Evening star., 1953-11-02
6. O. P. Seen Long
Way From Getting
ToehoId in South
By Jack Bell
Associotsd Press Stoff Writer

ASSoeiotsd Press Sfoff Writer
HOT SPRINGS, Va, Nov. a.
Dixie Democratic Governors
agreed today in saying the Re-
publicans are a long way from
establishing their party firmly in
the South.
But they were somewhat di-
vided on President Eisenhower's
popularity. A majority said it
is dipping. largely because of un-
rest among farmers.
Gov. Theodore r. McKeldin of
Maryland, sole Republican at
tending the annual Southern
Governors Conference, Stoutly
maintained that President Eisen-
hover is doing fine" politically.
Cows. Lawrence w. Wetherby
Of Kentucky and Charles E. Johns
of Florida were the most en-
phatic in contending that low
farm prices had set the Reputli-
cans back sharply in the G. o. P.
efforts to penetrate State, local
and congressional Offices in the
South.
Farmers Boiling Mad"
Gov. Wetherby said in an
interview that farmers in his
State are boiling mad" because
he said "the Eisenhower admin
iStration hasn't done anything
but appoint committees" in re-
Sponse to drought-relief pleas
there.
The Kentucky Governor said
he expects this to be reflected in
a Democratic sweep of local Of
fees in tomorroW's State elec-
ton. He said he is confident
that one of two Republican Con-
gressmen from the State will
feel the voters ak next year.
along with Senator Cooper, Re-
publican, of Kentucky.
Gen. Eisenhower lost Ken
lucky by only TOO votes in last
years presidential race, but Gov.
Wetherby said this year he is
in bad shape" The Governor
said he doesn't believe Gen.
Eisenhower could make a close
presidential race there if the
vote were tomorrow.
Sees Popularity Waning.
Gov. Johns said he believes
Gen. Eisenhower's popularity is
waning swiftly in Florida and
carrying Republican hopes down
with it. Gen. Eisenhower won
the State last year by a margin
of nearly 100000 votes.
IT don't feel that there is any
danger that the Republicans will
elect anybody to Congress from
Florida next year." Gov. Johns
said. II don't think they have
much chance of establishing
two-party system in Florida"
Gov. Allan ShiverS of Texas,
who supported Gen. Eisenhower
last year when the President
carried the State by $4,000
votes, said there is some doubt
in his mind that the President
would get as many votes now.
Asserting that the 1852 result
involved a -Eisenhower and
anti-Truman vote, he said it
couldn't be interpreted as indi-
eating the Republicans have got
a toehold in Texas.
No TwO-Party System.
"Texas is an overwhelmingly
Democratic State" Gov. Shivers
said. There isn't any two
party system in Texas and I
would be surprised if any Re-
publican is elected to Congress
from the State next year."
Gov. William B. Umstead of
North Carolina said he thinks
Gen, Eisenhower has slipped in
that State, which the President
lost in 1852 by about $4,000
votes.
Gov. Umstead added that for
the "foreseeable future" he
doesn't believe the Republicans
will be able to challenge the
Democrats for State and local
offices.
Gov. Robert F. Kennon of
Louisiana said he thinks that if
the election were today, Gen.
Eisenhower would carry Louisi-
ana. He lost it by about $4,000
votes last year.
Shift Is Forecast.
Gov. Johnston Murray of
Oklahoma guessed that State
would go back into the Demo-
cratic column today, after hav-
ing given Gen. Eisenhower a
$4,000 margin in 1852. Gov.
William C. Marland said West
Virginia's $4,000 Democratic
presidential majority would be
greatly increased in an election
now.
Gov. Frank Clement said Gen.
EiSenhoWer'S popularity in Ten
nesSee will turn on the admin
iStration's policies toward the
Tennessee Valley Authority. Gen.
Eisenhower has mentioned
"creeping socialism" in connec-
ton with IVA, but has said he
doesn't think it could be sold
to private interests. Gen. EiSen-
hover won the State by fewer
than 5000 votes last year.
Gov. Herman Talmadge of
Georgia, chairman of the con-
ference, said he doesn't believe
the President has acted fast
enough on the farm problem
and hes still pretty much on
$P-io1