Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-15
6. 0. P. Vote Must Top
That Of Two Parties
To Be Wisconsin Test
WiIIkie Still Could Cory
State If Primary TotoI
Is Less Than Majority
BY CHARLES W. HOLMBURG,
Special CORRESPONDENT Of The Star

MADISON, Wis, Sept. 14-Wis-
consin is winding up it's primary
election race this week end with Re-
publlcanS hoping for a numerical
expression by the voters that the
State will 60 Republican Novem-
Der 5
The test will not be clear cut. how
ever, until total votes cast in the
Republican column show a majority
over both total Democratic and Pro-
gressive party tallieS. Should the
State G.. o. P be able to accomplish
this feat. in the face of what is
predicted to be strong turn out of
voters in all parties. the prediction
will be heard that Wisconsin will be
safe for Wendell l.. Willkie for Pres
ident in November.
However. should Republican totals
fall short of a majority there is still
considerable chance for MI. Willkie.
for an indeterminate number Of
Progressive party voters, opposed in
principle to the third term, will
support him. The New Deal policy
on the war. resented by group of
voters in all parties, may also de-
prive the President of some votes.
Republicans, PrOgressives Active.
Republican and Progressive candi-
dates for their parties nominations
for the governorship and senator
ship have been about neck and neck
in conducting active campaigns.
Relatively few are the villages and
crossroads that have not been visited
by seven Republican candidates for
Senator and the five Progressive
candidates for Governor.
Senator La Toilette, unopposed in
the Progressive primary for re-
election, has made several trips by
airplane to give local radio broad
casts or appear at political meetings.
Gov. Julius P. He'll, with a little
known opponent. James K. Robinson
of Milwaukee, has done practically
no primary campaigning, depending
upon Republican organization sup
port.
AS the primary draws near spec
ulation is rife on the attitude the
Roosevelt administration will take
toward the candidacy of Senator
La Toilette, and in turn what Sem
ator La Toilette will do about the
presidential campaign.
Differences Show Up.
Speeches on the war and on
American foreign policy by Senator
La Toilette in the last two weeks
indicate a wide difference from the
ideas of the President. Senator La
Toilette once criticized both PreSi-
dent Roosevelt and Mr.. Willkie as
seeing eye to eye" on the war issue.
Peel off the verbiage on their ut
terances to date and the voter can
not find a fundamental difference
between them" he said. so far as
the presidential campaign is con-
cerned, the people have been de-
prived of an effective choice"
Such statements are being inter-
preted as indicating a breach be-
tween President Roosevelt and the
La Fol!ettes that may result in the
Presidents foregoing any words OF
praise for the Senator, such as he
voiced in a Green Bay address in
1884. 1t is argued that Senator La
Toilette is facing a tougher re-
election fight. no matter who the
Republican nominee is, than at any
time in his career and needs the
support or good will of the President.
On the other hand. President Roose-
welt, if he is to carry the State. may
need the active Endorsement of La
Toilette Progressive leaders.
The campaign of Democratic can
didates for senatorial and governor
ship nominations has been a listless
affair, with candidates doing little to
attract headlines or audiences.
House Members Seem Safe.
Incumbent Republican Represen-
tatives for the most part seemed
assured of denomination, although in
several districts they faced numerous
opponents. Representative Thill OF
Milwaukee is one in a field of five
candidates, and three candidates
are seeking the G. o. P. designation
for the job of Representative Johns
Six Republican candidates are
running for the Republican NOM
ination for Congress in the 10th
district, now represented by Repre-
sentative Gehrmann, Progressive,
and three are out for the ninth
district nomination for the post now
held by Representative Hull. Mr.
Gehrmann and Mr.. Hull are un-
opposed in their own party's primary
and only one Democrat is seeking
that party's nomination in each dis
trict, so slim are the chances Of
winning in those Northern Wiscon-
sin districts.