Evening star., 1953-11-05
The Political Mill
6. O. P. Is in Trouble;
Voters Disappointed
Republicans Must Move
Fast to Win Next Yeur
By Gould Lincoln

Two swallows do not make sum-
mer-but two congressional districts
have blown wintry blasts down the
necks of the Republicans. When several
weeks ago the Democrats elected their
candidate to fill a vacancy in the House
from the 9th Wisconsin congressional
district, the explanation given was
that the farmers were on the war
path, angry with the Eisenhower
administration and the Republican
Congress for not doing something about
their falling prices. An effort was made
to have the Republican failure there
considered as an isolated case Along
came special election in the 9Th
New Jersey congressional district, also
to fill vacant House seat which had
for years been held by the Republicans.
And another Democratic victory was
chalked up. Something. apparently. is
very wrong for the G. o. P.
Notwithstanding the fact local condi-
tionS and local issues were involved in
both these congressional elections, some
other explanation must be given when
people in Wisconsin and New Jersey,
within a month, show themselves
against the Republican Congress-and,
indeed, against the Eisenhower admin
iStration. A logical explanation is that
they are disappointed; that they have
had no tax reduction, and that the cost
Of living has continued to rise. After
almost 10 months in Office and control
of the Government, the Republicans
have not come through with campaign
pledges, the people complain.
Fact Overloaded.
They overlook the fact that they
have had the best and most efficient
and economical Government they have
had in years. They forget that Presi-
dent Eisenhower has brought an end to
the fighting in Korea. They forget. too,
that the President has cleaned up the
mess in Washington" which was a
principal issue in the last presidential
campaign. They have been told that
the Republicans have failed to live up
to their promises, made last year.
The farmers and labor, two big
groups among the voters, complain
that the administration has done
nothing about new farm program
and revision of the labor laws
All groups are sick of high taxes.
They do not like the continued in
crease in cost of living. They do
not like the continued pouring of
billions Of dallarS into foreign coun-
tries They cannot see why the Re-
publicanS have not moved more quickly
to deal with all these problems The
politicos take shots at the President
on the ground he has not stepped out
and taken more positive leadership,
on Capitol Hill and throughout the
political framework of the country.
They finally succeeded in pushing him
into belated Endorsements of the Re-
publican candidates in New jersey.
Virginia and New York.
From an immediate political point Of
view, it looks now as though Repre-
sentative Dan Reed of New York, Re-
publican chairman of the House Ways
and Means Committee, was right when
he warned the President and Congress
that failure to reduce taxes would work
against the G. 0. P. Under the Presi-
dents leadership, taxes were not re-
duced and the excess profits tax was
extended. Further, there has been
plenty Of talk from administration
sources that no early balance of the
Federal budget could be expected and
the people have to look forward to
high taxes. A dreary outlook for many
of them.
G. o. P. Must Move Fast.
Unless the Republicans are to lose
the 84th Congress in the elections next
year, they must move fast and sue
cessfully in the coming session of Con-
gress; get their program under way and
their campaign promises paid. And
what battle that is likely to be. The
Democrats. Scenting blood and with an
election coming up, will throw monkey
wrencheS. They are beginning to lose
their fear of Eisenhower popularity.
BY an eyelash, the Republicans still
control the House in the present Con-
greSs. They have 218 seats in that
body. mere majority of one. In the
Senate, they are already the minority
party, with only At seats to 48 for the
Democrats and one for Senator MorSeS
personal, Independent Party. Not only
will the Republicans have to come
through with an attractive program,
but they will have to sell 1t to the
American people during the coming
year.
Adversely may drive the Republicans
more closely together, and gain support
for Eisenhower proposals in Congress
and out. Republicans, however, are
seriously divided over conservative and
progressive ideas. Some of the con-
ServativeS would rather go down to de-
feat than go along with Gen. Eisen-
hover and the progressive group Of
their own party.
The President has never wavered in
his determination to bring the Federal
budget into approximate balance before
he urges material reductions in Federal
taxes. He believes strongly that the
country must continue to spend billions
for national defense, and to help put
our allies abroad in shape to defend
themselves against the Communist
menace. He is not likely to give way.
Indian Girls Birthday
Her turquoise velvet blouse, pinked
near the throat,
Flattered her full tan skirt that seemed
to float
In rhythmic nloDenent-like iotld birds
on 1Otng,
Intent on more than LtheSome Journey
ing:
Her deep-bro10n eyes glanced up the
mountdinSide,
A Soft-Hpped smile embraced her small
round face
Rejecting pride-Such youth persont-
fed
The sturdy. toeH-born comeliness OF
race