Evening star., 1938-10-15
WASHINGTON D. c, SATURDAY
KEYSTONE c. 0. P.
HOPES FOR GAINS
Party Held Sure to Add IL
House Seats, Possibly
Is, in Elections.
This is the sepenth in a series OF
articles dnalysing the Republican
driUe to regain House seats.

articles dnalysing the Republican
driDe to regain House seats.
BY WILL p. KENNEDY,
Star Stan Correspondent.
HARRISBURG, Pa, Oct. 15.-The
optimistic report that up to 26 seats
in Congress- would be won from the
Democrats in this Keystone State
for the Republican drive is not borne
out by an independent non-partisan
survey
As a matter Of fact, no responsible
Republican leader could be found who
would confirm such a prediction. But
they do say invariably that if Superior
Court Judge Arthur H. James, Re-
publican gubernatorial nominee, car
ries through as they expect, if the
sores Of old primary fights among the
Democrats persist; If the "whitewash"
scandal in this capital city is permitted
to come out before election-thsn a
strong Republican delegation in Con-
gress may be expected.
So much for ''ifs'-but the man
in the street doesn't take any great
Exchanging interest in political
scandals, especially in this State, be-
cause both parties have had them
The voters have become accustomed
to them shortly before elections.
Labor Is Democratic.
Organized labor is going Demo-
cratic-both the A. F. of L. and the
C. l. o. Certain foreign groups and
an amazing increase in Silver Shirts
are causing local turmoil and upsets.
From the Republican standpoint the
deciding factor will be the vote Of the
dissatisfied middle class, which is
growing resentf'll about huge expendi-
lures of money and the social security
set-up with resultant increase in taxa
ton.
The thrifty people. especially in the
rural sections, are giving voice to their
feelings that loans or grants of mill
lions from the Federal Treasury for
public works they do not need, and
much Of which is wasted, can come
eventually from nowhere else but the
sweat Of their brow and deprivation.
That is the revival of the old Calvin
Coolidge spirit Of thrift that can be
heard all over the State.
The State capital scandals now be-
ing investigated. or "Whitewashed." as
Republican leaders charge. have not
Mortified" the Republican leaders any
more than the sudden, unheralded
throwing of New Deal funds in the
before election. increasing the w. p.
A. job holders. who are expected to
vote the straight Democratic ticket
on election day. to an army of 285 900
and offering s6l 100000 Of. Federal
funds for tunnel highway, called
dream" highway, 162 miles from
here to Pittsburgh. That's in a
class with the two Maryland bridges
suddenly approved during the Tydings
purge" said one Of the most promi-
nent Republicans in the State.
New Dealers Confident.
That's what you find here at the
State capital in talks with leaders
from all over the State and Of both
ma jor parties-Republican Mortified"
and hopeful. Democrats gleeful and
confident
The independent Statewide canvas
shows that the Republicans are pretty
certain to pick up IL seats in Penn
sylvania and possibly Is unless =
swing that has not yet started devel-
ops Two Of the expected Republican
gains in Congress are to come from
the central belt from north to south
along the Susquehanna River. These
% counties comprise five congressional
districts. in only one Of which a
Democrat is expected to be elected
Representative Harry L. Haines. who
won two years ago with q majority
of more than 1900 votes.
The probable Republican gains in
delphia, three of four in the eastern
section, two or three in the western
section and two in the central sec
ton. The Republicans now have
seven seats in Congress out of "a in
the State delegation. No Republic
an seat Is seriously threatened. So
there is a chance that the Republic
ans may gain majority in the dele
CATION, but the surer prospect is that
they will have l9 out of "a.
pennsylvania will vote notable
increase in her Republican represen-
tation in Congress this year." said
Representative J. Will Otter, vice
chairman Of the Republican Congress
sional Committee, after a county-by-
county survey for six weeks. He re-
ports that he found throughout the
State militant spirit and robust
confidence among the rank and file OF
the Republican party"
"The party organizations in the
counties" he said, have accomplished
their registration work in splendid
shape. Latest figures from the poll
books show majority enrolment OF
Republicans in 49 of Pennsylvania 81
counties. This Is the principal rea-
son why the national leaders Of the
Democratic Party have abandoned
Pennsylvania, as confirmed in news
reports from Hyde Park. The new
spirit Of aggressive unity in our ranks
signalizes splendid victory for the
Republican State ticket, headed by
Judge Arthur H. James"
Findings by Districts.
Here are the findings by districts In
the central section:
In the 10th, which comprises six
counties in the north-central area
Cameron, Clinton, Lycoming, Mexican,
Potter and Tioga-with population
of nearly a quarter of million. Rep
resentative Robert F. Rich (Republi-
CAM will be reelected for his sixth
consecutive term. He won two years
ago by less than 5000 votes. He Is
opposed by Paul A. Rothfuss Demo-
craft of Williamsport.
In the 18th district, comprising
the eight counties Of Bedford, Full
tcn Huntinpdon JuniatA, Mmin,