The Big Three

The three major candidates in Canada's general election stepped up their pace.

The CCF. Fastest campaigner was chunky Socialist Major (a name, not a title) James Coldwell, who zipped by air from the west to the east coast in six days, made six speeches. In an Ottawa auditorium, he stood before a backdrop of signs reading "Jobs for All" and "Homes for All," talked for an hour to an audience of 1,200. His biggest platform promises: socialization of monopolies, high taxes on high incomes, 5,000,000 jobs, 1,000,000 new houses.

The Progressive Conservatives. "Farmer John" Bracken traveled more slowly, saw more people. He had made 20 formal speeches by week's end, had about ten to go. But it was not as strenuous as it seemed: he always delivered basically the same speech. On a typical day, he was whisked 50 dusty miles by auto from Regina to Indian Head, Saskatchewan. In the town's 100-seat theater, he labored stolidly through his speech. Chief points: Canada's war effort has been sad; there must be military conscription for the Pacific war. Text finished, he talked brightly with the farmers about crops, had tea, raced for Regina and his train.

The Liberals. Prime Minister King's week was spent shaking thousands of hands, talking with hundreds of little people. He was friendly, cheerful, hearty, confident. At every crossroads where he stopped, he walked to bystanders, hand outstretched. His short talks always included: "If I was as bad as they say I am, I would not have been Prime Minister so long." His formal speeches were always sprinkled with phrases like: "Now that this terrible period of war is over. . . ." In Saskatchewan, the Prime Minister bid for left-wing votes ("We will take from those who are favored and give to those who are less favored"). But even in that socialistic province, he acted like a man who was sure he would win.

Only once--at Hornepayne, Ontario--did he encounter noticeable hostility. He was speaking to school children when a man jerked a small boy from the crowd, shouted: "Get on home. I won't have you listening to that crap!" He called the Prime Minister "Hitler," finally charged toward him with fists up. Mr. King never budged. The man was led away, muttering.

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