Evening star., 1943-10-25

1914. A Republican victory in Ken
lucky this November would not help
his chances.
So take it by and large, the inter-
est in the outcome in Kentucky's S
coming election is warranted.
I Mr.. Donaldson, the Democratic
gubernatorial nominee, is a short
slender man. 50 years old. He is
president Of the Carrollton First Ma
tional Bank, the operator of three
farms and lawyer He has been
in politics for years. He resigned as
highway commissioner last MAY to
become a candidate for the guber-
material nomination. In 1899 he was
campaign manager for Gov. John
son. In his school and college days
he attended Virginia Military Insti-
tute, Massachusetts Institute Of
Technology and Center College,
Danville. He got his law degree
from Cumberland University, Ten
nesSee.
Willis Is Lawyer, Too.
Judge Willis, in contrast, is tall,
loosely built, and 63 years old. He
Is lawyer. too, and former Judge of
the court of appeals. He did not go
to college, however, but got his edu-
cation In the schools and later be-
came a school teacher, and In three
years was school principal. He be-
gan the reading of law and stuck to
1t, passed the bar examination In
1901 and started practice in Ash
land. Today he has a lucrative
practice in Eastern Kentucky.
Judge Willis has always been a
Republican, and from his early days
took part in politics. He determined
to be candidate for Governor
this year last winter and an
nounced his intention. The Repub-
licans united behind him and he was
unopposed, finally, for the nomina-
ton.
When he was born, one Of the
last of nine children John Willis.
his father, turned to the family
bible for a name for the present
Judge. The Willises had run out of
family names for their children.
Willis senior opened the Bible and
his eye came upon a picture of the
seer, Simeon. He went no farther.
A visit to State headquarters
both Republican and Democratic. in
Louisville does not give the i'm
preston that the people of Ken
lucky are wildly excited over this
gubernatorial race AS matter of
fact, they are not. The people of
Kentucky. like those in other States,
are vitally interested in the war.
They are busy making munitions.
growing crops and Grabbing about
the Government regulations. which
they do not like But this seeming
quiet at headquarters does not
mean good deal of work is not
being done on both sides spf the
political fence. or that on election
night the returns will not be
watched with keeneSt interest both
at Frankfort and in Washington.
Predictions Offered.
Here are the predictions of the
campaign managers for what they
are worth. Democratic State Chair
man Franklin claims that Mr..
Donaldson will be elected with a
lead Of at least $4,000. He expects
the vote to be light. probably not
over 100000, Or 100000 short of what
1t was in the gubernatorial election
in 1899. His organiza ton, he insists,
Is functioning well in all parts of
the State. He claims that Louis
Vile will 60 Democratic by 10000 to
5000 votes.
Republican State Campaign Man.
ager Ross is more modest in his
claims. but equally confident. He
says that Judge Willis will win bv
from 10000 to 10000 votes. He sees
real Democratic revolt against
both State and Federal administra-
tons, in all parts of the State.
More neutral observers-it Is
difficult to be neutral in Kentucky
politics-estimate the Democrats will
carry the State by from 10000 to
25,OOO votes. The gamblers are
betting to l on a Democratic VIC
tory, and in some cases the odds
given are as high as to |.
Notwithstanding their predictions
and the odds offered on the election,
the Democrats are worried. They
40 not know just how far resent
ment over conditions and factional
dlSsention in party ranks will cut
INTO their vote and help the Repub-
licans.
Don't lose hope til you've tried q