The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-24

Nov 3 election plans to win contro tically important in the nation.
 Despite gravity of World War II taxing all his time and energy, MT. Roosevelt may be called on for a personal appearance in the com monwealth in behalf of Auditor General F. Clair Ross, Democratic fiscal officer bucking COP guber- material victory tradition broken only once snce 1895.
 Injection of the President into Pennsylvania's political campaign was termed logical by Democratic strategists in hope of minimizing increasing war-spurred sentiment favoring the Republican candidate for Governor, Maj. Gen. Edward Martin, now the COP State admin istration's adjutant general and for mer commander of the famed 18th Qron) Division.
 B Seats n Congress Open
 Especially important to MT. Roose- welt and the New Deal is continued control of Congress, and that factor lends additional significance to the states congressional contests next November. Pennsylvania's delega- tion in Congress now comprises 19 Democrats and IS Republicans.
 All of the states B seats in Con- gress are at stake, with 32 to be elected by district votes and one to be elected at large. A population drop forced the state to eliminate one representative, requiring revision of several congressional district boundaries.
 Among congressman to be selected will be successor to the late Rev. Patrick J. Roland, of Scranton, who served as the Presidents House whip. His widow is now serving out his term. Democrats point out that need for New Deal control of Congress until the Presidents third term ends in 1945, probably will en- able him to find time to promote the party cause in Pennsylvania.
 Leaders Doubt Senators
 Rival political leaders were con- cerned over the attitude of the states U. s. Senators, Democrat Jo- seph F. Guffey and Republican James J. (Ruddler Jim) Davis. Since both suffered sharp reverses in last Mays primary, there is doubt of their enthusiastic support of respec- tive party gubernatorial candidates.
 Davis, labor secretary under three Presidents, opposed Martin in the primary. He garnered 420,000 votes; i; Martin, 517,000. Long at odds with Democratic state chairman David L. Lawrence, Gfufey backed Judge Ralph H. Smith, Pittsurgh, for the gubernatorial nomination in three way fight. Ross won with 277,OOO votes, Smith finishing second with 216,OOO.
 It appeared likely that both par ties will gain surface unity, creating departure from dissension in Dem- ocratic ranks since 1888 when Cuff fey's bitter fight with Lawrence led to spectacular graft charges, regard ed chiefly responsible for the elec- tion of Republican Gov. Arthur H James.
 Until then, it appeared certain the liberal policies of former Gov George H. Earle, elected in 1895 as the states first Democratic chief executive in A yeas, would enable { party leaders to hold their grip or the commonwealth administration Now lieutenant commander in the Navy, Earle rejected offers to TUT again this year after his return from Bulgaria, where he served as U. s Minister.
 Soldiers Vote Important
 The gubernatorial campaign will get under full steam early in Sep- tember. Meantime, Republicans and Democrats are worrying over ways to get the soldier vote. Party lead CTS are convinced that a substantial return of absentee ballots could swing the election either way. Less than 2,000 Pennsylvanians in the armed forces voted at the primary when only 30 per cent of the reg istered voters went to the polls.
 The state has approximately f. 5OO,OOO registered voters and Repub- licans have maintained margin o1 600, ,00O, 900 for years.
 With exception of announcement by both candidates that state taxes can, and will be, cut sharply next year in view of an anticipated sur plus, which James said has been made possible by strict Republican economy, no campaign issues have been raised.
 Martin, a veteran state official has been boomed on his military record and urgency for "war gov ernor" during the present crisis. A flying cadet in the last war, Ross , has preached importance of electing Democratic governor to follow i'm plicitly the policies of President DNAwn41aYk Zoe ktn0 AaawMktnsa