Evening star., 1946-10-27
COP May Gain
SixHouseSeats
|nPhi|ade|phia
Republican Plurality
Of $4,000 Seen in
Roosevelt Stronghold
By Gould Lincoln
stor Sfaff Correspondent

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 26.-
Philadelphia, which rolled up
huge pluralities for Franklin D.
Roosevelt in 1910 and 1914, is
about to do in the Democratic
Party and its congressional
ticket.
This is the estimate of the politi-
cal situation made not only by Re-
publican leaders, but by Democratic
sympathizers. Where Mr.. Roose-
velt's lead in this city two years
ago was upward of 10000, it now is
estimated Philadelphia will show a
Republican plurality not less than
$4,000, and 1t may go, according to
some of the workers, as high as
10000.
If these estimates are correct,
Pennsylvania not only will elect
Gov. Martin, Republican, to the
Senate over Senator Guffey, Demo-
crat, but it probably will take from
four to six House seats away from
the Democrats, and thereby do much
to assure Republican control of that
body in the new Congress.
The Republican State ticket, in
cluding Governor and Lieutenant
Governor, will travel along with the
congressional candidate to victory.
Mr.. Roosevelt's victory in Penn
sylvania in 1914 was measured by
the big lead he ran up in Philadel-
phia. The Republicans, it is con-
f1dently predicted will do better out
in the State than they did two years
ago. including Allegheny county,
which is Pittsburgh.
Lack Roosevelt Aid.
Without the magic political aid
of Mr.. Roosevelt in the White
House, the Democrats here are fac
ing a tough situation. In addition,
this is an "off-year" election. 1t
will. be remembered that in 1888 and
l941, two other off-year elections,
the Republicans succeeded in elect
ing a Senator and a Governor Gin
1889 and Governor Tin 1912,
while Mr.. Roosevelt still was Pres
ident.
Philadelphia, with its huge, sprawl
ing population, has six members of
the House-aH now Democrats who
ran to victory with Mr.. Roosevelt in
1914. One ardent Roosevelt fol-
lower, who is a keen political OBJ
server. figures the Republicans will
gain at least four of these House
seats. He adds that If the Repub-
lican sweep is as deep as many be-
lieve, the Republicans may take five.
or even all six of these districts.
Fundamentally, the story goes,
Philadelphia is Republican. Even
during the Roosevelt administration,
the Republicans were able to keep
control of the city, and the Repub-
lean organization is reported to be
even. stronger today than 1t has
been.
Democrats Confident.
None of this is admitted, how
ever. by Michael J. Bradley, Demo-
cratic city chairman, member OF
the House from the third district
Gin Philadelphia since the 1886
elections but who gave up running
to succeed himself this year in order
to take over the now permanent
and paid job of city chairman.
Mr.. Bradley is confident the DEM
ocrats will do well, Notwithstanding
Republican and other more objec-
tive claims to the contrary. He is
not admitting defeat in any OF the
six congressional districts, and he
clings to a belief that Senator Guf-
few will be reelected.
With Mr.. Roosevelt personally out
of the picture. the Democratic ef-
fort is to line up the voters Tor the
policies of the late President. The
name of Roosevelt has been inter
iected into the campaign here even
more vigorously during the last two
weeks because of a speech made by
Joseph N. Pew, jr.-big contributor
to the Republican campaign funds.
Addressing the oath Ward Repub-
hcan Club at the Bellevue-Stratford
Hotel, Mr.. Pew said:
For the first time in IA years we
can dispel that terrible smoke screen
of deceit, dishonor and corruption
which has kept secret from our
people the excesses of that power
drunk S,ligarchy in Washington.
THE pied piper is gone. The
golden voice which charmed our
children away from their loyalties to
their country is stilled. But in Penn
sylvania the political rats are left. "
Tip" ONeil, star reporter and
political writer for the Philadelphia
(See LINCOLN, Page A-8)