The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-31

son of the late great Progr
 In the past two weeks, Bob's prospects appear to have improved, but the final outcome of the close struggle is still doubtful.
 Bob,s opponent is Fred H. Clau- sen, wealthy farm-implement mer- chant, and regular Republican, who long has been 8 LaFollette foe. Clausen, however, is not the real source of Bob's difficulties, although he is their beneficiary.
 Bob's difficulties stem from vari- ous factors unrelated to Clausen. Chief of them are:
 l. Deep seated antipathy
 toward LaFollette's glib, ambi-
 tious, younger brother Phil, twice
 governor of Wisconsin; and
 2. A strong undercurrent of
 hostility toward Bob, because
 of his extreme isolationist stand,
 among the large Scandinavian
 population which has been the
 backbone of the Progressive
 movement in the state.
 Phil LaFollette was defeated in 1888 by a wave. of resentment against him, personally, and against the peculiar National Pro- gressive Party which he launched that spring with suspiciously fas- cist trappings and theological rhetoric. Phil denied that his movement had any fascist aims, but veteran LaFollette leaders re- fused to have anything to do with it just the same. William T. Evjue, two-fisted editor of The Madison Capital Times, official daily of the LaF'ollette organiza- ,tion, openly assailed Phil and the NPP.
 This widespread feeling against Phil still is prevalent, and, curi- ously is being taken out on Bob. Definitely abetting this is the known fact that Bob is swayed po- litically by his flashy younger brother.
 PRIVATELY, Bob did not approve of the National Progress sive Party plan. But when Phil insisted on going through with it, Bob did not demur.
 Bob may yet skin through the election on November 5, but if he does he'll know he has been through the toughest fight of his fifteen-year senatorial career. DOUBTFUL INDIANA
 In one particular the Democra- tic campaign in Indiana differs from that of any other state in the Middle West.
 Here the Democrats have real go-getting state organization. It is on its toes. And it is fighting militantly for the national and state ticket against concededly tough odds.
 Credit for this belongs largely to Chairman Fred Bays. One of the most colorfuI figures in American politics. Handsome, dapper and dynamic, Bays is a former snowman and circus own CT, who applies to the political arena all the hoopIa and zing necessary to his former profess sion.
 Bays basic belief is that the way to win votes is to entertain folks. He turns the hustings with troupe of circus and vaudeville performers whom he carefully re- To IrA skAr script for the half-hour barn dance Which he stages and broad casts wiht a cast of sixty-five. Tickets, given away free, are at a premium.
 Bays shows go off like clock work. Several hours before per- formance, the ornately painted truck of the State Committee pulls up, a crew of decorators with bunting, pictures and sound equip ment takes charge of the hall, and the actors go through re- hearsal. On the dot of schedule the shows opens. Bays makes a brief political talk and the per- formance begins, closing with a boy soprano singing God Bless AmericaD." That VOWS them.
 Bays drive and talents so im- Henry Wallace, when he campaigned in Indiana. that he tried to get the ex-circus man to manage his own campaign. In fact, Bays has attracted the att tentiOn of Roosevelt and other leading Democrats who are not averse to naming him as successor to National Chairman Ed Flynn if and when Ed steps out after the election.
 ROOSEVELT BORROWS
 The other day Postmaster Gen. eral Frank Walker called at the
 
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