Evening star., 1948-02-17
Bronx Election Today
Tests Wallace Threat
To Democratic Vote
BY the A.,oeiai.d Pres,

New York City voters give
Henry A. Wallace his first trial
run today as a threat to Demo-
cratic victory chances in 1948.
A special election to choose q
Representative from the oath con-
gressional district (the Bronx pro-
vides the test.
The third party presidential can
didate backed Leo 1sacson of the
American Labor Party against Dem
ocrat Karl Proper. The Oath dis
trict is normally Democratic, and
Mr.. Proper was expected to win.
The question was whether Mr.
Isacson, with Mr.. Wallace's help
could cut into the Democratic total
In 1946 Benjamin J. Rabin, a
Democrat. was elected from the
district with 46 per cent of the vote
TIE American Labor candidate re-
ceived ~ per cent. the Republican
10 and the Liberal Party candidate
9.5.
Mrs. Roosevelt Backs Proper.
Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, whose
husband put Mr.. Wallace into the
cabinet and the vice presidency
came out for Mr.. Proper.
Other candidates are Joseph A. De
Nigris, Republican, and Dean Al
fange, Liberal Party. The election
is to fill the vacancy caused by the
resignation of Mr.. Rabin to become
a State Supreme Court justice.
During the campaign Mayor
O'DWyer invited Mr.. Wallace back
into the Democratic Party. Mr.
Wallace retorted that the party high
command in Washington must be
scared to DEATH"
Meanwhile, maneuvering between
the party and its Southern branch
over the touchy civil rights issue
took a new turn.
Georgians Change Rally Date.
: Georgians who had intended to
hear a speech from National Chair
man j. Howard McGrath in Atlanta
March S changed the date of the
rally to March 8. Senator McGrath
cancelled his trip.
There had been rumors that Sem
ator McGrath would talk about the
White House civil rights program.
This calls for anti-lynch, anti-poll
tax and other laws which Dixie
Democrats say are anti-Southern.
Senator McGrath said actually he
hadn't chosen the subject of his talk.
The Georgians explained that they
changed the meeting date because
Atlanta hotels will be packed with a
school teachers convention March 5.
Senator Hill, Democrat, of Ala
bama agreed to substitute for Sen
ator McGrath.
In Mississippi a group opposing
Mr.. Truman's civil rights views
under the banner True White
Jeffersonian Democrats" said they
have decided to set up a head
quarters.
Gurney May Back Stassen.
In another development Senator
Gurney, Republican, of South
Dakota said he will swing to Harold
E. Stassen for the Republican presi-
Dental nomination If Senator VAN
denberg. Republican, of Michigan
won't run.
Senator Vandenberg, chairman Of
the Senate Foreign Relations Com
mittee, has insisted he is not q
candidate. -.
IF Senator Vandenberg iss. not
available to be the standard bearer
of our party" Senator Gurney said
in . statement. II think our neigh
Dor, Mr.. Stassen, is highly qualified
to,assume the responsibilities of the
Presidents Office ,...y-. .>
Mr.. StaSsen, former Governor OF
Minnesota. has praised Senator Van
denberg's foreign policy views.
In q speech at Helena, Mont, last
night Mr.. Stassen said he thinks
prospects for lasting peace are
better than they were six months
ago because of two factors. He
listed as these a weakening of COM
munist influence at home and
abroad and indications that the
American economy is headed for
neither bubble boom nor q de-
preston crash"