"Look, Listen & Learn ''

Putting on what he called his "fighting clothes" (dark grey sack suit), Governor Roosevelt last week traveled far, spoke often on his second campaign trip to "look, listen and learn." His itinerary was a triangle from Albany to St. Louis to Atlanta to New York. Because more than half of the territory he covered was already conceded to him by Republicans, some of his advisers viewed the long journey as wasted campaign effort. His speeches were of less political importance than the enormous crowds he drew everywhere, the noisy enthusiasm his presence kindled. Nothing could serve better to rebut Republican whispers that he is a sickly cripple than his public exhibition of robust vitality.

Before leaving New York State Governor Roosevelt made two local speeches for the election of Democrat Herbert Henry Lehman as his Albany successor. A new Roosevelt idea: "I don't want to regard Governors of the 48 States as strange people. I am going to ask them to come to Washington and sit around the table. . . . I'd like to know I can call up Albany on the long distance telephone and say, 'Hello, Herbert. I wish you'd run down to the White House and have supper. I've got a lot of problems common to the Federal Government and New York I'd like to talk over with you.' " Governor Roosevelt appealed for the election of other Democratic Governors whom he could summon to the White House by telephone.

A sidetrip took him to Wheeling. Adept at baby-kissing, he was holding a 2-year-old on his lap when a coal miner, carrying pick, lamp and dinner pail approached. "Is this your little girl?" asked the Governor. Replied the miner: "Me? I ain't got nuthin'." "You seem to have a job," joked the Democratic nominee. Replied the miner: "Work six days--six dollars. What de hell!"

At Pittsburgh Governor Roosevelt flayed President Hoover for fiscal mismanagement and extravagance, declared against the Soldier Bonus so long as the Treasury is in the red, pointed to a beer tax as a budget-balancer. He promised to even up income and outgo, except when "starvation and dire need make necessary the appropriation of additional funds which would keep the budget out of balance." A new Roosevelt idea: "Before any man enters my Cabinet he must give me a pledge of absolute loyalty on economy and complete co-operation on re-organization in his department."

The Roosevelt special got lost in Ohio, was unexpectedly routed through Cincinnati instead of by another line along which thousands were waiting to greet the Governor. At Indianapolis 100,000 people packed Monument Circle to hear and see the Democratic nominee on a hotel balcony. Cried he: "This is not a campaign but a crusade!" G. O. Partisans looked on glumly while the crowd roared. To wellwishers with outstretched hands the Governor boasted: "I like to shake hands and I can do it without hurting my hands." A Roosevelt caller: Indiana's Republican Governor Leslie.

At Springfield, Ill. long-legged Republican Governor Emmerson was on hand to greet the Democratic Governor of New York, conduct him to Lincoln's Tomb, within which he refused to be photographed. At the Arsenal he was introduced with many another Democratic candidate for office including one John P. ("Cotton") Cox, running for coroner. Declared Governor Roosevelt: "I'm interested that the greatest applause came for the candidate for coroner. That seems to indicate that you expect many obsequies." He promised a "definite plan for the refinancing of farm mortgages."

"We want beer!" yelled St. Louis crowds. Governor Roosevelt promised it to them. He flayed the Republicans for their scare campaign (see p. 9), mocked their methods as "an old-fashioned melodramatic campaign with stage properties patented by Mark Hanna and Matt Quay that for years had been lying dust-covered in the attic of American politics."

At Louisville, where Republican Mayor Harrison turned out with 30,000 Democrats to greet him, he blamed the Depression on Republican practices, ridiculed the Hoover claim that it came from overseas. Knoxville made its mountains echo with cheers while Atlanta, unaccustomed to the sight of Democratic nominees at the height of a campaign, gave Governor Roosevelt the kind of welcome it used to give Bobby Jones. Turning North he made his last speech off his home grounds at Baltimore.

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