The Daily Alaska empire., 1928-01-28
LEGAL TANGLE TN HICKMAN TRIA
Political Actiuity Gro,us
 As Primary Filing Period
 Wanes;Many Contests Loom

With the final date for filing declarations of candidacy for the primary elections but ten days distant, political activity in .lll four Divisions is increasing, ae- cording to reports received here by local party men. Indications point, it is said, to an unusually large number of candidates in the field in some of the Divisions.
 The primary filings are rs. quired tp have been made by ths first Tuesday in February. Tho primary elections are held on the last Tuesday in April.
 Contest by Republicans
 Apparently the contests for Ter ritorial offices, and possibly, also, for Divisional posts, will cente~ mainly in the Republican primary. It is not believed likely that George B. Grigsby and Judge James Truitt, endorsed by the Democrats for Delegate and Attoi ney General respectively, will have any opposition in the pri- mary.
 On tho other hand there are al ready two aspirants in the field for those offices in the Repub.i- can ranks. Delegate Sutherland is being opposed for renominatioa ! by Senator Bartley Howard of An chorage. and ]. l.. Waller. An chorage attorney, is opposing A. torney General Rustgard for that office. It is not believed hafe there will be any other filings for either r< Zee.
 A similar state of affairs IS pre- dicted for party offices. In the Democratic ranks harmony appar- ently prevails over the selection of National Committeeman and delegates and alternates to the National Convention. There will be considerable competition in the Republican primary for these pa sitions in their party. None of the Democratic filings have beea made, but the candidates endorsed by the Territorial convention are preparing their declarations for filing at an early date
 Fight Over Committeeman A three-cornered fight is expect ed to develop over the Republican National Committeeman. The only filing actually made is that of Senator Frank A. Aldrich. But it is expected that two other can didates will be in the field befora the filing period ends. Major G. W. Albrecht, said to have the support of the Sutherland faction, Is regarded as virtually certain .o | enter the race. Capt. Austin E. Lathrop. moving picture theatre owner and coal mine operator, .s known to be considering filing a. the request of friends in the Third. Fourth and First Divisions He is expected to make known his decision before the end of this week.
 A fight has also developed for seats in the National Convention. There are four candidates in the field for the two delegateships and more are almost sure to en- l ter the race. Only one alternate candidate has appeared but others are expected. w. H. Caswell, Sitka, Judge James Wickersham. Dr. w. H. Chase. of Cordova, and Gus Gelles of Anchorage. filed for delegates, and Judge l.. K. Pratt pioneer Fairbanks attorney, is ex- pected to file.
 l Third Division Leads For legislative positions, the Third Division leads in the mum Der of candidates who have filed although it seems that both par ties will have full tickets in the field in every Division for the Fall elections. Few contests are looked for in the Democratic prl- mary for these offices, but there are many aspirants showing up in some sections for places on the Republican ticket The absence of contests among the Democrats is largely accounted for by the fact that in each Division the party has held convention and worked out program for the party that has been generally ap- proved by the rank and file of the party as well as its leaders The Republicans failed to hold any conventions.
 First Division Lineup In the First Division. it is IL ported the Democrats will put x.. H. Zeigler. prominent Ketchikan lawyer, up for the Senate. Pos sible candidates for the House of Representatives discussed fnclud- ed N R. Walker and w. L. Martin (continued on Page Eight.l