Evening star., 1942-11-01
Townsend Predicts
Republican Gain Of
Seven Senate Seats
Democratic Majority
Will Not Be Lessened,
Guffey Asserts
By ]. A. O'LEARY.


A gain of seven Senate seats Dy
the Republicans in Tuesdays elec-
tions was predicted last night by
former Senator Townsend OF Dela-
ware, chairman of the Republican
Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Senator GufTey of Pennsylvania,
chairman of the Democratic Sen
atorial Campaign Committee, coun-
tered with the assertion, "The DEM
ocratic majority will not be less
ened by the result of the election" ;"
The prediction of Mr.. Townsend
was contained in this brief COM
ment:
From a national survey, I am
advised there is a strong Republl-
can trend. 1t is my opinion that
the Republican membership OF tne {,
Senate will be increased by seven. .
The Senate now is composed OF
65 Democrats, 20 Republicans, i
Independent and l Progressive. IL
the Republican claims should pe
borne out, they would have SO IN
the Senate, still leaving the Demo-
Gratis with So, even if all the changes
involved seats now held by Demo-
Gratis.
This years list of senatorial con-
tests, however, includes the spirited,
three-cornered race in Nebraska, IN
which the veteran Independent,
Senator Norris, is battling for re-
election against Republican and
a Democrat. While the outcome OF
the Nebraska election might affect
slightly the exact ratio between the
two major parties in the Senate,
the reelection of Senator Norris
would be tantamount to an admin
istration victory.
COP Counting on West.
Mr.. Townsend did not mention
States in which he believes Repub-
licans will unseat Democrats, but 1t
is known that other COP officials
are counting on possible gains IN
seven or eight Western States.
There are "a Senate seats at stake
this year-two more than the reg
ular one third of the membership
because of uneXpired terms to be
filled in Colorado and Nevada
Maine. however, settled one con-
test in September by re-electing
Senator White, Republican.
OF the remaining 33 Senate seats
to be voted on, "a are now held by
Democrats, 8 by Republicans and l
Independent. Thus the Democrats
have far more at stake.
In a statement appealing for the
election of supporters of President
Roosevelt Senator Guffey last night
declared:
THE debacle in the Senate after
the last war should be remembered
and there should be no repetition
Of that calamity. The depletion anc
lack of maintenance of the Navy
between the years of 1920 and 1885,
was deplorable and only by the en-
ergy and insistence of Presiden
Roosevelt was this condition re-
versed. Faithful defenders OF worle
peace should be elected to support
President Roosevelt. The people viii
not, in my opinion, imperll the Ma
tion's security by voting agalns
President Roosevelt's policies. 'Si' -
Trying to find men of greater
strength than the Presidents party
supporters is more futile than seek
ing the pot of gold at the end o:
the rainbow. -
THE voice of America is the Con
gress. It is the nearest expression
of the peoples wishes, desires ane
commands. The casting of a vot'
for a Senator or Representative
should be a compelling action. Fail
ure to vote, if registered, is negli
gence of the full duty of citizenship
If the younger men of our countr.
are on the firing line, young Womel
in active war service, the rest OF us
to say the least, can perform tn
patriotic action of voting for mem
bers of Congress that will supper
the President in time of war"
Trends Since 1882 Cited.
Before the 1882 election the Re
publicans held control of the Sen
ate by the margin of 48 to At, will
l Farmer-Laborite. In the Roose
velt sweep of that year the rati
changed to 60 Democrats and IS Re
publicans. The New Deal sWin
continued over a six-year perioc
until in the spring of 1888, tn
Democrats held II Senate seats t.
IS Republicans and others. Tn
pendulum began to swing the othe
way in 194O when the ratio wen
| hock tn 80 Democrats and q Re