Evening star., 1950-03-27
Rep. Smathers Given
Good Chance 10 Beat
Pepper in Primary
Intensive Campaign
Conducted by Both
In May Z Election
By David Laurence

BY David Laurence
I'll MIAMI, Fla. Mar. 27.-This pri-
mary campaign in Florida between
two Democrats is leading up to
the first really important election
since the British voters went to
the polls few weeks ago.
While May 2 is election day,
Florida has already been sub
jected to an intensive canvass by
both Senator Pepper and his
opponent. Represe ent tive
Smathers.
The issues are very much the
same as might be fought out in
any Northern State with the sole
exception of the controversy over
civil rights. Here the merits OF
socialized medicine or its equiva-
lent are extolled by Senator
Pepper as Representative Smath-
ers, accuses the Senator Of want
ing to introduce socialism.
Here. also, the outcry against
Senator Pepper is that he has
played ball with Henry Wallace
and the Communists. The candi-
dates are hitting hard at each
other and the lineup is very
much that which one would ex-
pect In any straight-out fight be-
tween conservatives and radicals.
For Repeal of Taft Act.
Senator Pepper is for repeal of
the Taft Hartley Act. and Repre-
sentative Smathers, who voted for
it. is in favor OF its retention.
So the labor unions are behind
Senator Pepper and fighting Mr..
Smathers. 1t must be remem-
bered that this State, before the
passage of the Hartley Act,
adopted a constitutional amend
ment prohibiting the closed shop.
Unions are not at all popular
hereabouts.
Senator Pepper is also for COM
pulsory health insurance. and Mr..
Smathers says it would socialize
the medical profession. Mr..
Smathers denounceS deficit spend
ing, and Senator Pepper says it's
all due to the war.
The Senator is being attacked as
favoring the proposal for a Fair
Employment Practices Commits
sion. and Smathers is insisting
that it would mean that employers
which means farmers mostly in
this State-will not be able to hire
whom they please. In the South
the FEPC is considered the enter
ing wedge to possible Negro DOM
nation.
The two candidates are talking
every day and touring every part
OF the State. Miami is the home
area Of Mr.. Smathers, who Is con-
ceded to be an unusually strong
candidate. Senator Pepper, In his
last three elections, has not had
the formidable opposition he is
getting today.
Not only are some Of Senator
Peppers former lieutenants fight
ing him. but the Senator appar-
entity has made the mistake of
tying himself In the last few years
to so many causes unpopular in
this State that he has accumulated
the kind Of political enmities
which always make it difficult to
retain . good political organi-
xation.
Artful Campaigner.
Everybody admits, however. that
1t Is bit early to count the
Senator out, as he is strong in
the final stretches of his cam
paigns. He Is an excellent speaker
and artful as a campaigner.
George Smathers represents
everything that the younger gen.
Grafton could want as q candidate.
He Is 36 years old and good look
ing. He had a fine war record
with the Marines in the Pacific
and has served splendidly in the
House OF Representatives.
He could have been reelected
to his House seat easily, but chose
to make the race against Senator
Pepper because he felt this was
the psychological time to acquaint
the voters of Florida with the
fundamentals that are rocking the
country-the fight between q So
cialistic trend enormously called
liberalism" and the preservation
OF a solvent government which can
pay for social reforms only II it
retains a sound economic base.
Most of the newspapers Of the
State have declared for Mr..
Smathers, but Senator Pepper is
not without his staunch supporters
In nearly all groups. Because of
his successes heretofore, informed
political folks are a bit cautious
about making any predictions.
Certainly. the southern end of the
State lis bound to give Mr..
Smathers an overwhelming vote
and they talk confidently at the
newspaper Offices of q Smathers
victory.
This correspondent will report
tomorrow on the situation In the
northern part Of Florida.
(Reproduction riehts reserysd.)