Evening star., 1949-11-15
The PoiiticoIM

Democratic Chiefs Predict
Truman Program Passage
Fair Dealers Now Plan to Challenge
: G. o. P. Stronghold in Massachusetts,
By Gould Lincoln
Democrats. encouraged by the defeat Of
Senator John Foster Dulles, Republican. in
New York, and gains in some municipal elec-
tions, now are predicting both the passage
Of the Truman domestic program-natio1al
health insurance, etc.-at the coming ses-
sion Of the 81st Congress and the election
Of more strongly Fair Deal" Congress next
year. The first test will come when Congress
reassembles in January.
Certainly the Democratic victories did
nothing to hinder the Presidents program
In Congress. On the other hand, had Mr..
Dulles defeated Senator-elect Herbert H.
Lehman, Democrat. the effect on that pro-
gram would have been disastrous. Demo-
cratic leaders argue, and with some reason,
that the members Of the House, who must
all stand for reelection next year-and the
members Of the Senate, one-third Of whom
are up for re-election-may hesitate to op-
pose the President. However, the members
Of the Republican-Democratic informal coa-
htion against Taft-Hartley repeal, national
health Insurance. the Brannan farm plan
and new large-spending proposals, have
shown themselves strongly opposed to these
Truman proposals-and they may not bend
the knee now. Further, If and when tho
President proposes an increase in taxes,
these presidential opponents might let it 60
through, believing that will be one sure way
to wreck Truman hopes for strongly
Democratic Congress after the 1850 elec-
tions.
Fair Dealers Cocky.
There Is no gainsaying. however, the cocki-
ness of the Truman Fair Dealers. They are.
it is reported, even planning to challenge the
Republicans in the sixth Massachusetts, con-
gressional district, when special election
is held there this winter to fill vacancy
caused by the death Of the late Representa-
tive Bates, Republican. This district has
been strongly Republican since Hector was
q pup. Mr.. Bates carried it seven times
and in 1948 the Democrats did not even put
q candidate in the field against him. This
may have been due in part to the fact that
Democrats in the summer and fall Of 1948
believed they had no chance In the national
elections.
The Democrats can scarcely expect to
win a special election In the Bates district,
but they may hope to show falling of Of
Republican strength. In 1916, Mr.. Bates
Democratic opponent, and in 1914, with
lead Of 44.274. In other words, Mr.. Bates
had about 10 per cent of the total vote cast.
Among the Democrats being considered for
nomination are State Senator John w. Cod
daire Of Haverhill second largest community
in the district, and former Mayor Donald
Ross Of Gloucester. The first Republican to
announce his candidacy was County Com
missioner c. r. Nelson Pratt of Saugus.
uyI,n iy,rl CfofA
Senator Christopher A. Phillips Of Beverly.
and former State Senator J. Elmer Callahan
of Salem and AL Cole Of Lynn.
Eisenhower Draft Talk.
One Of the effects Of the recent New York
elections have had in Republican circles II
an increase In the talk Of drafting Gen.
Dwight D. Eisenhower. president Of Colum-
bia University, for the COP presidential
nomination In 1852. Those who favor this
plan believe that only by picking nationally
known and popular figure can the Republi-
cans have q chance Of victory and they
point to the fact that the Denaocrats--in
their supposed extremity last year-sought
to draft Gen. Eisenhower and he would have
no part Of = Democratic presidential nom
! nation. lin e 1e@1a1 s@tzs 2 =
Even now. however. Gen. Eisenhower has
made no public statement regarding his po-
Mtical sympathies, and he continues to hold
Q1ulScu 8lOOI 1IOWl peT LlSSu pOutiCS IaS olos
however, make q significant, middle-of the
road speech last summer which was inter-
preted as hostile to the extreme program
Of Mr.. Truman.
A lot viii depend upon what happens in
the 1850 congressional elections. II Senator
Taft Of Ohio is reelected his stock as
potential presidential nominee will advance
materially. Should he be defeated, the cry
will go up more strongly than ever for Gen.
f<tv~ fna IpeA~ INw&k
Stassen of the University Of Pennsylvania. or
Gov. Driscoll who has Just been reelected
in New Jersey. An overwhelming Democrats
victory at the polls in the congressional
campaign could also have its effect on Gen.
Eisenhower and his reactions to q presi-