 Gene Chronoscope, a television journal of the important issues of the hour, brought to you every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. A presentation of the Lawn Gene Wittner Watch Company, maker of Lawn Gene, the world's most honored watch, and Wittner, distinguished companion to the world-honored Lawn Gene. Good evening. This is Frank Knight. May I introduce our co-editors for this edition of the Lawn Gene Chronoscope? Mr. William Bradford Huey, editor of the American Mercury, and Mr. Gunther Stuhlman, associate editor of the American Mercury. Our distinguished guest for this evening is the Honorable Frederick R. Kudair Jr., United States Congressman from New York. The opinions expressed are necessarily those of the speakers. Mr. Kudair, our audience, of course, knows that you are a distinguished and veteran member of the Congress of the United States. And tonight, since there is a lot of interest in the presidential campaign, some of our audience, I'm sure, would like to know something of the problems of the 435 congressmen who are running for re-election. Now, you, of course, are standing for re-election in your district, are you not, sir? That is quite right, Mr. Huey. And for your fourth term, I believe it is? I'm completing a third term and running for the fourth term. That's quite right. And what is your district, sir? The 17th district of New York that runs up and down the middle of Manhattan, on the east side largely, and part of it runs straight through to the East River from Fifth Avenue, and it goes down below Washington Square. Now, is that known as one of the silk stocking districts in New York? It was known as a silk stocking district when people wore silk stockings, but nobody wears stockings anymore, so I think possibly that's not the case. Would you say it's a typical district in the metropolitan area? I think it's a fair cross-section of the population of mid Manhattan. Mr. Cudder, do you think that now, with Mr. Eisenhower having been nominated as the Republican presidential candidate, that your chances for your own re-election have improved? Well, I have very little doubt that with the ticket that we've got now, headed by General Eisenhower and my former colleague in the House, Senator Nixon, that we're going to win. I'm quite sure that in my own district the Republicans will carry all offices from the President down. You are a Republican. Do you think that General Eisenhower is proving himself to be a good campaigner in the coming... I think he started off in great shape. I think the exchange between the President and the General the last 24 hours about the invitation to visit the White House and put Truman's yolk around his neck at the start was very much to the credit of the General itself. He was very much on the job and very alert to the issues. You don't believe then, as some critics have charged, that General Eisenhower may not be the type of man who can make the case against the Democratic Party? By no means. I think he'll make the most of it and I think he'll supply the most effective leadership. I think we're going to have a fine-smashing campaign that's going to result in victory, myself. And you think that most of the Republican members of Congress who are carrying on their campaigns in their own districts, that they are satisfied with the national ticket and the help that they will get from the national ticket? As far as I've been in contact with them, yes, of course, I can't speak for all 435. Well, in New York State, of course, is a pivotal state in this election and there's a great deal of conjecture as to how the state will go. Now, in 1948, I believe the state went for Governor Dewey, but that was largely because, or may have been because, Mr. Wallace was running and polled a very large vote. Now, this year, without a third ticket in the picture, how do you think New York State's likely to go? Well, obviously it will be a good deal more difficult to carry New York without the help of a split in the opposition. But I think all of our Republicans are going to stand firmly together. I think they're going to make this fight without reservation. I think the issues are very great and very important and I'm personally confident that the people of New York will appreciate the issues sufficiently to throw out the Democratic Administration in Washington and elect General Eisenhower. Well, now, the various voting groups in New York, do you think the General Eisenhower will run strong among the labor groups, the labor union groups in New York State? It's my own impression that there's a very large element among the so-called labor vote that will vote Republican. They voted Republican before. And not so long ago, if you'll remember, great many of them must have voted for Bob Taft in Ohio when he was re-elected. And I think they're tax conscious and I think they're conscious of inflation and I think a great many of the so-called labor vote will support the Republican ticket. Mr. Coudert, there has been a lot of talk about the so-called Negro vote. What do you think about the Negro vote in New York State? Well, of course, I can only speak for the Negro vote in New York State. My own impression there again, based upon my knowledge of that. Eisenhower is going to get a great deal of support, I think, from the Negro vote, and rightly so, because it's New York State, after all, that was the pioneer in the anti-discrimination act. I think the New York legislature was the first state legislature to pass the act. And I think many of our New York Negroes realize that there's far more chance of achieving their aspirations and objectives under a Republican Administration in Washington than under a Democratic Administration. Well, let's come quickly down to the problem in your own district, sir. Now, I believe the presidential candidates are waiting probably until Labor Day to launch their campaigns. Are you waiting until Labor Day to start your campaign? No, no, Mr. Huey, I am not. I have been campaigning unceasingly since about the 15th day of July when opposition petitions were filed in the Republican primary. So I have a primary fight on my hands first, which comes to a head on primary day on August 19th. And after that, if enough Republicans come out to vote for me, I shall have the fight against the Democratic Liberal Party candidate through to election day. Well, that's a very interesting situation for our audience because you've actually been out rubbing shoulders and shaking hands already with your constituency. Now, what sort of government do you think your constituency wants during the next two to four years? If by that you mean what are people thinking about in the district, I would say the number one issue is taxation. Taxes are eating us alive. All of us said one editorial in the Daily News one day. And my impression is that the voters in my district are very conscious of the fact that taxes are eating them alive. And that means spending and government waste and all that goes with it. I think that's almost the number one issue, subject of cost to war and defense. Now, don't your people in your district think that this country is enjoying great prosperity? I think that great many of our people are aware of the fact that that's on an artificial foundation, on an inflation foundation, and they're scared to death of where it's going to lead them. We'd like to get down to a firm foundation of balanced budgets, less public spending, and less taxation. That's the kind of thing that means a solid, stable prosperity, which assures the future and more than anything else, assures the future value of the dollars that they save and are now making. Mr. Kudair, do you think that after the election, if the Republican Party should win the election, a balanced budget will be possible? Do you think it was the armament effort and everything that is going on today? It is really possible to reduce taxes and work with a balanced budget? Because that's a very big question, but I think there's a pretty clear answer to it. Certainly, there's a far greater chance of balancing the budget on a lower level and reducing taxes in a shorter time with a Republican administration with Eisenhower in the White House and Republican majorities in both houses. We'll get a much more prudent financial management, we'll have far less waste, we'll have no corruption, and we'll have efficient management. That's bound to mean very large reductions in spending and ultimately taxes within the very near future. Now, you say that your people are, that you think your people are most concerned about the reduction of taxes. Now, is that because of some special characteristics of your constituency? I don't think so. You don't have any farmers in your... I don't have any farmers and I suppose perhaps it's because in a city district like mine, there are fewer people who are getting government handouts. So they're less conscious of the handout aspect of government than the pay-in taxes aspect of government. Your constituents are on the paying-in side. They're on the paying-out end and they're very conscious of it and they don't like it a bit. Now, sir, do you think this... do you think that there are likely to be any surprises this year? Do you think this is likely to be an extraordinary election year in which things that even the political seers won't foresee? Do you think that on November the 5th, 1952, that we're likely to wake up with some surprises? Well, I think Governor Stevenson and the Democrats may have some surprises. It's my impression that there's a very deep-seated and passionate demand for a fundamental change in Washington. I think people are so anxious for a change that they're not going to accept any mere change of face, such as Truman to Stevenson. And they're going to insist upon the kind of a change that only comes with a change of party. You think that perhaps there's a large group in the center, for instance, that may surprise some of the people who are predicting the election results? That's my confident hope. I think that's what's going to swing the election. Mr. Cadet, I'm sure that our audience has very much appreciated your views tonight and thank you for being with us, sir. Thank you for letting me come. I enjoyed it. The editorial board for this edition of the Laun Jean Chronoscope was Mr. William Bradford Huey and Mr. Gunther Stuhlman. Our distinguished guest was the Honorable Frederick R. Kudair Jr., United States Congressman from New York. To the true connoisseur of fine watches, no other name on a watch means so much as Laun Jean, the world's most honored watch. Such discriminating men and women appreciate the elegance of Laun Jean watches, their greater accuracy, and their faithfulness. Worldwide acclaim confirms their judgment. 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