Stevenson Attacks American 'Bigness'

Governor Adlai E. Stevenson told a capacity crowd in Springfield Memorial Auditorium Saturday night that "the deeply ominous growth of bigness in American society" is threatening individual freedom, as he climaxed a day-long tour through key cities and towns in Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts.

He said that the individual's opportunities to develop his personality are endangered by "this age of bigness--the age of vast assembly lines, giant corporations, huge office buildings, vast and sprawling suburbs of vast and sprawling cities." The governor waxed political when he added that "Joe Smith is in competition with General Motors."

Parties Reflect Cleavage

Stevenson's point in Springfleld--and in his other five barnstorming speeches of the day--was that this cleavage between the individual and the big organization is reflected in the structure and approach of the nation's two political parties.

At Providence, where he addressed a crowd of 5,000 from the steps of City Hall in the warm noon sun, he defined this difference. "When the Republican leaders think of economic problems," he said, "they see a ledger and a cashbook. When Democrats think of economic problems, they see men, women and children."

Stevenson's motorcade, leaving Providence early Saturday afternoon with horns and sirens wailing, included approximately 100 vehicles. In the van were the open cars of the candidate and his sons, his official family, and the Democratic aspirants for lower places on the Rhode Island and Massachusetts tickets.

Three press buses, including more than 90 newsmen, were included in the cavalcade.