The New York herald., 1922-04-17
HALE FACES FIGHT
AS MAINE SENATOR
Former Representative Guern-
sey, His Party Opponent, Has
Strong Machine.
FERNALD SIDE INVOLVED
Three Republicans Are in Race
for Party Gubcrnat0rial
Nomination.

speeidi Dispatch to THE New YORK HEaALp
AUGUSTA. Me-. April Ex-senator
Frederick Hale is facing a determined
fight for denomination at the primaries
June 10. interviewer with his contest
Is triangular battle for the Republican
Gubernatorial nomination. There is
every present prospect. according to
political wiseacres, that either Senator
Hale or Gov. Percival p. Baxter Nm
meet with defeat. They are both resi-
dents of Portland. and there is said to
be a pronounced feeling among Repub-
licans elsewhere In the State that Port
land cannot reasonably expect both
Senator and Governor In the same
campaign.
Senator Hale's opponent Is former
Representative Frank E. Guernsey OF
Dover, who succeeded the late Charles
A. Boutelle in the lower house. Mr..
Guernsey has entertained Senatorial as
pirations for some years and he has
built up formidable machine largely
through his own personal popularity.
His strength In eastern and central
Maine is undoubted. and because OF a
somewhat unusual situation his friends
are counting on substantial support in
the western part of the State as well.
II this support materializes it viii
be due to the uneasiness Of the friends
of Senator Bert M. Fernald over the
election Of 1924. Senator Fernald6
home Is in West Poland-not far from
Poland Springs-and IL Mr.. Hale Is
again returned to the Senate former
Gov Fernald's supporters expect tho cry
that western Maine Is receiving moro
than it's fair share of recognition viii
be raised against him two years hence.
Tt would be much better for Senator
Fernald. so many of his friends are ar
guing. to have the matter settled now,
and they figure that 1t would be settled
IL Mr.. Guernsey--an easterner--were to
be nominated at the coming primaries.
So far as Is known. Senator Fernald
himself is taking no part in the con-
test. but 1t is undeniably true that
many of his friends have become ac-
tive for the reason outlined above. If
Senator Hale were to be defeated in
the present fight 1t is thought likely
that he would enter the lists against
Senator Fernald In 1924. but even this
nsld supporters with the apprehension
which the cry that western Maine is
hogging everything" raises.
Senator Hale II Is admitted even by
his opponents. has made an excellent
record at Washington. He is personally
popular In his party and has able lieu
tenants who are fighting in his behalf.
1t is figured that between 1000 and
81. .oc0 votes will be cast IN the June
tf,nt frat <
40. 900 of the voters will be women. The
latter arc expected to divide their al
legiance between the two candidates.
The Gubenatorial fight is between
Gov Baxter, who because he happened
to be President of tire Senate. auto
matically went into office following the
death Of Gov. Parkhurst in 1921: John
ID. Deering Of Saco and Leon +. Hig-
gins of Brewer. both Of whom also have
served in the Senate Higgins is the
only eastern man in the trio. He was
unsuccessful, however. In getting an
Endorsement from the Penobscot Re-
publican County Committee at the re-
cent State convention in Bangor.
Friends OF Gov. Baxter urge that he
is entitled to a denomination by party
usage This is denied by the Deering
and Higgins men, who say that Mr..
Baxter went into office through . po-
Etlc1l ft1kc ana lndI VI nc 1fslT'S lc
head the state ticket IN September he
should make fight for II Just as any
other man. And that Is just what he
Is doing.
The withdrawal OF John r. III. Wilson
of Auburn leaves former Attorney
General William r. Pattangall Of Au-
gusta a clear field for the Democratic
Gubernatorial nomination. and despite
the heavy Republican plurality last
candidate to be feared. Forcefui, mag
netic and adroit. dc Is a campaigner
who has few equals in New England.
Oakley G. Curtis. former Governor
and Mayor of Portland. will probably
be the Democratic nominee for the
United States Senate. 1t is believed
that either Senator Hale or Mr.. Guern-
sey can easily defeat him. But as re-
CARDS Mr.. Pattangall the Republican
that he will be defeated.