Evening star., 1944-09-17

IN
The vote was slightly less than half
the total enrolment, but described
by local leaders as normal for
city election.
Democrats scored during the week
when the State Federation Of Labor,
at Its annual convention, tndorsed
President Roosevelt for reelection
and condemned Representative Ra-
nulf Compton, Republican, of the
Sd district.
Wagner Addresses AFL
By James Desmond.
NEW YORK, Sept. 16.-Opening
OF the campaign for United States
Senator with Republican Secretary
Of State Thomas j. Curran complet-
Ing his first campaign tour and
United States Senator Robert F..
Wagner defending the New Deal in
New York City, was the high light of
the political week in New York.
There was nothing sensational
about either drive. Curran followed
the Dewey line in attacking the New
Deal on its domestic policy and
promised performances as Senator.
Wagner, significantly, opened his
campaign before Local 142 Of the
International Ladies Garment
Workers Union, an AFL affiliate, in
what may or may not have been a
move calculated to offset the en-
phasis on the CIO in the New Deal
campaign.
i Wagner's emphasis was on the
Hoover" depression and did little
to bring anything new into the cam
paign.
Virginia Safely New Deal
By C. W. Houston.
RICHMOND, Sept. 16.-Although
no one seems seriously to believe
that Thomas E. Dewey can take Vir-
ginia from President Roosevelt this
fall, much political interest is being
generated and it probably will carry
on over until a new Governor and
House Of Delegates are chosen a
year hence.
Burning issues just now include
better support for public education,
establishment Of an adequate public
health service for all the State and
abolition Of the poll tax as a voting
prerequisite.
The dominant Democratic ma
chine" headed by Senator Harry
Flood Byrd, is essentially anti-New
Deal and in rather bad odor in some
sections. 1t barred Negroes from its
Roanoke convention, and at Chicago
its delegation flirted with the Texas
electoral college boilers and cast its
"a voters for Senator Byrd. 1t was
the only delegation instructed
against Henry A. Wallace.
The Committees of 100 for the
Reelection of President Roosevelt
and the Advancement of Progressive
Democratic Principles, organized by
Rixey Smith. secretary to the i'll
Senator Carter Glass and others,
have attracted many members, in
cluding labor leaders. Officers have
said they could not trust the reg
ulars to put on sincere campaign"
for the President.
Six of the nine congressional dis
tricts have Republican candidates
and in three of these-2d, 7th and
9th-the Republicans have an out
side chance of victory.
Democrats Gain in Midwest
By Charles N. Wheeler.
CHICAGO, ILL.,. Sept. 16.-The
Democratic picture frightened
somewhat in the corn belt salient
the past week, attributed in part
to the brilliant war victories, the
Quebec pourparlors and the con-
ferences Of. Midwest Democratic
leaders here.
No decided groundswel is per-
ceptible yet, but the inside dope
from the rival camps is that, as of
today, 1t is q real horse race in
Indiana and Illinois, with the Dew
eyites riding high, wide and hand
some in Iowa, and out in front in
Minnesota and Wisconsin Iowa
apparently is set to do better this
trip for Dewey than its $3.50 plural
ity for Willkie In 1910. Barring q
COP landslide in Indiana, Gov.
Henry F. Schricker, nominee for
United States Senator, and Senator
Sam D. Jackson, who made such a
hit as permanent chairman of
the Democratic National Conven-
ticn, nominee for Governor, are
given the edge.
Outside the larger industrial areas
in Minnesota, principally Mime
apolis and Duluth, the Hillman
ogre" reliable reports indicate, is
cementing the Republicans. With
Senator Ball and Gov. Thye going
down the line for Dewey, COP stock
still is above par, listening posts
report.
Wisconsin took Dewey to its heart
in the 1910 primary and again in
the recent bowling over of Willkie.
The State has been waiting four
years for the opportunity to vote for
Dewey for President.
Based on every surface indication.
Illinois is a tossup. Roosevelt's
plurality of 712,0O0 in 1886 was whit
tied down to 1854 four years ago.
The trend continued two years ago.
but has slowed down considerably
In the past few months.
Hillman's organization, aided by the
rank-and-f1le AFL labor forces and
Mayor Kellys impregnable machine
will give Roosevelt a lopsided vote
in Chicago.
Michigan COP Enthused
By w. A. Markland.
LANSING, Mich, Sept. 16.-Mich-
igan Republicans this week, in one
day. raised nearly half of their State
and national campaign budget of
$47O, 900. Directors of campaign
finances took full advantage of the
enthusiasm engendered by the visit
last week end of Gov. Thomas E.
Dewey, presidential candidate and
native son. They called a series of
meetings for Monday in Detroit and