Evening star., 1938-05-02
26CONCRESSMEN
WAIT JUDGMENT
20 Representatives, Three
Senators Before Voters
in Four States.
BY the Associated Press.


Twenty-six Democratic members Of
Congress, some for and some against
the Roosevelt administration, made
last-minute appeals to their party
members in four States today for re-
nomination in tomorrow's primary
elections.
Three Senators and % Representa-
tives sought party support in Indiana,
Alabama, South Dakota and Florida.
Failure to win would mean they either
would have to run as independents in
the November elections or relinquish
hope Of another term.
Republicans will hold primaries at
the same time, but only two Of their
House seats are involved-those to
which Representatives Case Of South
Dakota and Halleck OF Indiana seek
denomination.
In some. districts, the Democratic
vote will afford the first test of admin
istration strength since the party's
overwhelming victory in 1886. In
others, local issues predominant.
Observers agreed that the Demo-
cratic struggle in Florida was tomor-
rows outstanding race from a national
viewpoint. A record vote was predicted
in the spirited five-man contest.
Vote Estimate Is 400, 900.
Senator Claude Pepper, seeking re-
nomination; former Gov. Dave Sholtz,
Representative j. Mark Wilcox and
Finley Moore planned election-eve ad-
dresses in Miami. T. C. Merchant
scheduled an appearance at Talla-
hassee.
Estimates Of the vote tomorrow
ranged from 100000 to 50,OO0. The
record turnout was 1928, 900 in 1896.
Senator Pepper. who has empha-
sized his loyalty to President Roose-
welt and the New Deal, said yesterday
at West Palm Beach the voters will
decide whether their representative
in the United States Senate is to
serve their cause or that Of the selfish
interests"
He described as smoke screen"
charges by both Mr.. Wilcox and Mr..
Sholtz that w. P. A. rolls were being
filled with Pepper workers.
Mr.. Sholtz, who has appealed for
votes chiefly on his record as Gov
ernor, asserted not only had the
w. P. A. been used as vehicle to in
timidate workers, but it also had been
employed to fool the old people of
Florida into indorsing the junior SEN
ator tPepper) as a Townsend candi-
date"
Mr.. Wilcox, in West Palm Beach
yesterday, promised a congressional
investigation Of the w. P. A. and
asserted the inquiry will be no white
wash" He said his first act on re-
turning to Washington would be to
call for a searching investigation of
the whole rotten mess"
Mr.. Moore. who advocates immi-
grafton restrictions, asked an amend
ment to the Constitution to provide
that only "a white native born citi-
zen Of the United Staes" be per-
mited to hold a national ofice or
appointment.
Mr. Merchant said he favored q
sound, business-like government, and
. referendum before this Nation en-
gagged in war except in self-defense.
In Alabama, Senator Hill is un-
opposed for the Democratic nomina-
ton to succeed himself. All the
States nine Representatives are out
for Democratic denomination.
The senatorial race in South Dakota
where Senator Hitchcock is seeking
denomination, lured Representative
Fred H. Hildebrandt to forsake his
House seat for a try at the Senate.
senator Hitchcock also is opposed by
former Gov. Tom Berry. All three
profess support of the administra ton
Sharing interest with the Democratic
race is the Republican contest for the
senatorial nomination. There are four
candidates, including Gov. Leslie
Jensen.
In Indiana 10 Representatives are
in the Democratic primary and one,
Charles A. Halleck. in the Republican
contest. The twelfth Indiana House
member, Samuel B. Pettengill, is
voluntarily retiring to return to private
law practice.
Contests Of Indiana's senatoria!
nominees will be settled at State con-
ventionS in June.