Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-08-10
BY J. A. o'Leory

The battle for control Of the
closely divided Senate in 1854
may stimulate greater interest
in Statehood for Hawaii and
Alaska when Congress recon-
venes.
The four new seats involved in
the statehood bills could be a
decisive factor in determining
control Of the Senate. if state
hood measures passed early
enough to include Hawaii and
Alaska in the November, 1854,
election.
Until d few years ago all signs
indicated that Hawaii would be
Republican territory and Alaska
Democratic. Under those cir
cumStances the admission of
both States at the same time
would make no difference in Sen
ate control.
But some surprising trends de-
veloped in territorial voting last
November. These have cast
doubt on the theory that either
area can be counted on to stay
put under one party label year
in and year out.
Democrats Gain in Hawaii.
In Hawaii, additionally Re-
publican for half a century. the
Democrats made substantial
gains last year. They doubled
their strength in both branches
of the Territorial Legislature.
The lower house went from Is
Republicans and five Democrats
to 10 Republicans and IL Demo-
Gratis. The Senate was narrowed
from nine and six to 8 Repub-
licans and seven Democrats.
In Alaska, which had been
Democratic for 20 years, the Re-
publicans made even more sur
prising gains and took control of
the Territorial Legislature.
Despite these 1852 voting
trends, the Republican-controlled
Congress this year started out
pushing statehood for Hawaii
only. The Hawaiian bill passed
the House early in the year, but
was slowed when the Senate In
terror Committee ordered hear
ingS on the admission of both
territories.
The Hawaiian hearings have
been held here. Next Sunday a
six-man Senate subcommittee
will leave Seattle to hold a week
of hearings in the four principal
cities of Alaska.
The subcommittee consists of
Senator Butler, Republican. of
Nebraska, chairman; and Sen
ators Barrett, Republican. of
Wyoming, Murray, Democrat, of
Montana, Anderson, Democrat,
of New Mexico, Clements, Demo-
crat, of Kentucky, and jackson,
Democrat, of Washington.
Time to Arrange Elections.
Friends of Hawaiian statehood
say there will be ample time to
arrange for a Congressional cleo
ton there in November, 1854, if
the Senate passes the statehood
bill by June. Presumably. ar
rangements could also be made
in time in Alaska. if the Senate
hackers of that territory succeed
in getting action on both.
The almost even division Of
seats between Republicans and
Democrats that is expected to
exist when the Senate recon-
venes may make it easier to get
action on both statehood bills
than on one.
A Republican is expected to be
appointed to Senator Tobey'S
seat by Republican Gov. Gregg
of New Hampshire. If Ohio's
Democratic Gov. Lausche names
a Democrat to fill Senator Taft's
seat, the Senate lineup will be
Al Republicans, 48 Democrats
and 1 Independent. Senator
Morse, the Oregon Independent,
has made it clear he would not
use his vote to upset Republican
control at the next session. He
wants the voters to decide he
issue. In any event, the DEM
ocrats have shown no desire to
try to take control by such a
slender margin in the midst of
a Congress.