Evening star., 1942-03-27
War Plays Big Role
In Election Issues
OF Eastern Section
Pennsylvania, New York
Show Exception to
Introstote Apothy
BY the Associated Press.

lntrustote Apathy
BY the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, March 27.-It's
politics as scheduled-this being an
election year-but not politics as
usual in the Nations populous
Eastern States. And here's why:
Regardless of how the politicians
feel about it, the celebrates re-
action in most of the East ranges
from mild interest to downright
apathy so far as the usual local and
domestic issues are involved. The
voters are concerned primarily with
the successful prosecution of the
war.
There are several significant ex-
ceptions, these being in New York
and Pennsylvania, where contests for
Governor are raising the political
temperature, and in West Virginia,
where election of a United States
Senator is causing the commotion.
The Eastern area-New York,
Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Con-
necticut, Maryland, Maine, New
Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts,,
New Jersey, Rhode Island and Della
ware-Will elect seven United States
Senators, seven Governors and 1856
members of the House of Repre-
sentatives.
Look Into Defense Votes.
AS for other issues:
The farm question has concerned
the region only slightly.
Outside of a few areas, the furore
over congressional pensions has sub
sided.
The public generally appears to
have lost interest except where the
local and domestic issues are tied in
with the war effort, taxes, cost Of
living and other war r-created factors
directly affecting the individual.
There appears, too, to be gen.
eral inclination to examine the vot-
ing records of members of Con-
gress on the war effort, particularly
before Pearl Harbor. Those who
supported President Roosevelt's for
eign policies before Pearl Harbor ap-
pear to have strengthened their po-
sitionS with the voters, regardless Of
party.
In New York, President Roose-
velt's home State, however, the SEN
timent for elections and "construc-
tive" politics and criticism is much
alive. The activities of two national
Republican leaders, Wendell L. Will
kie and Thomas E. Dewey, will be
closely watched with an eye on the
presidential campaign two years
hence.
Lehman May Run Again.
Mr.. Dewey, it IS generally con-
ceded, can have the Republican
nomination for Governor if he wants
it. Democratic Gov. Lehman. be-
cause OF the war emergency, may
stand for reelection again.
II he does not, the Democrats are
looking to 1t. Gov Poletti, State At
torney General John j. Bennett, jr.,
and State Chairman James A. Far
ley. Mr.. Farley has indicated Mr..
Bennett is his choice if Gov. Leh-
man does not run again, but his
friends are hopeful he CFarley) will
run.
Mr.. WILLKIE has indicated he
does not want the governorship.
In Pennsylvania both major par
ties are embroiled in a four-way
fight for the gubernatorial nomina-
tions in the May 10 primary, al
though the campaign is overshad-
owed by the war effort. No major is
sues have developed, but all efforts
at compromise have failed.
On the Republican side are Sen
ator Davis. the party's best vote
getter in the last three elections;
Maj. Gen. Edward Martin. former
commander of Pennsylvania'S 18th
Division and the choice of State
Chairman James F. Torrance: State
representative Ivan S. Watkins,
without organized support, and 1t.
Gov. Lewis, veteran officeholder.
Number of Democrats.
Judge Ralph H. Smith. Pittsburgh,
backed by Senator Guffey; F. Clair
Ross, auditor general, indorsed by
the State committee and on friend
ly terms with National Committee
man David L. Lawrence. DR.. Luther
A. Harr. counsel for the consum-
ers' division. bituminous coal di-
vision. supported by State Chairman
Meredith Meyers, and William N.
McNair, former Mayor of Pitts
burgh
Also mentioned as compromise
candidates are William c. Bullitt,
former Ambassador to France; At
torney General Biddle, and An
thonv j. Drexel Biddle, recent en-
vov to exiled governments in Lon
don.
In West Virginia, Gov. Nicely, who
left the Senate after 80 years in
Washington to run for Governor,
may again seek a Senate seat. If he
does, Herman Guy Kump, who in
1888 became the first Democratic
Governor since 1917, probably will
contest him for the nomination. Re
publicans are looking toward T. G.
Townsend. long an attorney for the
politically potent United Mine
Workers &C. I. o..
Gov. Nicely has never run for Office
without union support. The attitude
of the mine workers probably will
decide the plans of any or all of the
potential West Virginia candidates.
In Other States.
In other States the situation looks
like this:
Massachusetts, Lodge, Re-
publican, completing his first term,
has not announced his plans His
pre-war stand opposing amendments
to the Neutrality Act seems certain
to provide an issue The Democrats
are badly split
New Hampshire-Senator Bridges,
Republican, appears certain of re-
election. His strong pre-war support
of the Presidents foreign policy