Evening star., 1950-10-17
The Political Mill
The Political Mill
COP Hopefully CIings
To Red Issue in West
IF Successful, Republicans
Can Pick Up a Senate Seats
By Gould Lincoln


Red issue" is being worked to a fare
you-well by the Republicans in number
of key senatorial elections in the States
of the Far West-in California, Wash
ington, Idaho and Utah. If it proves sue
cessful, the COP can pick up four Sen
ate seats in those States now held by
Democrats.
The so-called RED issue" covers a
wide range, running from charges of
association with Communists and Com
munist-front organizations, "appease-
ment" of Soviet Russia since the close
of the second World War, and tenderness
toward Communist sympathizers in Gov
ernment agencies particularly the State
Department, to the responsibility of
the Roosevelt and Truman administra-
tions for Red China and the present
war in Korea.
The Republicans in making their
charges do not overlook, either, Presi-
dent Truman's two-year-old Red her.
ring" statements and the Alger Hiss case.
Most virulent are the Red charges
directed at Mrs. Helen Gahagan Douglas,
Democratic nominee for the Senate
against Republican Representative Rich
ard M. Nixon, member of the House
Committee on Un-American Activities.
Mrs. Douglas denies fatty any regard
for Communists, but still they pile it
on her. With the present feeling in the
country about Communists and commu-
n1sm she has an uphill fight.
Roosevelt Escapes Burden.
Her running mate on the Democratic
ticket, James Roosevelt, candidate for
Governor against Gov. Warren, has
escaped SO far the burden of this Red
issue. but is given only an outside chance
in his race. Gov. Warren is satisfied
with running on his record as an ad-
ministrator, and seeks both Democratic
and Republican support. Further, it
would be difficult to plaster Roosevelt
with the Communist label.
Four years ago, the State Of Wash
ington had the reputation of being a
hotbed of communism. Former Repre-
sentative Hugh Delacy. Democrat, was
shining example of the fellow traveller
Today, the Republicans are seeking to
pin Red labels on number of the Demo-
cratic candidates, particularly on Senator
Magnuson, whom they charge with hav-
ing told Democratic State convention
years ago-that political party can
not fly on one wing" "I1l be called a
Communist tomorrow" he is quoted as
saying at the time. Tomorrow is here
today.
Representative Mitchell, Democrat, also
is under ATTACK as having associated
with Communists. Senator Magnuson is
expected to win reelection, although the
Republicans have not given up by long
shot and claim that Walter Williams, a
mortgage banker in Seattle, their candi-
date. is moving to the front. Mr.. Mitchell,
opposed by an exceedingly popular wom-
an Republican, Mrs. F. F. Powell, is
having a tough time.
Senator Thomas of Utah, Democrat,
seeking his third term in the Senate,
is the latest candidate in these parts to
be charged with front organization af-
f1liations and sympathy toward Soviet
Russia. Senator Thomas is a member
of the Mormon Church, and he says
that charging a Mormon with being
Communistic makes no more sense than
bringing such a charge against mem
Der of the Catholic Church.
Opposed by Ex-NAM Head.
He is opposed by Republican Wallace
F. Bennett, president of the National
Association of Manufacturers in 1949.
Mr. Bennett insists that while he does
not believe that Mr.. Thomas is a Com
munist, the Senator has in the past as
sociated himself with front organiza-
tions and has written sympathetically
about conditions in Russia under the
Soviet regime. Mr.. Thomas, who had
lost ground with his constituents be-
cause of long absences is making a
hard fight to come back. Both sides
claim victory-and much is going to de-
pend on how the voters feel about the
Red issue with its many ramiflcations.
defeat for Mr.. Thomas, chairman of
the Senate Labor Committee, committed
to repeal of the Taft-Hartley law, would
be blow to organized labor and it is
working hard for his reelection.
In Idaho. Senator Taylor, Henry Wal
lace's running mate on the Progressive
presidential ticket in 1948, might have
been prize Red target for the Repub-
licans, but he was defeated in the pri-
mary. That has not prevented, however.
the Republicans from laying down an
antl-Red barrage against Claude j.
BurtenShaw, the Democratic nominee
against Senator Dworshak, Republican.
Burtenshaw is 34-year- r-old professor
of political science at Ricks College in
Rexburg.
In this race the Republicans are
be verdict in support of an adminis-
tration which has been wrong again and
again in its dealings with Russia and
which has brought about Red China
and the Korean war. The Red issue is
scarcely involved at all in the other
Idaho senatorial race. Former Senator
Worth Clark, a conservative Democrat,
noSed out Senator Taylor in the primary
election by about 900 votes. He is given
little chance to win against Republican
Herman Walker.
This Red issue has had Democrats on
the defensive. They have received q
great lift, however, from victories In
Korea. And they believe that President
Trumans dramatic dash to Wake Island
to talk things over with Gen. Macarthur
and his San Francisco address will go
far to nullify the Red issue in the
elections.
Dy FuIIs