HOOVER’S SLASHING ATTACK

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLI, Issue 20442, 12 June 1936, Page 9

HOOVER’S SLASHING ATTACK

NEW DEAL UNDER FIRE ELECTION CAMPAIGN OPENS REPUBLICANS WILDLY ENTHUSIASTIC United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received June 11, 10.55 p.m.) CLEVELAND, June 11. The appearance of Mr Herbert Hoover at the Convention hall introduced the first genuine ingredient of excitement to the Convention and, after the delegates had cheered him to the echo for 15 minutes, the former President launched a harsh, bitter attack on the New Deal and made a solemn exhortation to the Republicans to come to the rescue of the nation. Republican Responsibilities. “In this room, rests the greatest responsibility that has come to a body of A- ericans in three generations," declared Mr Hoover. “To some people the New Deal appears to be a strong interlude In American history, because it has no philosophy, because it is sheer opportunism, because it is a muddle of the spoils, a system of emotional economics, reckless adventure, unctious claims to the monopoly of human sympathy, greed for power, and desire for popular acclaim. That is not a charitable view to other people. It appears to be a cold-blooded attempt by starry-eyed boys, to infect the American people, by a mixture of European ideas, flavoured with the old native predilection to get something for nothing. For the first time in the history of America, we have heard the gospel of class hatred preached from White House. That Is a human poison, far deadlier than fear. Every reader of the history of democracy knows that it is the final rock on which all democracies have been wrecked.” Rally to Mr Hoover. It was the evidence of the startling lack of the picturesque or of vital leaders of the Republican Party that the Convention rallied so strongly to Mr Hoover. It had not had anyone to cheer so far, and there Is little prospect of having anyone, for although during the day and night, the strength of Governor Landon continued to grow by additional State delegates, Indicating their intention to vote for him, it is a commonly acknowledged fact that Governor Landon is virtually an unknown figure in his own party. He has said little and repeatedly declined to make any declaration of opinion on controversial issues and, besides the fact that his personal fortune comes from petroleum business, there is scant information available as to his background. Senator Borah’s Chances As for Senator Borah, he has not even appeared at the Convention so far, being content to remain in his hotel room, dickering for support making threats. “This is Your Call.” Thus to the Convention delegates and even to the spectators, Mr Hoover represented a cause, even if it is a lost one. As he was completing his speech, a heavy thunderstorm outside caused the steel rafters of the hall to crackle ominously, and to give startling emphasis to his concluding words: “Republicans and fellow Americans, this is your call. Retreat in chaos of doubt, confusion and fear. Yours is the task to command, turning the eyes of your fell v.v Americans to the sunlight of freedom, and to lead the attack to retake and remain in the citadels of liberty, Thus can America be preserved, thus can the onnortunity, for the inheritance, and the spiritual future of your children be guaranteed, and thus ycu can win the gratitude of prosperity and be able to sing to Almighty God.” After nearly a half hour’s cheering upon the former President leaving the rostrum, delegates from the floor began an impromptu chant, “We want Hoover,” which the chairman’s gavel was able to drown out only with difficulty. The Californian delegation raised its banner, and began an ecstatls march round the hall. Finally the chairman made himself heard above the glamour, saying: -'Mr Hoover has left the hall. He had to catch a train to go to New York.” The delegates, however, were not so easily satisfied. They continued to make a tremendous noise and broke into singing “Onward, Christian Soldiers.” Mr Fletcher, chairman of the Republican National Committee, bent down from the official stand, and said to the pressmen: “This is enthusiasm.” After another half hour’s enthusiasm, the stentorian voice of the chairman announced the adjournment of the Convention for the night. Oxford Group Appears No account of the day’s proceedings would be complete without recording the arrival of a number of members of the Oxford Group, under the leadership of Mr Buchan himself. The group had just concluded a long meeting at Stockbridge (Massachussetts), and came to Cleveland “to put the thoughts of the delegates on God.” DRAFTING ELECTION PROGRAMME MANY PITFALLS ENCOUNTERED United Frees Association—Bv Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received June 11, 6.30 p.m.) CLEVELAND, June 11. How important the foreign trade issue is becoming, is indicated by the fact that the platform committee of the Republican Party is considering a

plank advocating the cancellation of reciprocal treaties and tariff adjustments. Governor Landon’s Attitude That the platform, particularly the difficult and contentious monetary issue, continues to produce much dissension, and Governor Landon’s desire to placate all varieties of sentiment has

produced the situation of too many cooks. Stabilisation by international agreement, and the rejection of bimetallism and return to the fixed gold content of the dollar, as soon as it can safely be achieved, and other perplexing aspects of the monetary problem, make easy agreement difficult. It is on this front that the allegedly Conservative Eastern interests are staging their last stand. It is believed that Governor Landon favours them, thus hoping to secure their whole-hearted support with campaign funds, etc., etc. Boom For Mr Hoover Mr Herbert Hoover arrived to-day, and addsessed Convention sessions tonight. His speech was a closely guarded secret. The chief importance of the speech, however, will probably lie in the fact that the former President’s friends may seize the occasion to start to boom his nomination for the Presidency. While anything can happen in an American Political Convention, this is not considered likely. Election Programme Drafted At an early hour this morning, the committee completed the draft of the platform, ostensibly satisfactory to all sides. The programme was then transmitted by trunk line telephone to Governor Landon at Topeka (Kansas), for final approval, before submission to the Convention,” as he undoubtedly will be the candidate,” said a member of the committee.