Evening star., 1936-08-16
DEMOCRAT CHIEFS
WATCHING MAINE
Congressional Committee
Chairman Announces Fa-
vorabIe Reports.
BY WILL P. KENNEDY.

WILL
With the first election-that In
Maine on September l4-less than a
month away, leaders on the Demo-
cratic National Senatorial and Con-
gressional Campaign Committees are
watching the progress Of the campaign
in that State more closely even than
usual.
Chairman Patrick H. Drewry Of
the congressional committee who stop
ped off at his headquarters here for
a couple of hours en- route to his
home in Petersburg. Va, has just re-
ceived what he considers very en-
couraging report from Maine.
In the first district, where Repre-
sentative Simon NJ Hamlin is seek
ing reelection, Oliver, his Republican
| opponent. has received the indorse-
ment of both the Townsendites and
the followers of Father Coughlin. 1t
is reported that while Oliver is thus
| getting the support OF some dis
gruntled Democrats, he will get luke
warm support from the conservative
| Republicans. who resent the interfer-
ence of these factions in the Maine
campaign. This mix-up is expected
to help Hamlin.
Mclean Sees Victory.
| In the second district. Ernest Nc
Lean, Augusta lawyer, running as a
Democrat to succeed Representative
Edward C. Moran, jr., reports that
! his chances are good and that he ex-
poets to win.
Mabee. Democrat, who Is the candi-
date against former Gov. Brewster in
the third district, is emphasizing the
special local interest in the Passama-
quoddy tide-harnessing project, and
the feeling against Brewster because
of his attitude on power trust con-
| troll legislation. Utterback, who for.
merly held this seat and was defeated
by a small majority in 1884. is now
United States marshal in that district
Bramm is also reported as having g
good fighting chance against Senator
Wallace H. White, jr.
Those who have made the survey
have notified headquarters that the
recent visit of President Roosevelt
in the Maine area seems to have
been helpful in stimulating Demo.
cratic interest.
Representative Sam 2ayburn Of
! Texas, who has just gone to New
York to open the speakers bureau al
national headquarters tomorrow, find.
a big demand for speakers in Maine
and generally throughout the country
Gene Tunney spoke previously in
Maine and there is call for hin
again this year. Tunney is on the list
of volunteer speakers.
Speakers are Selected.
But the Democratic strategy Is no,
to offend the Maine voters by sending
in outsiders to tell them how they
should vote. Except where there are
special requests, the speakers for Main'
are being carefully selected from
those who come from Maine or have
a good background in Maine history
Generally speaking, all those from
Maine who have good official positions
in Washington under the New Dea
administration are being accepted
for campaign service back home.
Chairman Drewry has established
headquarters in the Biltmore Hotel
He will return to New York tomorrow
to remain until after the Novembel
elections There both Chairman Far
ley of the national committee anc
Chairman Drewry of the congression
al committee are holding almost dali!
conferences with regional leaders from
various parts of the country.
The situation in Maine Is being
watched, not so much because th'
Democrats expect to win In this his
torically Republican stronghold. bu
because it is the first test Of strength
and gives line on the Republican
offensive.