Evening star., 1954-11-03
Gloom and Gyety at Party Headquarters Reflect Vote Trends
But as the New Day Dons All One Can Be Sure Of Is Ulcers
BY Mary McGrory and
Jack Jonas

If ulcers are born In tension,
Washington physicians will have
a lot Of bipartisan business to-
day.
Republican and Democratic
Committee workers. who nursed
the election returns through q
hectic night at their respective
national headquarters, had
enough ups and downs to keep
them on a milk and toast diet
for a long time.
AS the returns began shaping
into something of an early pic
ture, there was cautious glee in
the Democratic National Com
mittee headquarters at 1901 Con-
necticut avenue NV, just as
there was gloom in the head
quarters Of the Republican Ma
tional Committee at 1925 !
street NV.
Then, as later returns came
in, and the races seemed to
tighten, particularly for the Sen
ate. hope arose among the Re-
publicans and little fear moved
in among the Democrats.
At the Statler, where Repuh-
licans posted returns for the
public, things were quieter, and
at the Willard, where Democrats
ran their board, those activities
folded early. But for the party
workers, who followed each race
as if the votes were being cast
for them, it went on and on
into the morning. This is q
chronological account Of what
happened:
6 p.m.-Republican National
Committee blackboard room a
shambles. Television cameramen
and engineers preparing for
broadcasts. Wires overhead and
underfoot. Tables cluttered with
still cameras and photographers.
Big board for recording votes
neat and clean. Busy buzz Of
numbled directions.
$3.50 pm. Democratic Ma
tional Committee blackboard
room. relatively quiet. All big
wheels out to dinner. TV camera
crews only occupants. Sit at
various desks to get camera
range. Two TV sets on in room.
Both showing westerns. Rider
less horse featured. One small
blackboard in corner. Reads:
"Hart's Location, Democrats, six,
Republicans four"
6:27 p.m.-Word spreads at
Republican headquarters that
President Eisenhower will make
unexpected visit" Room quiets
down. Some necks craned toward
front door. Others craned toward
rear door.
6:32 p.m.-Repub1ican public
relations man deluged with ques-
tions about President. Replies,
HE comes in that way, he stops
there briefly, and he goes out
this way" sr
6:38 p.m.-Applause from back
of room. President Eisenhower
appears, grinning and confident.
AS he strides toward center of
room, he asks Mr.. Hall how many
Governors are going to be elected.
Answer drowned in laughter.
President pauses at huge board
where votes are to be recorded.
Asks one of volunteer workers If
he is a stock board clerk. Goes
through rear door and everybody
relaxes. Pops back in through
another door two minutes later.
Chats with Nellie Phillips, Is
years with Republican organiza-
ton. Asks her if they brought
her in in a baby carriage. Leaves
seven minutes after arrival.
p.m.-G. o. P. setup takes on
deserted air. Notables who ap-
paretlny eat later than Demo-
Gratis, out for dinner. Most of
workers busy in other rooms.
making preparations. Group
around television set, intently
watching "Kukla, Fran and Oh
lie." Newsman quips, What
district is that?" Staff worker
replies, pointing to Ollie, the
dragon, IT think he's an incum-
bent Democrat"
7:15 p.m.-First returns en-
tered on Republicans big board.
Alben Barkley leading Republi-
can Senator Cooper in Senate
race. 26,332 to 25,532. Brief con-
ference by recorders on how best
to handle recording of votes.
1880 p.m.-Clayton Fritchey,
deputy Democratic chairman,
comes back from dinner. Looks
cheerful. Says it's too early to
say. TV man with hand mike
adds many yards more wire to
coils underfoot, asks where Mr..