The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-21

music this year, both in the pri- niaries and at the polls are intimate and at the polls are intimate per- sonal friends of President Harding and their fate at the hands of the people Is being watched as an index to the favor of the administration generally throughout the country. In an off-year like this, however, local conditions very often obscure na- tional issues and make general po- 1itical deductions increasingly diff cult.
 Unusual Undercnrrents The primaries thus far held have heen ,of interest principally. to the republicans. They have been spicy enough to show that unusual politi- cal undercurrents are flowing, and more than one g. O. D. senator. usually complacent at this season of the year, is wondering just what the Tickle. and revolving fates may have in store for him. The woman vte unduestionabIy Is the. enigma. It is the first time the women have taken part in party selections. and many of the old signs are going away in the face of this new element in the body polite.
 The terms of ss sitting senators expire on March 4, next. At least 2s, and possibly 29 of these senators, are seeking, or have sought renomina- tion and election. Senator Harry S. New of Indiana. close personal friend of the President, is the first of the senators seeking renomination to be defeated.
 Makeup of Senate
 The present makeup of the Sen ate is:
 Republicans, so.
 Democrats, 36.
 There is every indication that this prepcnderant republican majority will be but little changed by the elections of this fall. The repub- Jicans are claiming that they will gain seven seats. Unquestionabiy 8here are eight doubtful spots among the Is democratic senatorships which expire next March.
 Y Democrats are claiming that they will gain a seat or two, for there are perhaps five doubtful spots among the Is republican senatorships which are up for decision at the Mo- veniber polls
 stand-off Likely
 Keen political observers who have studied the situation are of the opin- ion that stand-of this year would be satisfactory to both parties and that Is precisely what is likely to happen. No democrat is radical enough to predict what is likely to happen. No democrat is radical enough to predict that. the political complexion of the Senate can be changed this year.. or even; made close.
 In the House. things are somewhat different. Many so-called rock ribbed democratic districts crashed into the republican column two years ago under the impetus,of the 1000, ,0eo majority given to President Harding. Most of these will swing backa to normaloy this year and send demo- crats once more to the lower branch. Some, democrats are hopeful of capturing the House, but when it is considered that s5 of S6 districts must be overturned to accomplish such a result. the size of the task confronting the democratic party managers easily is appreciated.
 Expiring in March ' S>nators whose terms expire next Maroh are as follows:
 bertson, Texas; Gerry, Rhode Island Hitchcock, Nebraska: Jones, New Mexico; Kendrick, wyoming; King, Utah.; Mcclellan, Tennessee; Myers, Montana; Pittman. Nevada; Pomsr- enc, Ohio; Reed, Missouri Swanson Virginia; Trammel, Florida; Will Hams, Mississippi. srs
 Republicans-caIder, New Yor. Crow. Pennsylvania; Dupont. DeIa-