WHO WILL OPPOSE MR ROOSEVELT ?

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLI, Issue 20440, 10 June 1936, Page 9

WHO WILL OPPOSE MR ROOSEVELT ?

CHANGE IN RIVAL POLICIES POLITICAL PLANS LESS DIVERGENT REPUBLICAN PARTY’S CHOICE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received June 9, 6.30 p.m.) CLEVELAND (Ohca), June 8. The conclusion inevitably forced on observers of the Republican Convention, on the eve of opening, is the profound change which five depression years have caused in the outlook of American political parties. To-night it seems indicated not only that there is less and less difference between the two major parties in the present campaign but that the Republicans, who are traditionally the champions of Conservatism, are being compelled by circumstances to become Radical. The circumstances of American life will be the ever-recurring demands of the great bulk of the people for what the newer leaders of the party call "social and industrial justice,” seem to be driving the farmers of the Republican platform to accept some form of the New Deal itself. The Supreme Court reversals of social and experimental legislation seem to have gone too far, and the Republicans themselves now fear that what they once acclaimed namely the inviolability of the constitutional control of wages and hours, sickness and old age benefits, pensions, etc., etc., will probably be approved by the Republican platform, although it may advocate that the States rather than the Federal Government should experiment with these. Thus Republicans will become champions of State rights, and the Democrats of greater Federal centralisation, thus reversing the traditional position of both parties. But a more significant fact is that both parties are now becoming guardains of the “Forgotten Man,” and will aim to help him virtually through the same instrumentalities. “STOP LANDON MOVEMENT” DEFEAT OF PLOTS WITHIN PARTY United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received Jufie 9, 10.30 p.m.) CLEVELAND, June 9. Rumours during the day gave varying significance to the “Stop Landon Movement." Even after Senator Borah had issued a statement disattaching himself from it, some reports persisted that Mr Landon’s opponents had not yet abandoned the fight to defeat the Kansan’s candidature. Strength of Mr Landon An official poll of every State delegation, which was conducted by a group of journalists to-night, indicated beyond reasonable doubt, however, that the Landon forces are in complete control of the situation. He will probably be nominated in the first ballot to indicate the choice of a Vice-President and the principal planks of the platform. There are now no less than 20 aspirants for the Vice-Presidency, the chief being Mr Vanderberg and Senator Steiwer, who will make the keynote address at the convention.

Rout of Conservatism The control of the Landon forces indicates a complete rout of the Conservative forces in the Republican Party. Senator Borah, while scorning to ally himself with the anti-Landon group, nevertheless continued to play a lone hand in uttering a bitter attack on the draft platform, which was ostensibly submitted to him by the Landon forces. Senator Borah’s Challenge “The plank regarding foreign affairs is timid, straddling and cowardly,” declared Senator Borah. “We should not equivocate. Let us speak the old language of the American patriots. We should stand for absolute neutrality in all foreign controversies. Furthermore, there are strong and resourceful men here, seeking to commit the party to the old rigid gold standard, which is another form of monopoly. It means not money for the people, but money for the bankers and speculators, and lower prices for producers." Senator Borah concluded with a demand to know exactly where Mr Landon stood in regard to these and other questions. BID FOR NOMINATION SHARP SKIRMISHING BY REPUBLICANS United Press Association—By eiacrrin Telegraph—Copyright CLEVELAND (Ohio), June 8. At the Republican Presidential election convention at Cleveland (Ohio), sharp skirmishing by candidates con-, tinued to-night, but they were less vital than apparent. Senator Borah Active. Senator Borah appeared on the scene to-day, and around him rallied a variety of “Stop Landon” forces, but it is not likely that the candidacy of the Kansan can be checked at this late hour. The younger Republicans are anxious for the inclusion in the platform of approval of a constitutional amendment, permitting the States to control wages and hours. Senator Borah approves of such control, but not an amendment. Other younger leaders have been suggesting the nomination of a wellknown anti-New Deal Democrat, such as Mr Newton Baker, President Wilson’s Secretary for War, for the VicePresidency, in order to assure the Republicans the widest support, but this is not likely, although most of the zealous advocates of it insist that it would assure a “spritual rebirth.” The mechanics of the convention

management, as usual, are functioning perfectly. There are many bands, and the streets are full of picturesquely dressed delegates. Vast loud speakers in the principal city squares call the delegates by name, and inform them that they are wanted on this or that committee meeting, or their wives wish to see them. Everywhere there are great crowds, all of them good humoured. Only four day tickets have been provided by the convention management, indicating that it is expected that the business will be speedily and efficiently conducted.