Evening star., 1948-10-28
The Political Min
BowIes Still Seen Short
Of Connecticut Victory
9. o. P. Expects Gov. Shannon to Win
by Far Less Margin Than Dewey

G. o. P. Expects Gov. Shannon to Win
by Far Less Margin Than Dewey
By Gould Lincoln
HARTFORD, Conn, Oct 2s-Chester Bowles,
white hope Of the Roosevelt New Dealers az
Democratic candidate for Governor of Con.
necticut, has conducted an effective campaign,
ringing the changes on high prices, housing
and old-age assistance, but he still seems short
Of victory. Governor James G. Shannon, Re-
publican, will in all probability be the winner
in the gubernatoriaI contest, although his
margin Of victory may be considerably less than
that of Gov. Dewey Of New York, in the
presidential race.
Until Mr.. Bowles launched a driving cam
paign, the Democrats appeared fiat on their
backs in this State. BY the constant use of
radio, with in many cases the forum tech
nique, Mr.. Bowles shook some life into the CAM
paign-until now Democratic leaders are pre-
dieting his election, although they admit they
have no chance whatever to carry the State
for President Truman.
Former head of the defunct OPA Mr. Bowles
has talked and talked about the high cost Of
living and what might have been done about
it had not the Republicans in Congress given
the OPA the rap. The answer to his argu-
ments, however, by some of the Connecticut
citizens has been: 80 what If Bowles is
Governor-he can't do anything about prices,
and he can't do anything about housing"
Likely Party Leader.
Particular interest centers in the Bowles
effort, nevertheless, because if he makes good
Showing-even if not elected-he may become
an important figure when it comes to picking
up the pieces of the Democratic Party and
putting them together again, after the coming
election. 1t is men like Mr.. Bowles and Mayor
Humphrey of Minneapolis, Democratic candi-
date for Senator in Minnesota, on whom the
old Roosevelt New Dealers will lean and to
whom they will look for leadership. If they
are in Office so much the better.
It looks, however, as though Mr.. Bowles had
a task bit too big to handle in this guberna-
torial race He is running against Gov. Shan
non, the first Republican Catholic Governor
Connecticut has had The population of the
State is approximately IS per cent Catholic.
A fear of the Democrats Is that some of their
voters will cross over and support Gov. Shan
non. The religious issue has been kept out Of
the campaign, but 1t is nevertheless there,
under the surface. And while some Of the
Yankee Republicans, on account of the same
issue, may 60 to Mr.. Bowles, the belief is strong
that such defections will be more than Offset
by Democratic support of Gov. Shannon.
Mr.. Bowles' ambition is, Of course, to win elec-
ton as Governor. His second ambition Is to
run ahead of President Truman in the ballot
ing, even If he, Mr.. Bowles, must suffer defeat.
If he can lead the Democratic ticket by
considerable margin in the coming election,
he will be in good case to make a bid for
rku fox In md he SxiN ho
corded a voice in the inner circles of the
Democratic leadership.
Senator Brien Mcmahon, Democrat, who
must come up for reelection two years hence.
has worked hard for Mr.. Bowles in this cam
paign. Clearly, If Mr.. Bowles is elected, he
will run again in 1850 for Governor and SEN
ator Mcmahon, teamed with him In the off,
year election, should have much more than a
good chance for reelection to the Senate.
At one time reports had 1t that Senator
Mcmahon looked askance at Mr.. Bowles as
possible challenger for Senator McMahon's
control in Connecticut. This year. however, the
Connecticut Senator threw his influence In
support of Bowles' nomination.
Gov. Shannon, who became chief executive
Of the State on the death Of the late Gov.
James McConaughy, has done quite well as
the ordinary citizen looks at it. He has in
herited, In q measure, q sales tax issue from
the late Governor. but it seems to be Of
minor Importance. special session of the
legislature reduced the per cent tax to
per cent with proviso it should go back to
2 per cent next year, if the revenue were
needed.
Victory Estimates.
Republican estimates of Shannon victory
run all the way from a margin of 10000 to
80000-indeed, the State chairman, Harold
E. Mitchell, is claiming 100000. The Demo-
Gratis, for their part are claiming that Bowles
should win by anywhere from 5000 to $1,000
and some of the more enthusiastic put his
lead at $4,000.
The Wallace Progressive Party entered O
Yale professor, Thomas T. Emerson, as their
candidate for Governor. Prof. Emerson served
as general counsel of the OPA when Mr.. Bowles
was at the head of that agency. After Mr..
Bowles was nominated by the Democrats
Prof. Emerson's name was withdrawn.
That hardy political perennial, Jasper
McLevy, Socialist Mayor of Bridgeport is
again entered as Socialist candidate for Cover
nor. This still further complicates the situ-
alton. But as usual the McLevy candidacy
will benefit the Republicans rather than the
Democrats. 1t is likely Mr.. McLevy will poll
around $4,000 votes.
Mr.. Bowles, who made a good thing out of
his advertising firm in New York, has been
able to put a considerable sum of money into
the campaign-and much of 1t has gone for
radio time. Although he comes Of an old
Connecticut family, his years as business
man in New York have given his opponents
an opportunity to slap "carpet-bagger" sign
on him. -.-.
When the Wallace candidate. P.of Emer.
son, withdrew in favor Of Mr. Bowles, the latter
was charged by Republicans with having .
Red tinge and Mr.. Bowles promptly denied he
wishes the support Of any Communists
It looks like good race-with considerable
political import hanging in the balance.
> Old Oreun-Antique Shop
Here in this dusty room, of memory
Where clusters mutely the intGglio