The Washington times., 1922-08-01
VOTERS IN FIVE
STATES BALLOT
ON MANY ISSUES
Chief Interest Shown in Mis-
souri, Where Wisconsin Is
On Trial Today.
BY GEORGE r. HOLMES,
Interim tIonal News Service.


to the polls today to decide pri-
mary contests that are expected
TO afford the most Illuminating
cross-country insight into the po-
litical temper of the country since
the great avalanche of 1920.
Almost every kind of fight
and every kind of an issue is
bound up in some way in today's
contests in Missouri, Kansas,
West Virginia, Oklahoma, and
Virginia. In Missouri it is viii
sonism and the League Of Ma
tions all over again; in Oklahoma
it is the Ku Klux Klan; in Kan
sas it is the industrial court; in
West Virginia it is a partisan
battle between the Republicans
and "a woman fight" among the
Democrats. Only in Virginia is
there a semblance of quietude.
Reed Fight Accute.
Overshadowing all else in point OF
political Importance as we'll as in
popular interest is the spectacular
fight between Senator Jim" Reed
and Breckenridge Long for the
Democratic Senatorial nomination in
Missouri. 1t was described by one
political sage of the capital today
az the political catch-as-catch-c can
Of the decade"
The issue in Missouri today Is gen,
orally accepted by political leaders
Of both parties in Washington as
rising far above the Senatorial nom
ination involved. On the decision
made by Missouri Democrats todty y
rests, to a large degree. the future
political influence OF Woodrow Viii
son, and politicians Of all shades OF
opinion, with an eye to 1924. are
watching Missouri today with an
interest seldom witnessed in off
year primary contests.
II Senator Reed Ia renominated by
the Democrats of Missouri, his vic,
tory will be accepted generally by
political leaders as proof positive
that the political temper Of the
country is still set against the
League of Nations and the Wilson.
ian principles which were so soundiy
trouneed in 1920.
Mr.. Wilson himself, from his quiet
seClusion in street, has made the
issue. Three times during this cam
paign the former President las
emerged from the shell of his Sc
Clusion to strike at his old enemy
Senator Reed, and to exhort the
Missouri Democracy to turn away
from him. Once the former Presi,
dent scathinglg characterized Sena
tor Reed as incapable OF sustained
allegiance to any man or any cause;
again he advised n doubtful candi
date to stay out OF the Missouri race
so as not TO becloud the clear-cut
issue OF Reed against Long.
No one in Washington Is watch
ing with keener interest today than
Woodrow Wilson the outcome OF
MisSouri's internecine strife.
The Republicans are watching the
battle with satisfaction, figuring
that the Democratic party in Mis-
souri, will be so badly split either
way II goes that II will be possible
for a second Republican Senator &c
come to Washington next November
Only State Issues.
In Oklahoma and Kansas the con.
tests today are principally confined
10 the States themselves, although
the issues involved are likely to ap,
pear in the fall election. and are be
ing watched in that respect In Ok
lahoma the issue has been drawn be-
tween the klan and its opponents
in Kansas, State fight is being con
Quoted on Gov. Henry J. Aliens in
dustrial court-the great judicio
economic experiment of the decade
The outcome in Kansas is expected
to reveal whether the people want
compulsory arbitration in industrial
disputes.
In West Virginia, Senator How
ard Sutherland, Republican, is op
posed by half a dozen candidates, the
most dangerous OF whom Is consid
cred to be II. c. Ogden, Wheeling
publisher. In Washington. II is gen
orally believed Sutherland will be re
nominated, II only for the reason that
his opposition is so badly divided
among the six candidates.
The political fortunes of two WON
en- are also involved in today's prim
aries-"Aunt Alice" Robertson's in
Oklahoma. and Mrs. Izetta jewel
Browns In West Virginia. Miss Rob
ertson, the only woman member OF
the present Congress, is seeking re
nomination as a Republican from the
Second district of Oklahoma. Mrs
Brown, a former actress and a noted
speaker. is seeking the Democratic
domination for Senator from West
Virginia. She Is opposed by former
CONGRESSMAN NJ. NJ. Nicely.
Virginia, the birthplace Of Demo
cratic Presidents, affords the only
quiet spot In a hectic political day
Senator Claude Swanson is a candi
date for denomination. He has some
opposition from former Gov. West
moreland Davis, but is expected tc
/ be renominated without difficulty
and a Democratic nomination in Vir
ginia is equivalent>to election.