AMERICAN ELECTIONS.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18168, 5 November 1930, Page 5

AMERICAN ELECTIONS.

DEMOCRATS CONFIDENT. GLOOM AT WHITE HOUSE. LAST MINUTE EFFORTS FAIL. —— i Lhited Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright NEW YORK, November 3. On the eve of the Congressional elections the Democrats are more and more confident of capturing control of the House of Representatives, if not the Senate, to-morrow. . The most optimistic estimates indicate that the Democrats’ majority in the House may be as high as 20. That they will have substantial gains is more clearly indicated than ever and their ultimate majority probably will be six to ten seats. As for the Senate, it is now believed that the Republicans probably will retain nominal control. The Democrats say they will gain ten -seats, hut that figure is far from certain. Nominal control, however, w’ould not he sufficient for the Republicans, and the result would be tantamount to a Democrat Congress and in the nature of a repudiation of the Hoover Administration similar to that of Mr Woodrow'Wilson In 1918.

Last minute efforts by members of the Cabinet to throw themselves actively into the campaign by delivering addresses which have been broadcast throughout the country have not met with particular success, and all observers agree that White House is more gloomy than has been the case since 1918.

Another important indication as to the trend in 1932, when the Presidential election will take place, is expected from the results of to-morrow’s elections of Governors in 31 States. An Interesting Contest. Probably the most interesting contest for the Senate has occurred in Illinois, where Mrs Ruth McCormick is the Republican candidate. She has pledged herself to abide by a State-' wide prohibition referendum, the result of which will avowedly be "wet.” Mrs McCormick is opposed by a former member -;Of the Senate, Mr Lewis, a Democrat, who is an antiprohibitionist, and Mrs Lo'ttie O’Neal, an independent prohibitionist.

The economic depression 'issue throughout the .country was given a new and interesting turn by the chairman of the Democrats’ national committee, Mr J. J. Raskob, who announced the party’s programme. (The three most important planks were: — A five-day working week for all; no limitation to industrial mergers where they are not inimical to the public interest; and the creation of a nonpartisan Tariff Commission the members of which would have a life term and be surrounded with dignities similar to those- of the United States Supreme Court. As Mr Raskob is one of the richest industrialists in America, his lastminute proposals have created a furore though it is impossible to judge what their ultimate effects on the elections will be.