Evening star., 1940-09-08
6. 0. P, in Wisconsin
Fears Utility Label,
But Expects Gains
Thinks Democrats
Hove Hindronee Rather
Than Help in Wallace
BY CHARLES w. HoLMBURG.

BY CHARLES w. HOLMBURG,
Special Correspondent Of The star.
MADISON, Wis, Sept. wis
consin Republicans. confident they
can carry this State for Wendell L.
Willkie in November. are devoting
their energies at present to lam
basting each other In hot primary
contests. to be decided September II.
In the old days the Republican
nomination In Wisconsin was tan.
tamount to election and the scrap
then was between the stalwart or
conservative faction and the La
Toilette Progressive Republicans.
Since the La Toilette brothers, in
1884, broke cleanly with the party
their father. Old Bob, followed all
his life, the battle royal has been
with the Progressive party, with
Democrats running poor third in
State elections.
The Democratic ranks nationally
however. have been strengthened
by the Progressive party vote, which
enabled President Roosevelt to car
ry this State in 1885 by an unpre-
cedented majority. This year. with
things none too chummy between
the La Follettes and the New Deal,
particularly on foreign policy and
the war, Republicans expect many
desertions of the Roosevelt standard
by Progressives.
G. o. p. Fears Utility Issue.
The utility tag is the only buga-
boo of the Willkie candidacy for
State Republicans. Wisconsin has
always been acutely conscious of the
utility issue-has had it drummed
in the ears of the voters by the
La Follettes, father and sons. The
Republicans are hoping Mr.. Willkie
stays away from discussion of power
programs when he comes to Wis
consin later this fall.
The Republican leadership is sure.
however, that the vice-presidential
choice Of Henry Wallace is going to
prove . hindrance rather than q
help to the candidacy Of President
Roosevelt in Wisconsin. Wisconsin
farmers, they say, have never been
enthusiastic over the deeds Of the
Secretary Of Agriculture and his
Endorsement Of reciprocal tariffs is
expected to react unfavorably at the
polls.
On the other hand, what Demo-
cratic activity there is now is stress
ing the claim that, as time passes
between now and November, the
Willkie strength will wane.
Senatorship Race Hot.
The big time political blitzkrieg-
Ing in Republican ranks is taking
place in the contest for the senator
ship nomination, the winner to take
on the Progressive party incumbent,
Senator La Toilette.
Seven vigorous gentlemen, all
rather well-known to their party
and the State. are involved. Grab
bing the most headlines because of
his multiple daily speaking appear
ances Is DR.. Glenn Frank, whom the
La Toilette faction ousted from the
presidency Of the University of Wis
consin two years ago. The formerly
dapper DR.. Frank, without spats
and In a suit that often needs a
press, Is familiar sight at country
cross roads, praising Mr willkie and
condemning the New Deal along
with the La Follettes, who until
recently have given 1t warm sup
port.
Equal to DR.. Frank In getting
his name before the voters is Fred
H. Clausen, Horizon manufacturer,
also q stallnch booster for Mr..
Willkie and q foe of the New Dekl.
He, too. has known national prom
tnence as president of the United
States Chamber of Commerce. A
few observers are predicting him
as an easy primary winner.
Field May Hold Surprises.
The rest of the field, which may
produce some surprises when the
votes are totaled, consists of Reuben
w. Peterson, public service COM
missioner on leave, william c. Mas,
until recently a secretary of Gov.
Julius p He'll, Walter B. Chilsen,
active editor of the Merrill Daily
Eerald, and John P. Koehler, Mil
waukee physician.
Gov. He'll has only nominal
opposition in the primary, and is
asking voters to return him to
ONCE over unknown Progressive and
Democratic nominees SO he can
complete the work that I have
started" Along with the candidates
for Senate, Gov. He'll is putting in
many q lick for Mr.. Willkie In his
A~,,s A,,siv.S