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Show Close Presidential Race Forecast By Survey A recent study by the American Institute of Public Opinion indicates that the 19 40 Presidential elections will be a much closer affair than those of 1932 and 1936. Dr. George Gallup, director of the institute, says of the 60,000,000 eligible votes 25,000,000 consider con-sider themselves Democrats and approximately 23,000,000 consider themselves Republicans. Independent voters will number arouud 11,500,000 and on them the spotlight will be turned. UOf . 1 fA in lao more man iu per cent of the independents were for President Roosevelt. Today, institute studies show a close division in sympathy between the two parties on the part of the independents. A little less than one-third favor a Democratic victory, vic-tory, according to Dr Gallup in i the May issue of Cosmopolitan i Magazine, and approximately the same number are on the Repu-i Repu-i blican side. A small majority of 'the independents with opinions are opposed to a Roosevelt third term at this time. Dr. Gallup points out the slightly ridiculous angle of controversy con-troversy over reciprocal trade treaties which will be thundered from every side. Ridiculous because be-cause the institute study revealed reveal-ed the fact that) the reciprocal trade issue is beyond the immediate im-mediate interest and understanding understand-ing of 90 per cent of the nations' voters. Another issue which both sides will make much of is the i Wagner Labor Act which again is not a burning problem to many of the voters While more people understand its significance signifi-cance to a greater degree than that of the reciprocal treaties, researches ;.-!row tint over half the voters haven't given the act much thought The article goes on to 6ay that government spending is something some-thing on which uearjy all voters have positive views. Reduction appeals to most of the people but the opinions on how such reduction reduc-tion in spending is to be brought about differ. Relief, public works and farm benefts can all be re-dined, re-dined, according to the voters, but a rise in defense spending seems to meet with geuerul approval. ap-proval. An nverwlmlminp- intnroc-f to evidenced everywhere on the question of America entering the war. Members of both parties ' agree that we should keep out, which is not surprising. However How-ever the almost total absence of dissension over the tactics of the Administration In foreign politics is more or less unusual. Dr. lup says: , "In one especially interesting survey the institute found that about one person in every qhree has at least thought about th problem (peace) and has some suggestion to offer. About 8 000,000 voters, judging by the survey, are considering some international organization, such as a 'United States of Europe,' a 'union of democracies,' a 'world union,' as proposed by Clarence Slreit in 'Union Now', or oven a revived League of Nations" |