South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-03-01
LOYALTY ISSUE
IN WISCONSIN
TOGA BATTLE
Eyes of Nation Fixed on Sen
atOriaI Fight to Fill Va
CanCy Caused by Death
of Paul HuSting.
BY ROBERT B. SMITH.

international News Service
WASHINGTON. March The
official and political eyes of Wash
ington were focused today upon
Wisconsin. There. at the primaries
ON March 10, and at the election
on April ?, 20 hll the vacancy il
the United States caused by the
death Of Paul O. Hustlng, the ma
tion probably will obtain its first
definite test OF Americanism YER
sus pacifism since the war began.
No special election in recent years
has aroused so much political in
terest IL is regarded in Washington
as sort OF weather vane with the
most far-reaching consequences up
on the approaching national con-
gressional campaign. Political sees
with their ears close TO the ground.
predicted the Wisconsin fight would
be one OF the bitterest the country
has ever seen.
Many Sided Amair.
The Wisconsin contest is a many
cornered affair with Sen. Robert NJ.
La Toilette, under fire i'm the SEN
ate on disloyalty charges. standing
as the central figure. Although his
present term does not expire until
1925, sen. In Toilette and his poll
cies form the underlying issue IN
the fight The question is whether
Wisconsin shall send the senate
man backed by Sen. La Toilette ana
pledged 20 support the senator's
policies or whether IL shall elect
ported the war and all war meas
ures with vigor and wholehearted-
ness.
Four candidates already have
their hats i'm the ring on the repub-
lican side. Irvine l.. Lenroot James
Thompson la Crosse attorney.
Francis McGovern. former governor
and Edward F. Dithmar. Heutena NJ
governor. have announced their
candidates. Both Thompson and
Dithmar have been ardent La Fol
lette men. Dithmar is regarded rs
the acknowledged La Toilette lead
er i'm Wisconsin. Dithmar was one
OF the original delegates who stay
ed pat at the republican national
convention in Chicago in 1912. T1
not openly indicated his preference.
although he has been reported rs
favoring Thompson.
McGOvern has Backing.
NIcGovern has the backing of the
Loyalty Legion. lie became a ma
t.onal figure six years ago when ne
bolted the la Toilette camp ana
came out for Theodore Roosevelt
for the republican nomination at
the Chicago convention. He served
AS governor two terms and then was
forced into private life by defeat
at the hands Of Sen. Husting. whose
seat he now seeks.
The outsider Is Rep Irvine h.
Lenroot. progressive republican ana
one Of the leaders OF the house
Rep. LenroOt has formally an
nounced his candidacy. still another
dark horse" is Rep. Henry Allan
Cooper. a republican who is stiU sit
ting on the fence tryin- 20 decide
whether 90 make the run
ON Democratic side.
The race on the democratic side
i- between Joseph r. Davies. west
ern manager OF the Wilson cam
uaigu I'm 1912 and more recently
chairman and memb Der of the fed
eraI trade commission. and Dr.
charles Mccarthy. executive assist
ant 90 Food Administrator Herbert
a. Hoover. and some times called
Wisconsin's "bul manufacturer.
There is no important issue on the
democratic side
Victor Berger of Milwaukee. for
mer member or congress. iS 20 he
candidate ON the socialist ticket
Leaders OF both parties admit that
under certain circumstances me viii
he "a dangerous contender There Is
mo- Americanism az stake in the
democratic party. III the republicans
nominate man whose war record
.an stand FIRE such as Lenroot. thrn
sU Of the malcontents. 10 was pre-
Iicted today. viii turn 90 Berger