Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-02
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

Republican control of Congress IS
threatened in Tuesdays election, with
depression and prohibition the chief
contributing factors.
Democrats are due to make heavy
inroads into big Republican majorities
In both House and Senate
While these Democratic gains are to
be large, there appears to be only
possibility, not a probability, that a
clear majority will be obtained by the
Democrats in either House of Congress.
Owing to assortment because of eco
nomic conditions in the country, how
ever. the swing to the Democrats may
yet assume landslide proportions. If 1t
does, possibility will become an accom-
plished fact. The Republican majority
In the House will be wiped out. A
Democratic majority in the Senate Is
o more remote possibility than Demo-
cratic majority in the House.
Controlled Since 1918.
Control of both houses of Congress
has rested with the Republicans since
the election of 1918, the midway point
In the last presidential term of Presi-
dent Woodrow wilson. In the present
Congress, although the Republicans
nominally have II more Senate seats
than the Democrats, q coalition" of
Republican insurgents and Democrats
sought to prevent the adoption Of ad
ministration measures. The huge lead
of the Republicans in the House. 103,
however, has made 1t possible for Presi-
dent Hoover to have his way in major
issues.
The election two days hence promises
TO be of far greater import than the
usual of year" election, coming in the
midst of the presidential term. Bound
up in it are the probable political for
tunes of leaders of both the major
parties The election, too, Is expected
TO give impetus to the drive to do away
with national prohibition as it now
exists, or to throw wet blanket on
the hopes of the -prohihitionists
Election of a Democratic House or
Senate, or both, would be regarded as
O Reputation" of the Hoover admins
tration. Certainly it would make the
Presidents legislative program more
&ificult of accomplishment than ever.
IN the two remaining years Of his term,
kowever, President Hoover, no matter
Shat happens on Tuesday, may attain
d more commanding position, especially
U economic conditions should improve.
Soreness Counted Upon.
The extent of the protest against
hard times cannot be gagged with exact
ness. Democratic candidates for the
House and Senate are expected to ben
eft greatly by this protest vote. 1t Is
n secret that they are counting on the
soreness Of the voters to bring Demo-
cratic victory.
Co-existent with the struggle between
- n - 1Aa na,,a01rafin
for control of Congress is the struggle
between the vets and the drys. the
prohibitionistS and the supporters OF
repeal of the national dry laws.
The cause of both the Democrats and
the vets has been aided this year by
the business depression. In almost
every State and congressional district
where a wet and dry fight exists this
year, the Democratic candidate Is car
rying the wet standard. notable ex-
ception TO this rule is found. however
in Montana. where Senator Thomas j
Walsh, Democrat and dry, is opposed by
Judge Albert J. Galen, Republican and
wet without the aid given by depres-
sion, the Democrats in these wet and
cause lose with them. For example. II
It were not for business depression and
its accompanying unemployment prob
lem. Robert j. Buckley. Democratic can
didate for Senator in Ohio. who has an
nounced for repeal Of the eighteenth
amendment. would stand no show fol
election there. His victory will be hailed
rs victory for the wet cause, however
Depression and the prohibition issue are
going hand in hand to elect candidates
for ONCE this year.
Vets 70 Make Gains.
The -prohibitionists are due to
make gains in both the House and Sen
ate. Already the vets have gained In
a number of districts where anti-prohi-
bition candidates have been nominated
over drys. In other districts wet can
didates are expected to defeat theil
dry opponents. But the drys will con
tinue to have big majorities in botf
House and Senate in the next Congress
The Democrats have sought to maxi
the tariff, farm relief and waterpowe
their campaign issues against the Re
publicans. The Republicans have &C
cepted all these issues and have gon'
TO the mat on them. They may anec
some votes. But in the main the grea
determining issues will be those OF hare
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