Evening star., 1950-10-01

That "red-haired preacher
down in Oklahoma has corridor
observers and Capitol newsmen in
Washington guessing hard. His
torically, the fiery, young Okla
homa City minister and Repub-
lican senatorial nominee hasn't a
chance, but "numerologically" hes
a cinch.
Veteran forecasters of elec-
tions on the Hill" have now
abandoned old-fashioned poll
taking to foresee the winning can
didates. They have now resorted
to bit of hokus-pokus, a smat-
terlng Of numerology, and the use
of f1rst-grade arithmetic to de-
termine the success or failure of
senatorial candidates.
If candidate with six letters
In his surname seeks a Senate
seat this year he inevitably ends
up a lame or dead duck. So far
this year, each Senator who failed
to gain reelection has six-let-
tered last names: Pepper, Gurney,
Thomas of Oklahoma. Graham
and Taylor.
The lone successful Senator in
this category was Carl Hayden of
Arizona. He has the six letters.
but so did his opponent, Miller.
In case of a tie, the 'in" candi-
date has the advantage, advo-
Gates of this new science" ex-
plain.
Poll-takers predicted the defeat
of incumbent Senator Tobey in
the New Hampshire election, but,
by applying "numerology" Capt.
tol forecasters were unable to give
Senator Tobey's opponent. Wesley
Powell, a half chance. A six-letter
candidate just can't beat a FIVE
letter opponent this year.
Four-letter candidates for the
Senate have an easy race, at
least Senator Taft hopes so after
watching the remarkable success
of other Senators such as Hill,
Hoey and Long. This trio won
by wide margins. But the trend
further points out that the can
didates with eight or more letters
in their last names lose only to
one with more letters.
Nine Letter Favorite
All this points out that Alex
ander (nine letters) has the
edge over his formidable Demo-
cratic nominee, veteran Oklahoma
House member, Mike" Monroney
(eight). This theory is strength
ened by the virtual walk-away
Senator Bourke Blakemore Hick-
enlooper enjoyed in the Iowa
primary.
AS matter of fact, however.
old-faShioned observers of Okla
homa politics-who never heard
of numerology-agree that the
Sooner State may choose its third
Republican Senator since state
hood, in November.
But historically, the colorful
minister-politician has no prece-
dent for his election to the Senate
and this upper body Of Congress
honors precedent. Veteran SEN
ate employees, all with a half
century or more of service, cannot
recall when a regularly ordained
minister has served in the Senate
chamber.
James A. Garfield was elected
to the Senate by his State Legis-
1ature. but never served. Senator
Brinker. now serving from Ohio,
was ordained for period of two
years in 1917 to enable him to
serve as an Army chaplain. High
officials of the Mormon and other
denominations have been SEN
ators. but never a professional,
ordained minister.
With precedent canceling out
"numerology." the Oklahoma SEN
aVorial contest may have to be
determined at the polls by the
voters in the usual manner. But
usual" politics is rarely practical
In this State.
Mr.. Alexander is new twist in
the political pattern-even in
Oklahoma's rough and tumble
brand of electioneering. He is the
newest thing on the political mar
ket, and his consumed acceptance
cannot be measured or guessed
THE Preacher" is 35 and one of
the Southwest's greatest showmen
New at politics, he entered the race
as a Democratic candidate latter
wrestling with myself and spend
ing night on my knees ir
prayer" His congregation and the
entire State waited dramatically
for the announcement for weeks
His wealthy congregation pro-
vides him with personal airplane
so that he can fulfill speaking en-.
gagements in all parts of the Ma.
ton and return home in time fol
Sunday services. It is estimated
he earns $18, 900 each year through
out-of-State speaking engagements
in addition to his $4,000 {
year as pastor of the First Chris
tian Church in Oklahoma City.
Mr.. Alexander is a favorite o
luncheon and civic groups. HI
can make speeches or play parlol