Evening star., 1952-10-31
Stevenson Press Corps
Wonders if Trip Had
Political Significance
By Crosby S. Noyes

ABOARD THE STEVENSON
TRAIN, Oct. 31.-There was spec
ulation among the Stevenson press
corps today on whether there was
any political significance to Gov.
Stevenson's decision to fly to the
scene of the prison riot in Illinois.
The riot was settled this morning
after the arrival of the Governor.
1t was nearly midnight when
word came that Gov. Stevenson
would break off his tour because
of trouble back home. Reporters.
gathered at a Pittsburgh hotel,
we're read a statement from the
candidate. announcing his plans
to make the trip.
Earlier, Gov. Stevenson had
conferred with his Lieutenant
Governor, Sherwood Dixon, tele-
phoning from Reading. Pa. After
his Pittsburgh speech, he talked
with Mr.. Dixon again and decided
to go.
In Chicago, early today, before
the settlement of the riot. Mr..
Dixon said this of the telephone
conferences:
Il told him there was nothing
he could do that couldn't do and
that did not want to pass the
buck to him"
State Is Critical One.
Illinios is rated as critical and
very dubious State in the coming
election. 1t is one that the Gov
ernor would like to win. not only
for its q electoral votes but also
for the psychological impact that
the result there might have. If
there was more to the decision
than the obvious fact that he is {
still Governor of Illinois. it was s
that his surprise trip could do the
candidate no harm, and possibly il
much good in his home State. {
On the other hand, there was
considerable discussion of the ef- |!
feet of the trip on Mr.. Dixon's {
political future. The Lieutenant {
Governor is the candidates hand {
picked successor. His prospects of {
winning his. race against William S
G Stratton, the present State /,
treasurer. are not bright. The talk
was that Gov. Stevenson's move to
take over from Mr.. Dixon in the
emergency might be fatal to his ,
already dim prospects. :
The Illinois diversion came at :
Q critical time in the campaign.
1t interrupted a tour which has
put the Democratic strategists in .
the most optimistic frame of mind !
they have shown for many days. !.
Much Needed Shot in the Arm. r
Gov. Stevensons trip through r
Pennsylvania has given local v
politicians a much-needed shot in c
the arm and has them talking /
boldly again of carrying the State
for the Democrats. Even less in h
terested observers are ready to \
concede that the Democratic cam s
paign seems to be coming to life s
fast in the closing days. @ s
Most impressive of yesterdays
stops was at Harrisburg, a city s
where the Republicans enjoy a /
heavy majority. The Governor n
drew an audience estimated at =
10000. Gov. John S. Fine, who
let State employees off to hear the
was roundly booed
when Gov. Stevenson tried to {
thank him. o
At Pittsburgh local reporters
pointed out what might have been !
a major tactical error. The q
Stevenson train was more than {
an hour late and televiSion Sched-
ules required revision of the y
announced parade a
route through the city. The :
result: The Governor stood up =,
crowd of some 100000 to make :
his broadcast on time.
New VigOr in Attack. t
The candidates speech at :
PittSburgh's Hunt Armory last !
night put the Democrats back on
the offensive after several days
Of parrying Republican campaign =
maneuvering on the Korean issue. o
The main theme was the one Fl
that the Democrats like best
And there was new O
vigor in the attack on the Re- o
publican Old Guard as a group C.
whose primary goal is ito make
the world safe for hypocrisy" Il
No issue except peace, the Gov s.
ernor said. lis more important to t,
lis all as individuals and as a il
Nation than whether our econ c
Omy is and will remain sound" c
The Democrats. he argued. had p
built safeguards into the econ il