St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1946-08-23

that he might not survive the gen.
eral election campaign. There were
quiet consultations but always the
leaders agreed that any move that
would involve public attention was
certain to be interpreted as a cal
lous act. Consequently, no plans
were ever formulated.
The confusion which followed
news Of the Congressman's death
concerning what legal steps could
be taken to ensure a party nominee
being on the ballot points up the
need for a thorough revision of the
state election laws. Our election
laws have grown in haphaZard
fashion, and on hundreds Of points
legal procedure is not clear. The
confusion could possibly be further
complicated should the President
summon Congress into special SEES
sion before January. In that case,
the Governor would have to call
for a special election, both primary
and general, if the district were to
be represented.
The defeat of Senator Robert NJ.
LaFollette in the Wisconsin Re-
publican primary is being inter
preted as another victory for Har-
old Stassen. While Stassen did not
actively enter the primary, Joseph
r. Mccarthy, the victorious COP
nominee, campaigned on an inter-
nationalist platform. A leading role
was played by longtime Stassen
figure, Victor Johnston, who was
formerly director of the Minnesota
State Tourist Bureau under Stas-
sen. He moved to Wisconsin two
years ago, and is now executive
secretary of the Republican party.
Stassen's forces are known to be
actively at work in Wisconsin, pre-
pairing that state for a Stassen
sweep in its 1913 Presidential pri-
mary.
Minnesota is one of seven states
in the nation that do not have state
enabling legislation that permits
cities to establish public housing
authorities to engage in construc-
ton of low-cost housing for low
income groups. With the housing
shortage commanding so much at
tention, the fight for an enabling
act in the 1947 session is certain
to be renewed with increased vigor.
The City of Minneapolis is prepar-
ing to obtain the authority by
charter amendment, and the city
charter commission has tentatively
scheduled vote on such an amend
ment at the November 5 election.
Minnesota Congressman who
have served six years or longer can
now retire with a pension. The
reorganization act adopted just be-
fore Congress adjourned provides
for retirement allowances based on
years Of service. Harold Knutson,
who is serving his 18th term, could
retire and draw 1926 a year for
the rest of his life. Senator Ship
stead will be eligible to receive
$4,913 annually, August H. Andre
sen could receive $4,275 when he
reached 62 years of age. The bill
provides, however, that each men,
Der pay in $2,674 as an initial pay
ment.
Senator Claude Pepper of Flori-
da has thrown his hat in the ring
as a candidate for the 1913 Demo-
cratic Presidential nomination. He
says he would be happy to run with
Henry Wallace as either the Presi-
Dental or Vice Presidential candi-
date. A Pepper-Wallac ticket
would unquestionably meet with
approval among the group current
ly in control of the Minnesota DFL
party, which has voiced increasing
criticism Of President Humans
policies. The denomination of Tru-
man versus the nomination Of a
Pepper Wallace or Wallace Pepper
ticket could very well become the
central issue Of the 1913 Mime
sofa DFL convention which will
name the delegates to the national
Democratic convention.