The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-11-01
By GEORGE R. HOLMES
international News Service

NEW 4OASAAS ASSNs
Of outstanding national issues, yet
replete with bitter sectional con-
tests, the off-year campaign came
to a close today with the leaders
on both sides making their GUS
tonary extravagant claims of VIC
tory-and secretly hoping for the
best and fearing the worst.
Senate Control in Balance
An surface indications point to
Democratic gains in Congress.
The Democrats can hardly escape
emerging from tomorrow's bailoting
without material gains. It is the his
tory of off-year elections that the
pendulum swings away from the
party in power.
The Democrats admittedly stand
an excellent chance of capturing the
senate. There are % Republican
seats at stake. and If they can take
nine they can organize the upper
house-to the confusion of the Ad-
ministration for the next two years.
In the House. the Democrats
chances are not considered so good.
TO gain control there 1t would 5e
necessary for them to reclaim 80
seats now held by Republicans. and
even the most optimistic OF the
minority leaders privately do not
think this is probable
Is States Hold Answer
OF the. "a seats at stake tomorrow.
hut seven are Democratic. They are
All in the Solid South and can be
written off as remaining Democratic.
OF the q now left, all held by
Republicans. an even dozen are gen.
orally conceded to the Republicans
Connecticut, Wisconsin, Iowa,
Kansas, California, Vermont, New
Hampshire, Pennsylvania, North
and South Dakota and Washington
The. Is remaining are classified
Is -doubtfuT' in that the Demo-
Gratis have good or Indifferent
chances Of winning.
In five of these States Mary
land. Kentucky, Arizona, Missouri
and OkIahoma--the Democrats are
considered to have an edge. All
snerafie than Republican, and the
incnmbents are those who rode in
with Harding n the great. land
aide OF 1920
IN five others, the Republicans
are conceded to have the edge-In-
diana, Utah, Nevada. Colorado and
Idaho. These States are all nor
ma1Iy Republican.
Coolidge bets" Prestige.
Thus the fight narrows down. in
the opinion Of most neutral observ-
ers, TO a small handful of States,
Or which New York, Illinois. Mas
sachusetts and Ohio are the out
standing.
A comparison OF the privately
expressed opinions of both Repub-
Hcan and Democratic leaders shows
the concensus to be that the Demo-
Gratis viii gain probably SIX seats
IN the Senate and a dozen to fif-
teen In the House. In either case,
Il Is short OF control
President Coolidge has staked his
personal prestige upon the candidacy
OF hts friend and political manager,
Senator William NJ. Butler in Massa
chusetts. II Butler is defeated by
his Democratic opponent, Senator
David L Walsh, as many believe he
win be. 1t will be severe blow to
Mr.. Coolidge's availability" in 1928
In New York. Gov. Al Smith
has staked his Presidential aspira-
tons in 1928 upon his ability to gain
a fourth term in Albany A defeat
would admittedly remove the New
York governor from the list Of Dem
ocratic "availables."
In Maryland. Gov. Albert c.
Ritchie is again candidate and
probable winner His reelection will
definitely stamp him as a possible
Democratic Presidential nominee in
1928. his defeat similarly removes
him.
Ohio, the cockpit of so many
ganguinary political battles offers
two Presidential candidates. in Gov.
Vic Dohaney and Ex-senator Alice
Pomerene. both Democrats. Both
have figured largely in Democratic
speculation for 1928.