Evening star., 1948-05-21
Rivals in Oregon
Wary on Claims
AS Polls Open
Stossen-Dewey Fight
Expected to Bring Out
Record Vote Today
BY the Associated Press

PORTLAND, Greg, May 21.-
Gov. Thomas E. Dewey and Har-
old E. Stassen came to an end
OF the Oregon political trail to-
day in their race for Oregon's
Republican presidential favor.
1t was photo finish to a furious
and sometimes acrimonious three
weeks Of campaigning.
Neither the New York Governor
nor the Minnesotan was bold enough
to claim victory in advance of to-
days voting for the IL delegates
to the Republican National Conven-
ton.
AS polls opened at 8 am, over
cast but generally favorable weather
was in prospect throughout the
State.
AS consequence, a record turn
out was indicated. Republican
registration was at an all-time high
of 1922, 400, of which 65 or 10 per
cent were expected to cast ballots
before poll closing time at 8 pm.
Both Gov. Dewey and Mr. Stas-
sen were pinning a large share of
their presidential hopes on the out
come of the elections-the last di-
rect presidential preference primary
before the Republican Party nomi-
mates standard bearer at Phila-
delphia next month.
Roth h,.ny,ohf fl,oi, +a
a close last night in Portland. For
the last 20 days they have criss-
crossed Oregon from border to bor-
der in unprecedented personal cam
palgns in which each spoke to an
estimated 100000 persons.
Portland's downtown business Sec
ton last night resounded to the
blare of bands and was lit by red
flares as Stassen supporters paraded
through the streets in a campaign
finale
Both candidates took to the radio
in last appeals to the voters.
Mr.. Stassen, speaking at suburban
Gresham, told his audience;
Il say it frankly-We can win ma
tionally only if the people of Oregon
make our campaign their campaign"
The Minnesotan, who confidently
called the turn in advance in Ne
braska and Wisconsin, made no pre-
diction on the Oregon outcome.
Neither did his rival. Gov. Dewey,
in his concluding statement, voiced
the hope Oregonians would see eye
to eye with him. He let it go at
that
Obscuring the outcome are two
factors new to this years elections.
One is 80 per cent increase in
Oregon's population since the war.
The other, a corollary, is a 80 per
cent increase in registration since
the 1914 elections.
Count Due to Be Slow.
The count was expected to be
slow. ClosenesS of the contest made
it probable the final outcome might
not be known before tomorrow
night.
In keeping with Oregon tradition,
both Mr. Stassen and Gov. Dewey
were to leave the Safe today without
waiting for the final results.
Mr.. Stassen was scheduled to fly
to Minnesota in preparation for a
visit to Springfield. Mo. next Mon
day or Tuesday Some time next
week he is due back on the West
Coast to pay a call on Gov. Earl
Warren of California.
Gov. Dewey flies to Spokane and
Seattle today. Tomorrow he calls
on Gov. Warren at Sacramento and
spends the night in Reno, New. He
then goes to Salt Lake City tomor-
row, Pocatello and Butte Monday,
New York Tuesday and Trenton,
N. j.. Wednesday.
Largest Ballot in History.
Almost lost in the fanfare of the
presidential primary was the largest
State ballot in Oregon history.
For the first time since 1916,
Oregon nominates Governor. Sec
retary of State and State Treasurer
all at the same time. In addition
nominees are to be named for four
Congressional seats and the Senate.
In the latter, Senator Gordon, Re-
publican, is unopposed.
The governorship is up this year
because of the death in a plane
crash last October of Gov. Earl
Smell. His successor. John Hall, was
generally credited with victory in
the Republican Primary.