Evening star., 1950-03-04
The Political Mill
California and Colorado
Tiffs to Aid G. 0. P.
Downey-Mrs. Douglas Row
Won't Help Democrats
Bv Gould Lincoln

Senator Downey, Democrat. of Cali
fornia has failed to clear the track for
the nomination of Mrs. Helen Gahae<S
Douglas by the Democrats of California
for the Senate-and Gov. Knous Of
Colorado, Democrat by accepting a
Federal judgeship appointment, has al
most cinched the Democratic senatorial
nomination in his State for Representa-
tive Carroll Republicans are shedding
no tears.
The contest between Mrs Douglas and
Senator DoWney, which will culminate
in the primary election in California
June 6. is not calculated to help the
Democrats in November. Gov. Knous,
as potential Democratic senatorial
nominee to run against Senator Milllkln,
Republican. next November. has been a
serious threat to Republican hopes in
Colorado
Like the King of France, Senator
Downey walked up the hill and then
walked down again. On one day he
issued a statement indicating he would
not be a candidate to succeed himself
giving as his reason he did not think
he could perform his duties in WASH
ington and make the race for renomina-
tlOn and reelection.
Forty-eight hours later he announced:
II am a candidate for reelection
make this decision with enthusiasm to
meet all who may challenge my record
and with the honest conviction I shall
win the race"
Nixon Due to Benefit.
Because of the cross-filing system in
primary elections in California whereby
the Democratic candidates file also for
Republican nominations and vice versa,
Representative Nixon, Republican, who
is seeking the senatorial nomination in
California will benefit through the
divided vote for Mrs Douglas and Sena-
tor Downey. If Mr. Nixon has no Republic
can opposition. this advantage will be
all the greater. Judge Fred Hauser, Of
the Superior Court of Los Angeles, for
mer lieutenant governor with Gov Earl
Warren-regarded as politically ambi-
tious-may get into the race for the
Republican senatorial nomination. That
point will be cleared up, however, when
the actual filing of candidates gets under
way March 8. The final filing date iS
April 7.
Mrs. Douglas is already in the State,
beating the bushes. The former stage
and opera star has the following of the
more radical wing Of the Democrats,
and Senator Downey, although at one
time ham and egger," the less radical
wing of the Democratic Party. 1t is
said Mrs Douglas is grabbing of some
of the labor support which used to be
Mr.. Downey's.
Senator Downey in recent years has
been engaged in a bitter battle with
the Commissioner of Reclamation,
Michael w. Strauss over Central Valley
and it's irrigation system. Mrs. Douglas
and other wingers charge that Sen
ator Downey has sold out to private
power and agricultural interests. For
his part, Senator Downey insists that
there has been a conspiracy in Wash
ington to control the valley.
Truman on Sidelines.
President Truman is not going into
California during his May "non-p political"
swing to the Pacific Coast 1t looks as
though he were going to wait out this
row in the Democratic ranks. He did
not permit Senator DoWney to use the
White House steps to announce his can
didacy-when the Senator had planned
to visit the President. The projected
visit, it is reported. was cancelled by the
White House.
Representative Carroll, the Denver
left-Winger, may have his troubles. 1t
is one thing to carry Denver and an
other to carry Colorado. Senator john
ston Democrat, has been able to win
because of the considerable conservative
support, some of it from Republicans.
he has commanded. That's not the kind
of support that will go to Mr.. Carroll.
Senator Millikin, who has been twice
elected. will be no pushover. In fact.
he has become recognized as one Of the
ablest Senators.
Senator johnson strongly recommend
ed and fought for the appointment OF
Gov. Knous to the Federal Bench.
He will undoubtedly support the Demo-
cratic ticket this fall-but that he will
tear his shirt for Representative Carroll
Is another question.