Lernke 29,083. Attacks have been made on this poll, it being suggested that, since the names arc taken from telephone directories, a vast number of unemployed and relief workers are not represented. These attacks have been hotly contested by the Literary Digest’s editor, who claims that the poll will ultimately reflect the actual result with mathematical accuracy.