Evening star., 1950-10-24
The Political Mil
The Political Mil
Vote in Eight Key States
To Fix Senate Control
Survey Indicates Democrats
To Gain Seat in Missouri
By Gould Lincoln

10 0uIn Seat IN missouri
By Gould Lincoln
CHICAGO, Oct. 24-Senatorial elec-
tions in eight key States of the West on
November will decide in large measure
whether the Democrats are to retain con-
troll OF the Senate in the new Congress.
A survey of the political campaigns
now being waged in those States, made
during the last three weeks, indicates
that unless there should be an unex-
pected Republican sweep, the net loss Of
Senate seats to the Democrats will not
exceed two, and that the loss might be
no more than one-or none at all.
The probabilities are that unless the
Republicans can make net gain of at
least four Senate seats, or three in the
unexpected event that Oklahoma should
elect Republican Senator, in these
eight States, the G. o. P. cannot hope to
control the upper House of Congress.
The Republicans must make a net gain
OF seven seats for Republican majority
in the Senate.
The States in question are Idaho,
Washington, California, Utah, Colorado,
Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin. The Re-
publicans appear to have the edge in
three OF these States now represented by
Democratic Senators. They are Idaho,
California and Utah. In all three, how
ever. the Democratic candidates are wag-
ing hard campaigns and in any one of
them might upset the Republican apple
cart. The Democrats, on the other hand,
appear to have the edge in one State
now represented by Republican
Missouri.
Magnuson Has Edge.
In Washington, Democratic Senator
Magnuson has the better chance against
his Republican opponent, Walter Will
Hams. Seattle businessman. Senator
Mllllkln of Colorado, president of the
Republican conference. Of the Senate, is
engaged In desperate battle for DO
htical survival. against Democratic Rep
resentative Carroll. The Iowa Senate seat
seems safe for incumbent Senator Hick-
enlooper. Republican. and Senator Wiley
OF Wisconsin appears destined to be re-
elected in Wisconsin.
Also. IN these States the Red" issue
raised by the Republicans will be tested
at the polls. That issue has ramifications
which range from charges of association
Win communists and Communication
organizations to appeasement and soft
ness py the Democratic Administration
toward Soviet Russia and toward Com
munists and fellow travellers in this coun-
Try. How deeply this issue has cut is
dltflcult to estimate-but it appears to
have effect.
Republican Representative Nixon Of
California, member of the House I'm
American Activities Committee, has
raised this issue particularly against Mrs.
Helen Gahagan Douglas, his colleague in
the House. They are opponents for the
Senate. But while Mr. Nixon is given
slight edge in this race, Mrs. Douglas is
making sustained and effective cam
palgn and the issue remains in doubt,
Pernaps even closer is the race between
senator Thomas of Utah, Democrat.
against Republican Wallace F. Bennett.
l949 president of the National Associa-
ton OF Manufacturers. Senator Thomas
is confident he will win.
Idaho to Elect Two.
Idaho elects two Senators this year.
one OF them to fill the four-year unex-
plred term Of the late Senator Bert
Miller Senator Dworshak, Republican.
who was appointed to fill the vacancy
until the election could be held, is given
the edge over his Democratic opponent.
Claude j. Burtenshaw. youthful pro-
lessor OF social science at Kicks College
II Senator Dworshak should win, and
former Senator Worth Clark, Democrat.
nominated for the seat now held by Sen
ator Glenn Taylor, should be defeated
oy Republican Herman Welker, the re-
suits will be net gain of one Republic
can Senator in that State. Mr.. Clark's
chances are not good.
Former Representative Hennings OF
MISSOURI. the Democratic nominee against
Senator Donnell, Republican. is reason
ably sure OF election. although Mr.. DON
- nell has been elected in the past both
Governor and Senator-after bitter intra.
party nights among the Democrats. Mis-
souri,. President Truman's home State.
went Democratic in big way in 1948.
Iowa. in measure. will test out senti-
ment on the Brannan Farm Plan-aI-
though this issue is not as clear as it
might have been had former Under
secretary OF Agriculture Albert j. Love-
land. Democrat, come out four-squ for
1t. He has SHE'D away from naming the
plan, although he praises major features
OF 1t. His opponent Senator Hicken-
looper, is expected to win.
The Democratic candidate in Wiscon.
sin, Attorney General Thomas E. Fair.
child, has rushed out to meet the RED"
issue challenge offered by the Republi-
cans. He is defending. in his campaigns
ing against Republican Senator Wiley,
both Secretary of State Acheson and the
rest Of the Truman Administration. The
fight there is given increased interest
because it was Senator Joe" Mccarthy
OF Wisconsin who launched the severest
attacks on Mr.. AcheSon and the State
Department on the ground of softness to
the Communists. Senator Mccarthy him.
self Is taking part in the campaign,
although he is not up for reelection this
year. for the Republican ticket. If he were
a candidate today to succeed himself he
would be reelected, even his detractors
in Wisconsin say.