Evening star., 1946-10-09
Montana Democratic
Split Opens Way for +.
Republican Victory
Cleavage Over Wheeler
Moy Aid COP in Toking
3 copitoI Hill Scots
By Gould Lincoln
s,or s,oH Correspondent

HELENA, Mont, Oct. 9.-Mon-
tana, which has been a predomi-
|nantly Democratic State since
the days of Theodore Roosevelt,
may surprise the cpuntry-and
Iitself-by electing Republican
Senator, re-electing a Repub-
lican member of the House and
electing a Republican in place
lof a Democrat in its other Com
lgressional district.
Two main reasons are advanced
for a possible Republican victory
The first is a bitter cleavage ia
the Democratic ranks, growing out
OF the defeat OF Senator Wheeler
for denomination. The SECOND Is
disgust on the part Of many OF the
rank and file voters with shortages
| Of all kinds, from beef to houses,
and with the Democratic national
administration
Company" Aid Expected.
Another and entirely practical
reason why the Republicans may
win is that ''the company"-which
means in this State the Anaconda
Copper Co.'s likely to do Its best
for the Republican nominees. The
company in the past has not been
above playing both sides of the
street. This year, however, while
lit Is not giving an open pat on the
back to the Republican candidates,
the company is expected to drop
the BOOM (local parlance for the
company's giving the "go" sign to
Its many representatives and
friends in the NState).
The Senatorial race Is between
Left Erickson, the Democrat who
ousted Senator Wheeler from the
Democratic senatorial nomination,
and Zales Acton, Republican, who
was nominated practically without
Opposition. Mr.. Erickson. who is 40,
is a former associate justice of the
State Supreme Court. He tried for
the governorship two years ago
against Republican Gov. Sam Ford
and was defeated by 27,000 votes,
while Franklin d. Roosevelt was
carrying the State in the presiden-
tial race by some 10000 votes. Gov.
Ford, by the way, Is the first Re-
publican to be chief executive OF
Montana since the days of Gov.
Dixon.
COP More United.
Mr.. Erickson's success over Sena-
tor Wheeler is variously explained.
First, he had the support Of the
anti Wheeler. pro-Murray Demo-
cratic organization. Second, some
Republicans are said to have gone
into the Democratic primary to vote
for Mr.. Erickson and knock Senator
Wheeler of on the theory that Mr..
Erickson would be an easier man to
defeat in the general election.
Other Republicans voted for Sena-
tor Wheeler because they have sup
ported him in the past. Senator
Wheeler,s isolationist record prior
to this country's entrance into
World War II was used strongly
against him in the primary cam
paign-along with his opposition to
many of the legislative proposals of
the late President Roosevelt. Now
lit is reported many Of those who
voted for Mr.. Erickson in the pri-
mary will shift to Mr.. Ecton.
The Republican organization,
while it has its differences, is much
more wholly together than the
Democratic. Gov. Ford and the Re-
publican national committeeman,
Dan milestone, have failed on
some occasions to see eye to eye,
However, they and their followers
appear to have lined up definitely
for the Republican congressional
candidates. There is no guberna-
torial election this year.
The Republican senatorial candi-
date is no ball Of fire on the stump
He is, however, highly regarded, q
successful stockman, rancher and
businessman. The Democrats have
tried, and in measure, succeeded
| in putting him on the defensive be-
cause Gerald L. K. Smith, America
Firster, gave him an unsolicited in
dorSement. Mr.. Ecton made the
mistake of dignifying the matter by
issuing q strong statement denying
he had ever had anything to do with
Mr.. Smith and his organization. Mr.
Ecton Is a veteran Of the World War
He has pledged himself to support
the United Nations and to support
) (See LINCOLN, Page A-7D
~