Evening star., 1922-03-12
IS SEATSN in THE SENATE
TO FILL NEXT NOVEMBER
Twenty of Those to Become Vacant Now
Are Occupied by Republicans and
Fifteen by Democrats.


Island, New Mexico and Missouri two
years ago. In all of these states the
democrats must seek to hold their own.
On the other side of the slate the
republicans will face real contests in
New York. Indiana, Delaware. Mary
land. New Jersey, West Virginia,
North Dakota, Idaho and Massachu-
setts. This does not mean at all that
they are scheduled to be defeated in
those states. but that the democrats
will likely make strong campaigns
against the republican nominees.
* X x X
Two years ago the women in many
Of the states had just obtained the
vote. They were an unknown guam
tity to the politicians. They are still
somewhat of mystery. In many Of
the states the primaries had come
and gone before the women had the
vote. This year the women will play
their full part. 1t is to be expected
they will seek, if possible, to have
woman elected to the Senate. They
have now member of the House,
and had another member several years
ago. But woman has never yet sat
as senator of the United States.
Among the most prominent of the
republican senator's who come up for
reelection are Senator Charles E.
Townsend of Michigan, chairman of
the committee on post offices and post
roads; Senator Porter j. McCumber
of North Dakota, chairman of the
committee on finance; Senator Hiram
Johnson of California. candidate
for the republican presidential nomi-
nation two years ago; Senator la
Toilette of Wisconsin and Senator
last, by the way, is ranking member
of the Senate naval affairs commit
tee after Senator Page and Senator
Lodge, and as Chairman Page Is re-
firing from the Senate. Senator Poin-
dexter is expected to be chairman Of
that committee if reelected.
Democrats who must seek re-elec-
ton include Senator Gilbert NJ. Hitch
cock of Nebraska, ranking democratic
member Of the foreign relations COM
mittee. who conducted the fight for
the league of nations in the Senate;
Senator Swanson of Virginia and
Senator McKellar of Tennessee.
The coming elections not unlikely
will make their influence felt in the
vote on the treaties emanating from
the Washington conference, which
must be taken befs re long In the SEN
ate. There has been great wave
of public approval of the results of
the Washington conference. Senators
who must stand for reelection may
well take into consideration what
will be the effect On their personal
political fortunes should they cast
their votes against any of these pacts.
Senator McCumber, as chairman of
the finance committee, is handling
soldier bonus and tariff legislation.
He is completing his twenty-fourth
year as senator. His ability and long
have made him a valuable
member of the Senate.
Senator Townsend of Michigan has
a fine record of accomplishment be-
hind him. He has served nearly
twelve years in the Senate, and prior
to coming to the Senate he was for.
eight years a member Of the House.
The Michigan senator has been a
friend to the District Of Columbia,
voting in support Of many measures
designed to better the National Capt.
tai, 1t has been his contention that
the federal government should bear
its full share in the development of
the District.
In the House Mr.. Townsend gained
prominence by fathering a bill to
abolish railroad rebates. 1t passed
the House but failed in the Senate.
Mr.. Townsend's ideas, many OF them.
were written into the Hepburn bill
in the next Congress. He was re-
garded by many during his service
in the House as the spokesman for
President Roosevelt on railroad ques-
tions.
In the Senate Mr.. Townsend has
given much attention to railroad
matters, also serving as q member
Of the interstate commerce commit
tee. He has also fathered progressive
good roads legislation, and it was
largely due to his efforts thdt the re-
cent good roads bill was finally en-
acted.
* X X !.
Virginia has twice before elected
Senator Swanson to the Senate. The
Virginia senator is a member of the
foreign relations committee and the
naval affairs committee and has been
active in both committees. He rep
resents a state that is separated from
the District of Columbia only by the
Potomac river Many of his con-
stituents are employed in the Dis
trict. The virginian has been a con-
sistent supporter of legislation to
benefit Washington.