Evening star., 1952-06-28
The Political Mill
Opposition in Primary
Assured for Nee Corthy
Uphill Fight Facing Sehmitt
As Senator Is Widely Backed
By Gould Lincoln

Senator Joe Mccarthy of Wisconsin,
whose claim to fame rests on his relent-
less attacks on the State Department,
has now been assured of fighting op-
position in the Republican senatorial
primary September 9. Len Schmitt,
an attorney of Merrill, Wis, has for
mally tossed his hat in the ring. Mr..
Schmitt will rally to his support all
Republicans in the Badger State who
do not like Senator Mccarthy. In ad-
dition, under the free-style primary
system which exists in Wisconsin, he
may get the support of Democrats and
certainly of many of the old Progress
sives.
Nevertheless, it will be tough. up
hill fight against Senator Mccarthy.
The Republican Senator. in his first
term in the Upper House. has become
more widely advertised than any other
f1edgling Senator for years. good
deal Of this advertisement has been ad-
verse. But on the whole, many of the
voters in Wisconsin and in other States
have come to regard him as a man
who fought through thick and thin to
get the Reds and fellow travellers out of
the State Department. It makes no
dltterence to them when they are told
that Senator Mccarthy was not respon-
SlDle Tor the ouSting and jailing of Alger
Hiss, and that his widespread charges
have produced a minimum of result.
They are not interested in details. Joe is
their boy because he grabbed the anti
Communist ball and ran with it.
Backed by Organization.
Further, at the recently held Repub-
llcan State convention in Wisconsin.
Joe Mccarthy was overwhelmingly in
dorSed for denomination. In fact, he
got the big hand from these Republi-
can organization people-surpassing the
applause given Gov. Kohler, a greatly
popular and successful Governor who.
too, is seeking denomination and re-
election. This puts the Republican
organization-and what is more i'm
portant, its funds-squarely back OF
Senator Mccarthy in his fight for re-
nomination.
Mr.. Schmitt, like Senator Mccarthy.
is Catholic. He has a good name tn
run with in State which has a large
German-American population. He is
not new TO politics and is hard fighter.
Two years ago he ran for the Republi-
can guoernatorial nomination against
IoV' konler and, without any organized
Support-tor the Governor had it all
received 10000 votes in the primary.
Mr. Schmltt is war veteran, enlisting
as private. later attending the Field
Artillery Officers Training School at
Fort Sill. He saw service overseas in
Italy and was relieved from active duty
IN December. 1945, as a captain.
In MS announcement of candidacy.
just made, MIR. Schmitt listed 10 points
OF attack which he proposes to make on
senator Mccarthy. Among his charges
are: That Senator Mccarthy has voted
IN support of the Kerr natural gas bill
Tor the tidelands Oil bill, and that he
sold book on housing to the IIlstron
Corporation for $4,000 when he (Sena-
Tor Mccarthy was sitting as a member
OF the Senate Banking and Currency
subcommittee investigating RFC loans
10 Lustron. He will attack Senator
McCarthys war record and his han
ollng OF his personal income tax af-
IalrS. Mr.. Schmitt insists his fight is
one for common decency and integrity
in public life''
Way AHect Election.
MIR. Schmitt's campaign for the SEN
atorlal nomination may have effect ON
the November election, even though il
ooes not defeat Senator Mccarthy for
denomination. Henry Reuss, a Young
ana active attorney in Milwaukee. is
expected to become the Democratic
nominee for the Senate. Mr.. Reuss has
campalgned, not only for the nomina-
Ion out against Senator Mccarthy, ever
SINCE last November, speaking through
ouI tne state. II the Democrats have
a strong national ticket in the field next
fall, the State could again 90 Demo.
cratic, as it did in 1948. Under those
circumstances, it might be difficult for
Senator Mccarthy to win re-election
1t may mean something to him to have
strong Republican nominee for Presi-
dent on the ticket.