Evening star., 1922-09-26
Sway Away From RepubIi-
cans--Democrats Not
Profiting Yet.
GUBERNATORIAL FIGHT
TODETERMINE STATUS
Experts, However, Believe G. 0. P,
Will Lose Half of Congressional
Delegation to Foe.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

CLEVELAND, Ohio, September 90
President Harding has lost ground IN
his home state. Nobody can, upon
analysis, put his finger on the exact
reason 1t was Inevitable that an
unprecedented majority Of 100000
should melt away. but there are few
democrats of political sagacity who
will say it has vanished altogether.
This is normally a city of demo-
cratic tendency. To win this county
often means a state victory. Yet.
with all the criticism of the Harding
administration that one hears. there
is no corresponding enthusiasm for
the democratic party. The repub-
licans may be in disfavor, but they
haven't grown bad enough in public
esteem to send the tide in the other
political direction as yet
The best indication of what is
going on in northern Ohio is the
comment on Senator Pomerene's fight
for reelection. He is personally
popular. Republicans by the scores
sing his praises. in spite OF the fact
thar he is a democrat. Lots of re-
publicans consider him strong man
because he has refused to coddle to
labor unions and has pursued cour-
aEeous course in Congress. On the
surface 1t would seem that such a
man would have a certain victory.
Yet his own friends admit he has "a
hard fight ahead" and they are
frankly doubtful. Labor is fighting
him, and as for republican business
men. they are influential but not so
numerous at the polls. Many of them
admire Il democrat of courage. but
they don't always let their admiration
pull them ayay from party strings.
Paradoxical as it may seem the gu
bernatorial fight here will be Il better
index of the state Of mind of the pub
lie on the Harding administration
than will be the Congressional con-
tests. Carmi Thompson, republican
candidate for governor. is an inti-
mate friend Of President Harding.
The incumbent at Columbus is a repub-
lican. but he wasn't renomInated.
Thompson will not have much of an
opportunity on the stump. Vic Dona-
hey, the democratic candidate is
popular. He ran way ahead OF his
ticket in 1920. The friends of Mr..
Thompson win wage a standby the
thousand is big majority for any;
democrat to overcome. Donahey Will
cut it down extensively. It's too
early to say who will win. but as
Donahey takes large slices out of the
republican lead of two years ago, he
representatives. The republicans have
ali the members of Congress from
Ohio now. They may lose half OF
them.
BENJAMIN Karr, statistical wizard OF
the Cleveland News republican
Il 1,a N oil
ures and calculated the ratio of gain
and loss, if applied nationally. and
comes to the conclusion that the DEM
ocrats would, under those circum.
stances. .elect eleven out OF twenty
two representatives. Carrying |,
through out the nation, he opines tina,
the present republican majority in the
House of 167 will be cut down to SO.
The wet and dry issue will be
fought here in new form. A refer
endum on an amendment to the state
constitution permitting light wine!
and beer will be voted on on Novem.
,, ber Z. 1t will hardly be fair test
MANY people who might approve know
II would conflict with the federal Con
stitution and they will not waste time
voting on it. Nevertheless, the issue
will be widely discussed, and the can
didates will win and lose votes by
their respective declarations on thu
subject.
Bakers stand a Factor.
Again in Cleveland, as in western
New York, the writer discovers the
public mind disturbed about indus
| trial issues. The headquarters of thu
! railroad brotherhoods are here. Thi!
is a union stronghold. Nothing ha!
created quite the sensation however
| as the preachment of Newton D. Bak
| -7Don1ir11o,I I,D nape cOjnmn 2