The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-26

SMALL ,., A tenants who could be in position to take up the work where he left off and keep the same organization to- gether.
 The hope of the democrats natural Iy lies in the differences they feel are developing among the factions or the republican party. Ordinarily talk or turning Pennsylvania into the demo- crat column, even in an off year would be regarded as synonymous to selling strange coals in Newcastle, but the double blows the republicans received in the deaths of Knox and Penrose unquestionably was severe enough to leave the party in more or less of a groggy condition.
 Has National Aspect
 The Pennsylvania situation has a national aspect in that it has been one of the last states to remain under individual control. The whole coun- try is watching to see what will hap pen in Pennsylvania with the old leadership gone. The democrats pro fess to see in the situation distinct trend in their direction. They de- clare it is just as essential to break the tradition of republication in Pennsylvania as.it is to break the tra- dition of democracy in the south. This break can come only through a seri- ous division in republican ranks.
 It would be the height of folly for republicans to think that the demo- crats are not earnest in their deter imitation to make serious inroads into the republican strongholds of Penn sylvania. This not only applies to the senatorships, but to the contests in many of the congressional dis trcts
 The democrats have decided to make some of their most strenuous drives this yea. in the very heart fof republieanism. The result of the spe- Gial congressional election in Maine was not overwhelmingly encouraging 10 the democrats. but there was a distinct percentage of gain and to this extent the democrats feel they have more to point to with pride than the republicans, although the latter insist there is nothing in the Maine contest to view with alarm.
 Studying Charges
 Democratic senators are keeping In close touch with the charges and counter charges which are marking the senatorial contest in the eastern end of Pennsylvania. It seems taken for granted here that Senator George Wharton Pepper, recently appointed by Governor Sproul. will have an easy victory in the May primaries so far as the eastern senatorship is con- cerled but as viewed from Washing toa there is a distinct political mud de in the west.
 Reports of vast deals" in western Pennsylvania involving large sums of money have been brought to demo- cratic headquarters in Washington, and the democrats naturally are hop ing that these deals are true.
 "In view of all the charges which have been published" warned Sena- tor Pat Harrson, of Mississippi, poli- tical leader of the minority in the Senate, today, it would seem that an investigation may be demanded if any of these deals are put through. We want no more Newberryism ln the Senate"
 There is no doubt here that Penn sylvanfa is going through a remark able political metamorphosis. The voters of the state are preparing to assert themselves at the polls as they have not done for years. Some of the older school of politicians still are boosting of having so many hundred thousands of votes lin their pock cts but with the old dynasty of lead : ership gone there is no telling what may happen.
 Pennsylvania Is a political enigma today. New and strange forces are working in the state and strange hopes are being borne in democratic breasts.