Evening star., 1949-09-12
Special Pennsylvania
Election Tomorrow
is Preview Of 1850
By the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press
The outcome of a special Penn
sylvania election tomorrow may
go a long way toward shaping
campaign strategy for the 1850
congressional elections.
From the outside, the battle
looks close between Mrs. Ethel
Cofey, Democrat, and John P.
Saylor, Republican, for the con-
gressional post in the 26th dis
trict. Mrs. Coffey is seeking to
succeed her war hero son, Rep
resentative Robert L. Coffey, jr.,
who was killed in a plane crash
last spring. Mr.. Saylor is a
Johnstown lawyer and war vet
eran.
Personalities have almost been
swallowed, however, in what is
regarded as a strategy battle be-
tween the Republicans and DEM
ocratS.
Republicans have seized on
President Truman's announced
intention of taking a personal
part in the 1850 congressional
lstruggle. In the closing weeks
(of the campaign, they have been
concentrating their fire on the
President and on the Democratic
Congress.
Foes Try Labor Farm Merger.
Democrats, on the other hand,
have tried to bring about a we'd
ding of labor and farm voters in
a district where one county is
highly industrialized and two are
predominantly rural.
Mrs. Coffey, a matron of SIS,
has pitched her campaign on one
of President Truman's favorite
topics, proposed repeal of the
Taft Hartley Act.
Like many other members of
his party, Mr.. Saylor has been
talking about the "statism"-he
defines it as the "socialist-inspired
welfare state"-he said the Tru-
man administration wants to
bring about in this country.
Republicans held a 1000 margin
in registrations in a District rep
resented by a Republican since
1888, until Mr.. Coffey won last
fall. Democrats were credited
then with a much tighter organi-
zation.
All Agree On Close Vote.
Both sides agreed in advance
that the outcome is likely to be
close. Both were prepared to hail
a victory there as a sign of the
nationwide trend that could be ex-
pected next year.
The victorious side is likely to
regard it's campaign strategy as a
pattern for 1850 races.
There were indications, mean
while, the Democrats generally
expect to follow President Tru-
mans lead in shouldering what to
some of them might seem the bur-
densome record of the 81st Con-
gress.
In a Chicago speech Senator
Lucas of Illinois, the Democratic
leader, followed Mr.. Truman's cue
in praising the work of the Demo-
Gratis and in blaming the Repub-
licans for all of the delays and
defeats that the administration
has encountered.
Sees Steady Progress.
Senator Lucas told a weekend
gathering there that lone by one,
the important measures OF the
Democratic program are going
through Congress"
1--WE have the Republican lead
ers puzzled and weary" he said.
'They have no program to offer
the laboring man, the farmer and
small businessman.
1--WE have compelled them to
recognize the fact that they can
not hold back the tide Of progress
sive America. We have made them
realize that all their stalling, all
their clever maneuvers, all their
quibbling and delaying tactics
have been in vain"
To counter Republican conten-
tions that the administration is
bent on red ink spending, Senator
Lucas argued that Congress al
ready has cut nearly 100000 900
fro mthe budget.
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