Evening star., 1947-08-19
The Political Mill
Labor Law Soon to Face
Strength est in z States
Pennsylvania. Michigan By.Elections
May Indicate Trend in House

~A SSN as' - SNNASS
Pennsylvania. Michigan By-Elections
May Indicate Trend in House
By Gould Lincoln
The strength of the Taft-Hartley labor law
as an issue against the Republican Party will
be put to the test in two congressional by
elections-one in Pennsylvania and the other
in Michigan-in the near future. They will
be the first elections to the House-which
overwhelmingly passed the labor law and even
more overwhelmingly overrode President Tru-
mans veto of the measure-since that law was
enacted.
Michigan's 18th congressional district, rep
resented for a decade by the late Represent
ative Fred Bradley. Republican, will hold an
election on Tuesday. August 26, to I'LL the
vacancy. Mr. Bradley voted for the Taft
Hartley bill when it passed the House. The
other contest Is in the 9Th Pennsylvania
district, where vacancy caused by the death
Of the late Representative Charles L. Gerlach,
Republican, is to be filled on September 8.
Mr.. Gerlach, who died May S. was not recorded
on the vote on the labor bill which took place
in the House April II.
The Democrats-that is, the Democratic
leaders in the House and Senate, President
National Committee - have all followed the
line of the CIo and AFL leaders, denouncing
the Taft-Hartley law. This despite the fact
that more Democrats in the House voted for
the bill than voted against, and in the Senate
20 Democrats voted for the bill-after 1t had
been vetoed by the President-and ~ voted
against 1t. So what the voters do in these two
districts may have considerable Significance
Both districts have been held by the Repub-
Icans since 1888 but before that were repre-
sented by Democrats who rode In with the
Roosevelt landslide in 1882
Michigan's 11th District
In Michigan's 11th district, CIO and AFL
unions are found in Cheboygan, st. Ignacs
and several other small cities. The labor vote,
however, does not make as much noise in an
election as the rural vote in that district
although these unions were active in the 194s
campaign. Mr. Bradley carried the district
then by 10000 votes al 900 to 81 900 in round
hg1res). 1t does not appear probable at all
that the Democrats can take this district next
Tuesday-but they will make every effort to cut
down the Republican margin of victory. Prob
ably. with a smaller vote out, which usually
happens In special election, the margin will
be smaller
This Is the Michigan distzrcr which was
represented In the early b6s by Democratic
Prentiss Brown, afterwards Senator. The Re-
publican candidate Is Charles E. Potter
veteran Of the last war who lost both his legs
Mr.. Potter won the Republican nomination In
a field of seven His Democratic opponent Is
also veteran-Harold D. Beaton. Mr.. Potter
was wounded by a land mine near Colmar,
France, in 1945, while leading the 10oth Infantry
Battalion Of the 28th Division. He was at
Walter Reed Hospital here for long time and
then retired as a major. Last December he
joined the Retraining and employment Ad-
ministration- from which he resigned In April
to make the congressional race
The Pennsylvania contest Is likely TO bring
the Taft Hartley law into the spotlight The
Republicans have nominated Franklin H. Lich-
tenwalter, speaker Of the State House Of Repre-
sentatives, and the Democrats, Philip H. Storch,
a veteran and an Allentown newspaperman.
This is the home district of former Senator
Joe Grundy. Republican boss in the Keystone
State for many years, and is made up of Bucks
and Lehigh Counties. Mr.. Gerlach carried
the district in 1946 by nearly $4,000 votes.
Two Other House Vacancies.
There are two other Republican vacancies
in the House-but in neither district has an
election date yet been set. Representative Evan
Howell Of Illinois has resigned to accept ap-
pointment to the Court of Claims, and Repre-
sentative Robert F. Jones of Ohio to accept
appointment to the Federal Communications
Commission. In these districts, the 21st Illinois
and the 4th Ohio election of new Representa-
tives may be called for next November-or they
may be postponed until the regular elections in
November, 1948. 1t is up to the Governors Of
the States to issue the calls.
This is real "off year" so far as elections
are concerned In only two States are Gov
ernors elected, Kentucky and Mississippi.
Three years ago. the Republicans upset the
Democratic applicant In Misunderstanding
Republican Gov. Willis. Last year, the Repub-
licans elected Senator from Kentucky, Sen
ator Cooper, and three Representatives to six
for the Democrats. It will, however be q
surprise If they succeed in carrying the State
again this year. Representative Earle G.
Clements of the End district Is the Democratic
nominee for Governor, and the Republicans
have put forward Eldon s. Dun1mit the States
attorney general. Mr.. Dummit was not the
choice of Gov. willis, but won in brisk CAM
paign against the Governors candidate, John
Fred Williams, superintendent Of public
instruction
Three years ago the Kentucky voters were
trying TO get rio OF the macnlne which nau
been running things with high hand in
Frankfort. This year, 1t is different, and since
Kentucky is usually Democratic State and
Republicans only win in Statewide contest
when they get Democratic votes Mr. Clements
is believed winner. If he doesn't bring home
the bacon, Democratic chances in 1948 will
look pretty slim the country over.
Questions and Answers
reader nhtain ansYer any uuestlon