New-York tribune., 1918-01-23
Wilson's Open Break With
Chamberlain Has Sent
C. o. P. Hopes Booming
Lack Only IL Votes
With Split Among Democratic
Sentiment, Working Ma
jority Is in Sight
[ Staff Correspondence

Chamberlain and of Investigations by
the Senate in general, in the opinion Of
Republicans here, gave them for the
first time good fighting chance to win
control Of the Senate at the election to
be held next fall
Not for quotation, of course Rcpub-
lican leaders have not been, until to-
day, at all optimistic about their
chances for winning the Senate next
election. They were sure of gains, but
there are some weak points in their
armor. There were tt rec states, for in
stance, now represented by Republi-
cans in the upper house, which there
was strong probability would send
Democrats to the Senate next fall
These states were Oregon Nebraska
and Wyoming. Oregon IS only repre-
sented by Republican because a Re-
publican Governor appointed success
sor Of his own party to Senator Harry
Lane, who was Democrat. George w
Norris. Republican, of Nebraska, comes
up for reelection this fall. Due to his
vote against war, and the strength of
braska since the elimination of Bryan
from it's leadership, Republicans gen
orally have been fearful about that sit
uation
In Wyoming the situation is that
Senator Warren is retiring at the end
of his present term, and the probable
Republican candidate, Representative
Mondell, is not nearly so strong.
The present Democratic majority in
10 ho, loo
new Democratic Senator from Idaho
and not counting Ia Follctte-thes
weak spots had made the Republicans
rather hopeless until they began to
figure on the effect in Oregon Of the
Presidents attack on Senator Cham
berlain, and on the effect in Nebraska
Of the Presidents arraigEmcnt of all
the Investigations, Senator Hitchcock
having been one of the prime movers in
the military investigation ord having
been the author of the resolution lev
elled at DR.. Garhelds factory-closing
coal order.
The Oregon situation is probably the
more interesting and important. Only
the personal popularity Of George +.
Chamberlain had kept him in the Sen
ate. Oregon was the only state in that
whole Western Countrywide only state
west of South Dakota-which went for
Hughes last year. It's three members
Of the House arc all Republican. Cham
berlain's long political record in the
state, particular as Governor and
Senator, has been such as to win him
a popularity so remarkable as to enable
him to win almost in spite Of the fact
that he is Democrat, rather than be-
cause he has been one.
The Chance in Oregon
The Democrats have been counting
on Senator Chamberlain's influence
with the voters Of Oregon to elect
Democratic successor to Senator Nc
Barry, Republican, who is serving by
appointment in the seat of the late
Senator Lane. 1t is not believed now
that Mr.. Chamberlain could appeal
ron to elect Senator in Mr. McNary's
place to "stand by the Pres dent"
In Nebraska the situation is not pro-
nounced only that the President did
denounce Senator Hitchcock person
ally but only denounced his works.
Senator Hitchcock is the Democratic
boss of Nebraska and has almost elm
mated William Jennings Bryan from
Nebraska politically. He prevented
Mr. Bryan's even obtaining the seat of
a delegate at the st. Louis convention,
despite the Presidents virtual grant of
the Nebraska political patronage to
Mr.. Bryan when the Commoner was
Secretary of State. Mr.. Hitchcock also
papers i'll the state, "The Omaha
World Herald" and "The Evening
World Herald" 1t is safe prediction
that he will be fighting for more eff
cheney in the War Department as we'll
as the present direction of the depart
ment continues, and for the War Cab
met plan SO long as that is matter
Of controversy.
Present indications, therefore, are
that the Democratic candidate for the
seat now occupied by Senator George
W. Norris, Republican, will not have
some powerful support that he might
Senator Hitchcock will bolt his ticket,
but that he will not be able to make
any forceful plea for Senator to
stand by the President" when that
Pres ident has heartily Endorsed a War
Department which Mr.. Hitchcock
thinks has bungled its job.
Counting the new Democratic Sem
ator from Idaho and not counting La
Foleltte, the Democrats have fifty-th
members OF the Senate at present and
the, the ~" RepnellSans W;nso forty-one. with
cans are sure of the Wisconsin seat.
making forty-two, and may win also
in New Hampshire, where Senator
Hollis comes up, as we'll as defeat
Senators Hughes. in New Jersey;
Lewis, in Illinois; Thompson, in
Kansas, and elect a Republican in
Idaho to fill Senator Brady's seat. thus
giving them total of forty seven sure
seats. If the Democrats win all the
rest they will have forty-eight, good |.
working majority, in view of La Fol
lette usually voting with the Demo-
Gratis except on war measures, and
of the Nice-President's vote in reserve
in the event of tie.
However, the chances of Republican
success are also good in Delaware.
where Senator Salisbury comes up for
reelection; in Montana, where Miss
Jeannette Rankin may oppose Senator
Walsh, and in Nevada, to fill the seat
of the late Senator Newlands.
Victory in any two of these three
states would give them a clear workinr
majority: Victory in one Of the thrce
would give them exactly onc-half Tho
membership Of the upper house without
the vote of La Toilette.
Four Boys Break Legs When
Sled Hits Taxi in Yo,La..