Evening star., 1950-10-26
Elections Could PIoy Hob
With Senate Leadership
o'Mohoney Likely Choice
If Lucas Meets Defeat
The Political Mill
By Gould Lincoln

By Gould Lincoln
COLUMBUS Oct. 26.-The coming
senatorial elections could play hob with
Democratic and Republican leadership
In the upper house of Congress.
Senator Lucas Of Illinois, Democratic
leader, and the assistant Democratic
leader, Senator Myers Of Pennsylvania.
are both engaged in desperate struggles
Senator Taft Of Ohio, chairman of the
Republican Policy Committee Of the Sen
ate, and Senator Eugene D. Millikin Of
Conference of the Senate, also have
severe contests on their hands.
AS Of today, 1t appears that Senator
Lucas has more than an even chance Of
winning reelection, although he Is
pressed hard by his Republican opponent,
former Representative Everett M. Dirk
sen. On the other hand, Senator Myers
has less-perhaps much less-than an
even chance to survive his race against
Gov. Duff, his Republican opponent.
The Republican leader of the Senate
Gas Senator Taft undoubtedly Is, al
though the floor leadership of the party
is in the hands Of Senator Wherry Of
Nebraska) is more than likely to be re-
elected. Senator Millikin, running against
Democratic Representative John A. Car
roll is pretty much of an even bet, al
though in some quarters he is given q
slight edge.
Factors Of Decision.
These estimates, however, could be
wrong, depending largely on whether the
voters are sufficiently resentful against
the Truman administration, the Korean
war and the draft, high prices and high
taxes. Against these facts, which may
work for the Republicans, are great en-
ployment, good business, good prices for
raw products, and the resentment of
organized labor against the Taft-Hartley
Act.
In the event both Senator Lucas and
Senator Myers are knocked off by the
Republicans in their respective States,
there Is an interesting speculation re-
garding their successors as Democratic
leaders of the Senate. Senator Lucas
was chosen majority leader of the Sen
ate in place of Alben NJ Barkley of Ken
lucky when the latter became Vice
President. The Vice President took over
Senate leadership in the late 3OS, on the
death of the late Senator Robinson of
Arkansas.
The Lucas selection was made by
skipping over many Democrats senior in
length of service, including Senators Nc
Kellar of Tennessee. George of Georgia,
Hayden of Arizona, Tydings of Maryland,
Connally of Texas Russell of Georgia,
Bryd of Virginia. O'Mahoney of Wyom-
ing, Murray of Montana, Chavez of New
Mexico, Pepper of Florida (who will not
be member of the next Congress-, Ell
lender of Louisiana, Green of Rhode Is
land. johnson of Colorado. Hill of Ala
bama and Downey of California (who is
not running for re-election).
In view Of the Truman civil rights pro-
gram, 1t seems unlikely that the leader
ship mantle Of the Democrats would
fall on the shoulders of any Southern
Democrat. They all resist violently this
program. Also. many Of them are not
IN favor OF other items Of the Truman
Fair Deal.
OMahoney Likely Choice.
Senator O'Mahoney of Wyoming ap-
pears to be most likely choice for ma
jority leader. He might have been a
real contender when Senator Lucas was
chosen had he wished to make q con-
test. And In place Of Senator Myers,
the Democrats might turn to any one
OF number Of younger and active
Democratic Senators, among them Nc
Mahon OF Connecticut Gf he survives in
the coming elections), Anderson of New
Mexico, Douglas of Illinois, and Ke-
fauver Of Tennessee.
In case Of a Taft defeat, there would
be an inevitable clash between the So
called Young Turks among the Repub-
licans, led by Senator Lodge of Massa-
chusetts and Senator Ives of New York,
for the Craftsmanship of the Policy Com
mittee, and the more conservative group
including Senator Wherry and Senator
Bricker Of Ohio.
Senator Lodge at the beginning of the
present Congress challenged Mr.. Taft
for the Policy Committee chairmanship
and while he was defeated by a con-
siderable margin, he might well be the
selection OF the more progressive Re-
publicans for the post in the new Con-
gress. Senators Ives of New York and
knoWland OF California, both of whom
nave made their mark in the upper
house, might also be in line for special
preferment.
Indeed, defeat for Senators Taft and
Millikin, If it comes, would be a signal
for new demand for a more liberal
Republican leadership of the Senate:
for new faces. Both Senators Taft and
Mllllkin belong to the more conserva-
tive wing of the Senate Republicans.
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