Evening star., 1952-10-24

INTO eStlmateS OF now 223 OF the
254 Texas counties will go, still
can't call the shot for the State
as a whole. Voters are being pulled
in two directions:
Toward the Democratic ticket
by depression fears, Uncle Sans
help with a disastrous drought,
traditional loyalty to the party.
Toward the G. o. P. by the tide
lands and civil rights issues and
what the Republicans say is "cor-
ruption and mismanagement by
the Truman gang"
Florida (10).
Still a standoff, with missing
counties expected to just about
cancel a lead credited to Gen. Eli
senhoWer in counties for which
estimates came in. Effects of visits
from the candidates-the first in
history for Florida-just about
cancelled out, too.
Soundings in 40 Of 81 counties
with SO per cent of the registered
voters included nine polls. Seven
gave an edge to the general, two
favored Gov. Stevenson-and all
the editors were more conserva-
tive in their estimates than were
the poll results.
Newsmen figured Gen. Eisen-
hover had gained in at least 16
counties by reason of hard work
by the G. o. p, help from Demo-
Gratis for Eisenhower Clubs, reper-
cussionS from Truman attacks,
Democratic dissension. They esti-
mated Gov. Stevenson had moved
ahead in 10 counties, on account
OF such factors as the Taft-Eisen-
hover association, a lessening of
Eisenhower glamor, Democratic
voting traditions.
Louisiana (1O).
A question mark, but the
q. o. P. definitely has a chance.
Louisiana remains doubtful be-
cause Gen. Eisenhower is believed
to have an edge, Gov. Stevenson
is regarded as climbing, and New
Orleans is a big blank spot in the
picture. New Orleans newspapers
preferred not to participate in the
survey.
Outside New Orleans, which has
about one fourth of the States
voting strength. Gen Eisenhower
is favored in most cities. But his
position as a whole evidently has
weakened bit as Gov. Stevenson
has crept up in farming and rural
territory.
Powering the Stevenson pickup
is the feeling that a lot of fam
lilies, Democratic for generations
are going to stay that way, plus
improvements in Democratic Or
ganization. Editors are split on
whether the Democratic nominee
hurt or helped himself by sticking
by the party platform on civil
rights and holding out against
State ownership of the tidelands.
South Carolina (S).
Gen. Eisenhower's campaign
dash into South Carolina and his
Endorsement by Gov. James F..
Byrnes have produced a decided
swing to the G. o. P. But it still
wasn't enough, as of mid-October,
to nudge the State out of the
Democratic column.
Much Of the city vote is re-
garded as in the Eisenhower cor
raj and the bulk of the farmers.
Negroes and textile workers an
pear lined up behind Gov. Ste
venson.
Editor James L. Platt of the
Myrtle Beach News forecasts like
will carry the county and State"
If the weather Is wet, on the
theory that:
"The Ike forces will vote in any
weather. Old-line Democrats will
not put out too much effort at the
polls"
Virginia (12).
Whoever wins apparently will
just squeak through to victory.
with a shift of q few thousand
votes capable of turning the elec-
ton either way.
The mid-October survey indi-
Gates Gov. Stevenson still holds
an edge, as he did around Labor
Day. But most estimates came in
before Senator Harry Byrd an
nounced last Friday he couldn't
indorse the Stevenson-Sparkman
ticket.
Oklahoma (S).
An increase in Eisenhower sem
timent has spread generally
through the State, but the surge
hasn't been large enough to
threaten Gov. stevenson's hold
at the moment.
OF II counties, one is considered
a tossup, while editors expect So
to go Democratic, "a Republican.
AS newsmen see it, the interplay
Of issues is working out like this:
Gen. Eisenhower gets a boost from
his personal popularity, active
young Republicans, concern over
Korea, unhappiness among farm
ers, President Truman's tough
campaigning against him. Gov.
Stevenson is helped by Mr.. Tru-
man, more punch in the Demo-
cratic campaign, wearing off of
Eisenhower glamor, Government
aid to farmers, prosperity, the
Eisenhower Taft alliance.
Tennessee (1D.
Substantial Eisenhower gains in
the last five weeks have moved
Tennessee into the doubtful class,
with Gov. Stevenson holding a
slight edge. The general leads in
four of nine congressional dis
tricts, whereas in the first survey
he was ahead in only two.