Evening star., 1940-02-29
Dewey, vaudenberg
Headed for Clashes
In Middle West
Wisconsin Primary
TO Be Watched With
Purticulur Interest

With their Republican colleagues
still turning verbal handsprings over
party successes In two special con-
gressional elections in Ohio. two Of
the leading G. O. P. presidential
candidates were preparing today for
head-on primary clashes in the
Middle West.
After several weeks of converse
tonal sparring by their friends and
managers, Thomas E. Dewey and
Senator Vandenberg of Michigan
were formally entered yesterday In
the Republican primary in Nebras-
h. At the same time, the Dewey
= managers put their man In the pri-
mary race in Wisconsin and q Van
dsnberg slate for this State was in
preparation in Madison.
Nebraska Test April 9.
The Nebraska test comes on April
3, one week after that in Wisconsin.
The latter, incidentally, will be
watched with particular interest
since Senator Vandenberg made a
definite bid for Wisconsin's favor
during recent trip to the Midwest
and his only formal political speech
thus far, at Minneapolis. In a de-
gree. therefore, Mr.. Dewey is walk
ing into an opponents own strong
hold for direct test of strength.
just to spice the primary news of
the last "a hours, third term dele
CATION" also was recorded in Wis
consin when another group of
friends or managers" filed a Demo-
cratic slate pledged to support Presi-
dent Roosevelt for denomination.
And in New York State, papers
were introduced in behalf of Vice
President Garner as Democratic
standard-bearer.
1886 Results Recalled.
AS the political temperature over
primary contests continued its grad
ual rise, a fashback to the effect OF
these demonstrations on the 1886
nominations reflects their lack Of
reliability as true measure of con-
vention strength. With the Demo-
cratic primaries of that year of little
importance in view of the certain
denomination of Mr.. Roosevelt, the
Republican competition resulted in
SO delegates being instructed for
Alfred M. Landon of Kansas, 68 for
Senator Borah of Idaho, 66 for Col.
Frank Knox of Chicago, and Al for
Senator Taft of Ohio. But on the
first convention ballot the delegates
voted 984 for Mr.. Landon and 10 for
Senator Borah with the other hope
fuls farther down the list.
Back on the congressional election
front, Republicans, inspired by their
Tuesday victories in the 18th and
22d Ohio districts, were looking for
ward to two other special elections.
Next Tuesday voters of the 9Th Iowa
District will choose a successor to
the late Representative Dowell, Re-
publican, and on April 9 voters of
the 1st Nebraska District will pick
successor to the late Represent
ative Heinke, Republican.
Only One Shift Since 1888.
Thus far, in eight special elections
) since 1898, an Associated Press re-
capitulation shows that Republicans
have captured five seats and Demo-
Gratis three. OF this number, how
ever, only one represented shift Of
the district from one political
column to the other; this being the
defeat of Byron B. Ashbrook, Demo-
i crat, by j. Harry McGregor, Re-
publican, in the Ohio 18th Tuesday.
The district formerly was Demo-
catic.
With Mr.. Roosevelt expected back
in Washington over the week end,
the only third-term comment of the
last "a hours came yesterday from
Senator Walsh, Democrat, of Massa-
chusetts and occasionally an op-
ponent of New Deal experiments.
Senator Walsh told reporters he
would not ''be a party to any opposi-
ton" to a third term for Mr.. Roose-
welt. He added he would support
Postmaster General Farley if he had
an opportunity, but had no intention
Of opposing the Presidents renom-
ination if by silence or otherwise he
indicates willingness to accept It,"