Evening star., 1949-10-01
The Political Mil
Lucus-Dirksen Race Called
No. 7 in Election Interest
Defeat of Senate Democratic Leader
Would Be Blow to Truman
D.. C,.,IJ Y:s.,I.
Bv Gould Lincoln

Dy OONtU 1sVCOtV
II the Taft contest in Ohio has become the
Number l contest in next years congress
sional elections, the Lucas-Dirksen race In
Illinois for the Senate certainly looms as
Number 2 in public interest Senator Lucas
is the Democratic leader of the Upper House
and his elimination would necessarily be IN
terpreted as blow to the Truman Admins
tration Further, Statewide defeat for the
Truman Fair Dealers in Illinois would be
interpreted as meaning that the farmers
had gone back to voting Republican-after
their lapse in 1948. It would in other words,
not be encouraging to President Truman
and those of his supporters who wish MIN
to run again. When Gov. Dewey was carry
ing New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania,
big industrial States, last year, it was the
farm States that pulled Mr.. Truman
through.
Senator Lucas is definitely seeking renomi-
nation and reelection. That he can have
the Democratic nomination is as certain as
anything can be in politics. Everett McKin-
ley Dirksen, born in 1896, the year that
William Mckinley trimmed William Jen-
nings Bryan for the presidency looks now to
be almost as certain of the Republican nonli-
nation.
Already Campaigning.
Leaders in the Illinois Republican organiza.
ton say as much, and Mr.. D1rksen hmsen
already is campaigning vigorously. Neither
Curly Brooks nor Dick Lyons seemingly
is going to seek the nomination. Mr:
Brooks, who had one term as Senator and
was defeated last year by Senator Douglas.
Democrat. by a margin of 100000 votes.
seems to be as far out of the political pic
ture right now as former Governor Dwight
Green, who likewise was Overwhelmingly
beaten in l948. Mr.. Lyons was the Republic
can nominee against Senator Lucas in 1874.
and Mr.. Lucas won by 217,000 votes.
Mr.. Dirksen is an old hand at the political
game, though he has never run in State
wide contest for Congress before. He served
in the House for sixteen years, representing
the 10th district, down State" district.
He became one of its foremost speakers.
Because of trouble with his eyes, he de-
clined to run in 1948.
Several years ago, Mr.. Dirksen declared
himself a candidate for the Republican
presidential nomination. 1t was lone wou
proposition, for the Republican organlza-
ton in his State took little interest in his
campaign. However, Mr.. Dirksen won him
self lot of friends, not only in Illinois out
in other States.
The Republican organization is looking Tor
winners next year. Mr.. Dirksen seems reaoy
made, from their point Of view During his
speeches about the State, Mr.. Dirksen has
stressed the need for governmental economy
and he has been saying that it Is time this
country stopped draining itself of dollars
and goods to contribute to Europe and other
foreign nations.
Shift In Position.
The Democrats comment that this Is
shift in position for Mr.. Dirksen Vino during
the war years went along with the Roosevelt
foreign policy pretty well. However, there is
a growing sentiment In the Midwest along
the line of Mr.. Dirksen's thinking on this
subject. Not so much an isolationlst senll-
ment, however. as a desire to start saving
dollars in order to prevent an economic
debacle in this country. -:
Senator Lucas will be difficult man to
peat, no matter who the Republicans noini-
nate. He has won two elections to the
Senate, the first time in 1888. AT tnaV tiilie
he was completing two terms in the House.
A down Slater, too, he has been able to WIN
considerable support from Republicans. he
made himself solid with a lot of them when
he delivered q speech in the House in 1891
vigorously attacking President Franklin D.
Roosevelt's Supreme Court packing bill.
Notwithstanding the fact he is kept closely
in Washington by his duties as majority
leader, Senator Lucas gets word to Illinois
voters each week via the radio, over some rs
stations.
Here is contest in which the farm vote
will play tremendously important palt. II
the Republicans fail to convince the FARMERS
the COP is their friend, the jig will be up.