Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-08-11
The Political Mill
Way Open for Mrs. Luce
To Join in Senate Race
Connecticut Seen Major battle-ground
In Congressional Elections
Bv Gould Lincoln

GREENWICH Conn, Aug. ll-Mrs
Clare Boothe Luce. Republican glamor girl in
a couple of Congresses and at several party
national conventions. definitely has not
closed the door on a proposal that she run
for the Senate next year. Nor has she said
she will. Her most recent dictum. directed
to the COP leaders in Connecticut, calls for
the selection of a strong Republican ticket.
When this has been done, then she will de-
cide-if she is needed to fill out that ticket.
Connecticut is to be ma or battle-ground
in the congressional elections-for two
United States Senators are 20 be elected, due
to the fact that Senator Mcmahon, Demo-
crat, comes up for reelection and Republi-
can Senator Baldwin is resigning the end OF
this year to accept Gov. Chester BoWleS'
appointment to the bench.
If Mrs. Luce runs for the Senate, the
Democrats are likely to put another woman,
Mrs Chase Going Woodhouse, in the race
against her. Gov. BoWles, it is rumored,
may appoint Mrs. Woodhouse. now men,
Der of the House of Representatives. to fill
the vacancy in the Senate when Senator
Baldwin goes out. This would give Mrs.
Woodhouse the advantage of running when
already a member of the Senate, with the
prestige that may bring her.
Mcmahon Tough to Beat
Senator Mcmahon has a large following
in this State and he will be tough man for
the Republicans to defeat. Gov. Bowles Is
expected to seek re-election-se two of the
principal places on the Democratic ticket
appear already filed Gov. BoWles, an ardent
New Dealer and Fair Dealer, won election
last year at time when the Republicans
were confident they could defeat him.
The Connecticut election, therefore, will
be holly contested. Gov. Bowles is one of
the crop of liberal Democrats who are
thinking longingly of 1852 and the Demo-
cratic national ticket, on the theory that
President Truman will have had enough by
that time and not be a candidate. If he is
to be in the picture. Gov. Bowles must win
reelection. There are signs that he has lost
ground with some of the voters. but he is still
regarded as the Democrats best bet. Or
ganiZed labor and the ADA will go all out for
him.
One of the main tasks for the Republicans
is the selection of an adequate nominee for
Governor. They may go outside the poll
ticians for their choice-and President Albert
N. Jorgenson of the University of Connect-
cut has been suggested. For the senatorial
nomination. besides Mrs. Luce, number of
potential candidates have been turned up.
Among them is Representative John Davis
Lodge, grandson of the late Senator Henry
Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts, and brother
of the present Senator Henry Cabot Lodge.
also of Massachusetts,. Mr.. Lodge has been,
a good vote-getter in his own district. He
bears a name widely known. and the novelty
Of having brothers in the Senate from adj
joining States may have its appeal.
Jobless Figures Watched.
Connecticut is heavily industrial State
Economic conditions in the country a year
from now may play. therefore. an important
part in the elections. Democrats have
watched with some apprehension rising I'M
employment in New England, and in Con-
necticut in particular
Mrs. Luce has been appealed to by Sena-
tor Brewster of Maine. chairman of the Re-
publican Senatorial Campaign Committee;
Representative joe Martin of Massachu-
sets. minority leader of the House. and Re-
publican National Committeeman for Con-
necticut Harold E. Mitchell to make the
race for Senator. She. however. has many
months in which to make up her mind So
widely is she known-and such a good cam
paigner-that delay would not injure her
chances.
When she retired from the House several
years ago. Mrs. Luce said she was through
seeking political Office. Nor would she heed
suggestions made to her at that time that
she make bid for the Senate. Since then
Maine has elected woman Senator, and
others will be knocking at the door.