Evening star., 1936-07-19
.DEM0CRATSPLAN
FIGHT TINM|CH|GAN
Representative Brown and
Murphy Make Sacrifices
for Party.
BY WILL P. KENNEDY.

The announcement by Representa-
tive Prentiss M. Brown of st. Ignace,
one of the leading lawyers OF North
ern Michigan, that he will be
candidate for the Senate, opposing
Senator James Couzens. following
closely the decision of Frank Murphy
to resign as high commissioner OF
the Philippines to run for Governor
Of Michigan, indicates a strong ad-
ministration fight for control in that
State, now regarded by observers as
doubtful
Brown has been rated as one of
the ablest of the new Democrats In
the House, was selected as men,
ber of the special committee on re-
organization of the executive depart
ments, and is the first Democrat to
represent his eleventh district in the
House. This district Is normally
strongly Republican.
Both Murphy and Brown were
hand-picked by Campaign Manager
Farley and yielded to his insistence
and that of other administration
leaders. Brown was virtually assured
of reelection to the House.
Nomination Certain.
1t is a certainty that Brown will
get the Democratic nomination. The
two opposing candidates in the
Democratic primaries, Prof. Peikins
and Louis Ward. formerly representa-
tive Of Father Charles E. Coughlin in
Washington, will not be serious
threats, according to those who know
the situation.
Browns real fight will come in No.
vember, when he will be pitted against
either former Gov Wilbur M. Brucker
or Senator Couzens. Observers be-
lieve it will be Couzens, but several
cross s-currents are at work. First,
there is the report that Couzens does
not stand well right now with the
Republican party in Michigan. He
has not attended the party councils
or conventions and has always played
a lone hand. AS matter OF fact,
the Michigan Democrats in conven-
tion at Grand Rapids last May in
dorsed him for the Senate and 1t Is
understood that Democratic officials
with authority attempted to get him
to run on the Democratic ticket this
year. Couzens has supported many
New Deal measures.
In his customary determined way
SEM tor CouZens rejected the Demo-
cratic overtures and announced he
would run on the Republican ticket.
Has Shaped Organization.
Brucker has been swinging around
the State in recent weeks with State
officials, including Gov. Frank Fltz-
gerald. and has been shaping up an
active organization. Brucker is an
ex-service man and former State
commander Of the American Legion.
He would have good support from the
veterans. He is also supported by the
old line. regular Republicans
Should Brucker get the nomination
from the veteran Senator Couzens, the
going would probably be easier Tor
Brown because it is generally conceded
that Couzens will throw his strength
to Brown as against Brucker, after the
primary.
If. however, CouzenS wins the noml-
nation, Brown will have to muster nus
own following and look TO the admin
istration to throw its full support into
the fight in an effort to wrest the anu
Couzens Republican vote.
Both Murphy and Brown have made
personal and political sacrifices Tor
the national ticket in entering the
Michigan fight. But Murphy has the
advantage of being able to go back
to his $4,000 post in the Philippines
should he be defeated. Brown, on
the other hand. would have to pick
I'D his law practice. He is one OF
the leading attorneys and bankers IN
the Upper Peninsula. He IS chair
man of the State Board Of Law Ex-
aminers. He was chairman OF the
Democratic State conventions in 1924,
1882 and 1884 Besides being presi-
dent of his home town national bank,
he is president of several important
industrial concerns.