THE “NEW DEAL”

Southland Times, Issue 22472, 7 November 1934, Page 7

THE “NEW DEAL”

APPROVAL EXPECTED EVE OF ELECTION IN AMERICA DEMOCRATIC VICTORY ASSURED (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 7 p.m.) Washington, November 5. To-morrow 30,000,000 Americans go to the polls to elect 34 senators and a new House of Representatives. The consensus of opinion is that the Democrats will emerge with a two-thirds majority in the Senate and possibly lose 30 seats in the House—a result which would be hailed as hearty endorsement of Mr Roosevelt’s “new deal” policies. Aside from the personal popularity of the President, the factor operating in favour of Mr Roosevelt’s party is best summed up in the words of Mr Al. Smith, one time Democratic presidential candidate: “Nobody wants to shoot Santa Claus”—a reference to public works and relief measures and to patronage extended by the Government to millions of citizens. With the result of the Democratic majorities in both Houses a foregone conclusion, and conceding the possibility of a two-thirds majority in the House as well as the Senate, the result may bring about an unprecedented situation here, namely, a Democratic President and Senate with sufficient weight _of party vote to ratify foreign treaties, and a House overwhelmingly Democratic to bring up whatever financial legislation the Administration may require. The possible result would be a realignment of the party systems in the United States.

With many Republicans adhering through belief or for reason of policy to the Rooseveltian ideology, and with some conservative Democrats in opposition, it is not inconceivable that there might develop a definite cleavage to right and left without regard to the old paijy labels. Before Mr Roosevelt’s advent there was but a small actual distinction between the political philosophies of the Democrats and of the Republicans. While the New York Herald Tribune, a Republican journal, refers to the election as the most important since the Civil War, possibly on the ground that it may mark the dissolution of the oldtime Republican Party, the fact that all observers have conceded a Democratic victory of some sort has taken the major interest from the battle, save for local contests and those of a few outstanding figures, such as Mr David A. Reed, Republican senator from Pennsylvannla, and Mr Upton Sinclair, the radical novelist, seeking the Governorship of California. The populace appears to be apathetic. Californians strongly favour the chances of Mr Frank F. Merriam (Republican) as against those of Mr Sinclair. Mr Sinclair was nominated by the Democrats, but has received no endorsement from Washington. In any case the result will be a victory for the “new deal,” since Mr Merriam stands for Rooseveltianism. Although Mr Merriam is an overwhelming betting favourite, Mr Sinclair’s “epic” _ forces are continuing desperate campaigning tactics and insist that victory can yet be won. According to custom Mr Roosevelt made no personal bid to the public to support the Administration. He retired to his home at Hyde Park where he will cast a personal vote. THREE KILLED VIOLENCE IN PENNSYLVANIA. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 8.45 p.m.) New York, November 6. The first election violence was reported from Hazelton (Pennsylvania) where three were killed and many injured, several of whom are reported to be dying, when unknown persons fired a machine-gun on a parade of Democratic supporters engaged in a final political rally. According to reports machine-gun fusillades came from the second storey of a building reputed to be the home of a prominent Republican politician. Emergency police were called to prevent Democrats making reprisals on the alleged perpetrators and a resultant massacre. INJURED TOTAL NINETEEN. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 10 pan.) New York, September 6. The number injured in the machinegun episode was 19, including six women. The outrage occurred _at Kelayres, a mining village five miles south of Hazelton, and came as the climax to a long period of factional political strife.