Evening star., 1952-03-21
Kefauver Opens Fight
AGAINST Senator Kerr
In Nebraska Primary
Tennesseun Blusts Foe
As 'Stund-in' Candidate;
Test CoIIed Significant
By Gould Lincoln
Sfor Stdff Correspondenf

OMAHA, Nebr., Mar. 21.-As
Senator Kefauver, Democrat OF
Tennessee arrived in Nebraska to-
day, the race for the State support
for the Democratic presidential
nomination grew in intensity. He
is lined up against Senator Kerr,
of Oklahoma, and the result will
be significant.
If Senator Kerr loses in this
first test of public sentiment, his
political goose may be cooked and
Senator Kefauver, victor in New
Hampshire, will get another boost
The Tennessean lost little time
in opening up on his opponent
He described him as an "and-o1
candidate, or a "stand-in candi-
date" because Senator Kerr,
while saying he was a willing
candidate, let it be known he was
for President Truman if the Pres
ident decides to run.
Cites 2 Truman Vetoes.
"I'm not sure" said Senator
Kefauver at a press conference
here, whether his candidacy is
for the vested interests or for
the people"
He pointed out that Senator
Kerr had sponsored a natural gas
bill which Senator Kefauver said
would increase the gas bill of the
people by hundreds of millions
Of dollars-and President Tru-
man had vetoed it. He added that
Senator Kerr had favored a rail-
road bill which would have in
creased freight rates-and that
the President had also vetoed the
II come here at a disadvan-
tage," the Tennessean went on,
Il have the opposition of Quigley-
Boyle political machine, which is
lined up with Senator Kerr. 1t is
backed up with affluence and
financial means"
Senator Kefauver was referring
to reports there has been large
spending in the Kerr campaign
for advertising and radio time
Senator Kefauver added that the
only paid worker for him in Ne
braska was a part-time Office girl.
All the rest of the effort was
through volunteers, he said.
Kerr Flies East.
Senator Kerr completed a three
day tour of Nebraska early today
and flew to West Virginia. This
was his second three-day invasion
of Nebraska in two weeks. He
will return March 26 and ~, and
again for the final days of the
campaign which closes with the
primary election April /.
Senator Kerr has had good
crowds and his campaign manager
feels he has made an impression
They admit he was not widely
known in Nebraska. In his
speeches, the Senator advocated
farm aid and the same kind OF
legislation and political principles
which won for him in Oklahoma.
Kefauver Widely Known.
The Kerr people, however, are
worried over two things. First
the wide publicity which Senator
Kefauver had gained as chairman
of the Senate Crime Committee
which was shown here in moving
picture houses.
Second is the fact that Sen.
ator Kerr has been known ir
many quarters as stalking horse
for President Truman. They
have done their best to get this
idea out of the minds of the Ne
braska voters and to convince
them that Senator Kerr is a can
didate in his own right.
Senator Kefauver was asked al
his press conference if the write
in vote he received in Minnesots
was gratifying.
II did not know there was tx
be a write-in vote in Minnesota,
he replied, land no effort was
made by our people. It there
fore was a spontaneous vote anc
very encouraging"
His Minnesota vote was approx
imately 10000. about $4,000 vote.
back of the favorite-son candi.
date, Senator Humphrey.