Evening star., 1936-11-03
CONGRESS BALLOT !
SHARING INTEREST.
Republicans Hope to Slash
Democratic Majority
' in House.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press
The election of a new Congress to
dig into q mountain of unfinished
business" shared national interest
with the presidential contest in to-
days balloting.
Republican candidates hoped to
slash away the overwhelming Demo-
cratic majority in the House of Rep
resentatives. although they had no
chance to wrest control of the Senate.
Democratic victories in 1882 and
1894 gave the party enough Senators
serving six-year terms to guarantee it
more than so of the Senate's 96 seats,
regardless of today's returns.
Thirty-five Senators will be named
today from a list of 1872 candidates Of
more than a half dozen shades of po-
6tical belief.
An unusual upset would be necessary
70 place even the House into Repub-
hcan hands, since 308 out of the 435
seats are now held by Democrats.
Republicans have 100 members, while
ProgresSives hold Z and Farmer-La-
borites 3. Seventeen seats are vacant.
Voters are choosing their new Rep
Resentatives from among 1929 aspir-
ants, including Socialists. Communists,
Prohibitionists, Progressives, Farmer
Iaborites and Christian and Union
party candidates.
Hard Work to Be Faced.
No matter what its political COM
plexion is. the next Congress will face
plenty of hard work when it convenes
january S.
Proposals for tax revision, sweeping
governmental reorganization and new
aids to agriculture are expected to
come before 1t, in addition to the
problems created by the expiration OF
= whole series of New Deal emergency
statutes.
Gubernatoral contests, closely mesh
ID in many instances with the presl-
dental campaign, command public at
tention in 80 States, where 128 candl-
dates are in the field.
Twenty-Five of the governorships at
stake are held by Democrats. apart
from IL others not involved in today's
election, New chief executives were
assured in many States, since only
~ incumbents are seeking to return.
Socialists named gubernatorial noml-
nees in 18 States, while 5 candidates
Of the Union party, II Communists. 4
Prohibitionists and others also were
on the ticket.
Nationwide attention centered on
nhe New York Governors race, where
William F. Bleakley. the Republican
nominee, is opposing Gov. Herbert H.
Lehman, candidate for reelection at
the request of Democratic party
leaders.
The electorate of 80 States were
hsked to pass upon 81 initiative and
referendum measures and 73 proposed
amendments to their constitutions,
dealing in most cases with three salient
problems-taxes, social security and
local government organization.
"a Proposed Amendments.
A variety of revenue changes, rang
ing from chain-store levieS to State
income taxation, will be approved or
rejected by 13 States, voting on "a
proposed amendments.
Eight States are balloting on nine
bocial security amendments to deter
mine whether they shall take part
In the Federal program for old-age
pensions, unemployment relief and
other benefits. This question is at
issue In South Carolina, Oregon, Ne
Tada, Louisiana, Kansas, Florida,
Washington and Colorado.
Twenty-Five measures relating to
government organization and employees
are before the citizens Of II States.
These proposals vary from Colorado
amendment to provide compulsory
bury duty for women to an Oregon sug-
gestion for eliminating compulsory
military training in institutions OF
higher learning.
The future of expiring New Deal
legislation may be largely determined
by the results of congressional contests,
regardless of the presidential election.
A keystone New Deal law, giving
1he President power to regulate the
gold content of the dollar and main
kain a -billion-dollar stabilization
fund, will lapse only 10 days after the
next Chief Executive IS inaugurated,
Nnless earlier action Is taken.
At intervals throughout the year
congress must decide whether to renew
Ytatutes governing the Reconstruction
Finance Corps power to make loans.
the functions Of the Electric Farm and
Home Authority, three-cen letter post
kge and the Presidents authority to
make reciprocal trade agreements.
A wide variety of tax laws, producing
tbout $500, 100000 year, expire dur
ing the first seven months of 1887.