Evening star., 1948-11-03
Republicans Losing
Nine Seats in Senate
At Least 6Oin House
Most of G. O. P.'s
Committee Heads
Are Returned
By Don S. Warren

Democrats have captured clear
control of the House in a vic
tory that startled even the most
optimistic Democrats while leav-
ing Republicans stunned.
A gain of at least 60 seats had
been recorded early today by Demo-
Gratis, with some Republican seats
still in doubt.
A late count indicated the House
lineup would be 237 Democrats
against l41 Republicans and one
American Labor Party.
In the Eightieth Congress. the
Republicans held control with 246
seats dncluding three vacancies at
the end Of the session. against 1877
Democrats Gncluding two Va
cancies and two American Labor.
The Democrats needed to pick up
minimum of 80 seats to regain
House control and by early morning
this had been exceeded and the
number was still growing. \
KnutSon Is Trailing.
Most Republican House leaders
and chairmen of committees in the
Eightieth Congress won reelection,
but Chairman Knutson of the House
Ways and Means Committee was
trailing his opponent in a close race
in Minnesota.
Returns from $50 of 573 precincts
gave him $3.50 to $500 for his
opponent. Fred Marshall.
Mr.. Knutson, author of last years
Republican tax-cutting bill which
was denounced by Democrats as
favoring the wealthy. was running
behind Fred Marshall. Democrat.
In statement shortly before the
election, Mr.. Knutson said he made
mistake when he voted against
the European Recovery Program and
promised he would vote for addi-
tional appropriations as needed.
Among upsets was the defeat of
Representative Isacson, American
Laborite in New York's oath district,
by Isidore Dollinger, who had the
support of Democratic, Republican
and Liberal Parties.
His American Labor Party mentor.
Vito Marcantonio of New York IS
18th district. romped to victory. In
this Eightieth Congress, both Dem
ocrats and Republicans refused to
give Mr.. Marcantonio any committee
assignments because he allegedly
followed the Communist Party line.
House Chairmen Returning.
Among Republican big wheels be-
ing returned to the House are
Speaker Martin, Chairman Taber
New York; of the Appropriations
Committee. Chairman Wolcott
michigan of the Banking and
Currency Committee, Chairman Al
len Ullinois) of the Rules Commit
tee and Chairman Michener Mich
igan) of the House Rules Commit
tee.
Chairman Thomas of the House
American Activities Committee,
focal point of attacks by liberals,
had a close race in his New Jersey
district but pulled through. How
ever, one of his Republican COL
leagues, Representative Mcdowell of
Pennsylvania was knocked out of
the House. Mr.. Mcdowell also has
served as a member of the House
District Committee.
An early report indicated that
Representative Garfield, Republican,
of New Jersey had been defeated
by a Democrat, but later this morn
ing this was challenged. Mr.. Cam
field has served on the House Ap-
preparations Committee, as chair
man of its subcommittee on Treas
ury and Post Office. and formerly
was a member of the District sub
committee
Auchincloss Is Reelected.
Representative Auchincloss, Re-
publican, of New Jersey, chairman
of the subcommittee of the House
District Committee, which last year
made strong fight for limited home
rule for District residents, was
among those reelected.
To large degree the switchback
to Democratic control of the House
Is expected to bring back into COM
(aCc LJNTICE nooo q