Evening star., 1944-10-29
Republican Leaders
Claim New jersey by
15O,000-Vote Margin
BY GOULD LINCOLN.
Star staff Correspnlldent.

Star Staff Correspondent.
NEWARK, N. j., Oct. 28.-NeW
Jersey looks like Gov. Thomas E
Dewey's best bet to crack the
Middle Atlantic States. The State
has swung strongly Republican
in the last few years. 1t not only
has a Republican Governor, but
its whole delegation in Congress
except for three Representa-
tives-have been elected by the
COP.
Because of the death of Senator
Barbour, Republican, the former
Democratic Governor, Charles Edi.
son, was able to appoint Arthur
Walsh to fill the vacancy temporar.
lily.
At that, it's a battle with many
cross currents. Republican leaders
say they will carry the State by
10000 but they would be glad tc
settle for $4,000 or $4,000. The
Democrats, counting on President
Roosevelts popularity. Boss Mayor
Frank Hague of Jersey City, and The
CIO Political Action Committee, are
saying for publication they will win
by 100000. That represents a hope
hot a firm conviction.
-Four years ago President Roose-
velt carried the State by 1000 votes
Mayor Hague rolled up a lead OF
100000 in Hudson County and Cam
den also gave Mr.. Roosevelt a leao
of Al 900. The Democrats are talk
ing hopefully about what they will
do in Camden and Mayor Hague in
sists he will give another 100000
this year to the Democratic ticket.
Hague Has Own Problem.
There is reason to believe, how
ever, that the Republicans will give
a much better account of themselves
In the northern and central part of
the State than they did in 1910.
Furthermore, Mayor Il am the Law
Hague is more exercised today over
what happens in the fight for new
State constitution than he is over
the Roosevelt-Dewey fight.
The proposed new constitution
contains couple of provisions
which the boss does not like. One
of these provides that any State or
municipal official called on by
legislative committee to answer
questions must answer or automa-
tically be relieved of his office.
Mr.. Hague has been questioned
by legislative committees in the past
and has refused to answer ques-
tions. The prediction is that If the
new constitution is ratified by the
voters, legislative committee will
call the mayor before it early next
year and ask him embarrassing
questions, particularly as to where
he got his money.
Another provision deals with the
courts, especially the appellate court
upon which Mr.. Hague has managed
to place friends. If these two pro-
visions of the new constitution be-
come law, Mr.. Hague may be in an
awkward positions.
Revision Has Good Chance.
Boss Hague is campaigning vigor-
ously against the new constitution.
He was clocked while he delivered
one address and it was found he
discussed the constitution for one
hour and so minutes and spent
two minutes talking about the
Roosevelt ticket. He is appealing
to various groups to oppose the con-
stitution. However, there is strong
belief the constitution revision will
prevail. The citizenry voted about
four to one to have a revised con-
stitution submitted. Former Gov.
Edison, who fought Mr.. Hague all
curing his administration as Gov
ernor, Is out campaigning for the
new constitution.
Incidentally Mr.. Edison. who re-
Gently visited the White House and
told the President that New jersey
would go against him, is taking no
part In the presidential race. He is
rot speaking for Mr.. Roosevelt, al
though he served as Secretary of
the Navy in the Roosevelt cabinet
before he was elected Governor.
The President has always played
along with Mayor Hague.
The Edison prediction that Gov,
Dewey would carry the State, made
70 White House reporters, as well as
70 the President, caused a lot of in
dlgnation among the Democrats.
They hurried former Gov. Moore
to Washington to make a prediction
Of Democratic victory.
Between Two Huge States.
New Jersey lies between the two
most populous States of the Union.
New York and Pennsylvania. in
Doth of which the presidential race
Is believed to be close. If it goes
republican it may be the bellwether
for its big neighbors. 1t has a
large commuter population, which
;lves IN New Jersey and works in
New York City. If this commuter
population, which for the most part
is Republican, gets out and votes on
election day in full force. it is likelv
to swing the State to Gov. Dewey
Gov. Edge, Republican, is going
all-out for Gov. Dewey in this cam
paign. The control of State Offices
is in the hands of the Republicans
this time, and not the Democrats as
IN 1910. The Democratic organiza-
ton, outside of Mr.. Hague's own
oailiwick, has been shot to pieces.
and the party's chief reliance is on
the CIO committee, which has done
a job getting workers registered in
the Camden and other war-plant
areas.
However, this activity on behalf
OF the Democrats by the CIO is not
new. 1t was tried out in congress
sional elections two years ago and
again last year in the gubernatorial
race, when the Democrats had a
labor man as their candidate against