Evening star., 1947-09-11
The Political Mill
Indiana Offers Next Test
At Polls of Hartley Law
Sprinser's Death Results in Contest ir
Normally Republican District
Rv EouJd T;ur0In

The Taft Hartley labor law, the Republican,
Congress, the Democratic Party and the eIo
ale set for another test of strength this fell---
in the 10th congressional district of Indiana,
due to the recent death of Representative
Springer, Republican The election comes
November 4-the regular election day for
Mayors of cities in the Hoosier State.
This district has been strongly Republican.
This however does not mean it cannot go
Democratic. 1t did in 1890 1882, 1884 and
1936-those days when the COP was on the
skids and the Democratic New Dealers were
riding high wide and handsome. Finley Gray
was elected as Democrat to the House in
those years. But in 1888 the political pendulum
began to swing again and the district went
Republican and has been so since Last year
Mr.. Springer carried it by $4,000 votes: some
thing over so per cent of the vote cast was
Republican.
The Republicans have selected Ralph Harvey,
member of the State Legislature for three
terms; farmer vino successfully manages 500
acres just outside of New Castle, Ind There
was no primary. convention of the county
chairmen and vice chairmen-20 men all told
under the State election law made the seec-
lion. The Democrats will pick their candidate
today by the same method.
Uphill Fight for Democrat.
Frank Hanley Muncie automobile dealer
is given the inside track for the nomination
by some of the talent, but other candidates
include Frank C. Unger, Farmland, who was
beaten by MIR. Springer last November; Hubert
Wickens. Greensburg. former State senator;
Marion Ayres. editor of the Shelbyville Demo-
Crat; Van l.. Ogle and Tom Cannon.
Whoever the Democratic candidate may be-
le will have an uphill fight. However, with
the CIO and the AFL active for him, the
Democrat has an opportunity to cut strongly
into the Republican lead The district is
likely to provide test OF the political organiz-
ing ability of the labor leaders. Union labor Is
Suo ong in four OF the districts cities, Muncie,
Richmond, New Castle and Connersville. There
IS big agricultural area however, and the
Republicans are counting on getting the farm
ers out-and if they do, the district. the
Republicans insist, should stay safely Repub-
hcan.
This is the home district of Philip Willkie
27-year -old son of the late Wendell Willkie
The RuShvlle Republican county committee
Immediately after the death of Mr. Springer
proposed to put young Willkie-who served
IN the Navy during the last war-forward as
a candidate for the nomination Mr. Willkie
however, stepped the plan, declaring he
had no political plans or ambitions.
Watson Had Enough"
There was also a suggestion that former
Senator Jim" Watson be nominated-that
the district which was his old home could well
honor the veteran by electing him to fill out
the unexpired term of Mr.. Springer. Senator
Watson, now 83 years old, spends most of his
r!me in Washington, and he said emphatically
that he was not interested. Forty years in
Congress- as he put it, lis enough for any
man. Furthermore, campaigning is hard work
and I could not go into a campaign without
going all the way Mr.. Watson was a power
IN the House of Representatives before he
was elected to the Senate, where he eventually
became ma ajority leader.
The death of Representative Clifford Of
Massachusetts, a Republican legislator of
many years service, will give the Democrats
another chance to knock at the door OF the
House Mr. Giffords dstrict-on Cape Cod
S regarded, however, as rock-ribbed Republic
can. Mr.. Clifford carried the district last
year by 265OO votes. and in 1914. when Pres-
dent Roosevelt was running, by $4,000. 1t Is
presumed that arrangements will be made
for filling this House vacancy this fall.