Evening star., 1950-03-14
The Political Mil
Wisconsin Expected
To Reflect WiIey
Disinterest of Farmers
May Bring Close Fight
By Gould Lincoln


Wisconsin, which has elected only two
Democratic Senators since the turn Of
the century. may be expected to re-elect
Senator Wiley, Republican, next Novem-
Der, but not without battle. The Demo-
Gratis in Wisconsin were greatly encour-
aged by the results in 1948, when the
State turned in a majority for Presi-
dent Truman, most Unexpectedly. The
failure OF many Wisconsin farmers and
rural communities to vote Republican
caused the upset. If the farmers this year
continue off the Republican reservation,
1t may go hard with Senator Wiley.
Farmers in the summer and fall Of
l948 were taught to believe that if the
Republicans came into power, their
prices would fade and their price sup
ports would be diminished. AS it happens,
the Democrats Won-and still the farm
prices have shrunk. and the farmers fear
that the system of price supports is be-
coming more and more unpopular. The
Democratic high command hopes to off,
set these disappolntments to the farmers
oy It's promises OF better prices to the
farmers under the Brannan plan, with its
production payments system.
More Democratic Vitality.
The Democratic organization in Wis
consin has more vitality, due to the
activities of a lot of younger men and
women, some of them former La Toilette
Progressives. than it has had in years,
the Republican organization, which
really went to town under the leader
snip OF Tom Coleman, has been pretty
apathetic since its unexpected defeat two
years ago.
Senator Wiley is seeking a third term
IN the Senate. He is the ranking Re-
publican member of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee after Senator Van
denberg OF Michigan. So far no serious
opposition to his denomination by the
Republicans has developed Gov Renne-
bohm, who might give him a race, is
believed to be pretty sure to seek re-
election as Governor.
On the theory that the trend in the
State Is Democratic and that Senator
Wiley might be an easy man to knock
on, at least four potential candidates
have already cropped up. Thomas Fair
child, attorney general and the only
Democratic State officer, appears to have
the organizations support. William
Sanderson, secretary to Representative
Hull. Republican. is tossing his hat in
the ring. Mr.. Sanderson is a former
Progressive, as was Mr.. Hull.
Dilweg Seeks Seat.
Former Representative Dilweg, who
served one term in the House half a
dozen years ago, is anxious, too, to get
the senatorial nomination. He was
widely known as a member of the Green
Bay Packers championship football team
And finally there is Dan Hoan, who was
for many years Socialist Mayor of Mil
waukee. Mr.. Dilweg is shouting that he
is the only proper Democrat of the lot
that Mr.. Fairchild is son of Judge
Fairchild of the State Supreme Court
and was elected by Republican votes.
Carl Thompson, Democratic national
committeeman for Wisconsin, Is threat
ening to get into the race for Governor
against Gov. Rennebohm. Mr.. Thomp-
son is liberal Democrat. "
There is an up-and-coming group OF
young Democrats in the State who for
several years have been making play
for the old La Toilette Progressives on
the theory that the Democratic Party
offers the only outlet for Progressivism.
They are meeting now with some success.
When Gov. Dewey of New York car
ried Wisconsin in the presidential race
for Gov Dewey and 650,413 for Presi-
dent Roosevelt, or combined vote Of
1,324,945. But when President Truman
carried the State against Gov. Dewey in
1948, the Truman vote was 6473l0 and
the Dewey vote, 500, 1857, a total vote of
l.228,269. Mr.. Truman received about
5000 less votes than did President
Roosevelt, and Gov. Dewey received
nearly AZ 0nn less than he did In 1oAA
Apparently a lot of Republican voters
stayed away from the polls. If they
come out this year, Democratic hopes
may be smashed The new oleomar-
garine law, taking the tax of that
product, is not helping Democrats in the
State which produces one-eighth Of the
milk in the country.