Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-06-01
California Tests
'58 Political Scene
By DAVID KOONCE
star stan Writer

~ Oh ~ AAOOANOS
star Stan Writer
= If figures meant anything, Cali
fornia, where 56.4 per cent of the
voters are registered as Demo-
Gratis this year. would be practi-
cally in the pocket of the Demo-
cratic party. But figures-like a
lot of other things in the Golden
State-are often not what they
seem.
Democrats. as matter Of fact,
have led California registration
for "a years, although they have
elected only one Governor since
1900.
Six years ago, when Senator
William F. Knowland was running
his successful campaign for re-
election. Republicans accounted
for 40 per cent Of the electorate,
which is just about their share of
registrations today as the State
prepares to nominate candidates
for Governor, Senator and long
ballotful Of lesser offices on Tues
day.
But things have changed in six
years.
One Ticket: Two Directions
For one thing, the unity of
California Republicans, which en-
abled them to offer states that
seemed equally attractive to both
parties, is not present this year.
Instead, the two top G. o. P.
names on the ticket are headed in
different directions each seeming
to avoid the other like the plague.
Senator Knowland, seeking the
governorship, has built his plat
form on a long list of proposed
restrictions on labor unions, in
GLIDING the union-hated right
to-work" law. (There are l.6 mil
lion union members in the StateO
Gov. Goodwin ]. Knight, running
for Senator Knowland's Washing
ton seat, says that his party can't
win if it bases its appeal on anti
labor, anti-social welfare, let
them eat-cake programs"
Further, there is much talk
not all of it from Democrats
about "double-dealing" in the
G. o. P. Gov. Knight, who was
always attractive to Democrats
and labor, for months had his
heart set on running for re-elec-
ton. He didn't want to be Sena-
tor, he said. But then, after Sen
ator Knowland definitely decided
he would like the governorShip
Gas, many suspect, an entree to
the White House in 1860, Gov.
Knight was forced to bow out and
seek the senatorial seat instead.
The Governor made the announce
ment-cheerless and unsmiling-
after visiting the White House.
The Democrats somewhat glee-
fully hoped upon this situation
with the rather pointed question:
IF Goodie Knight is not good
enough for the governorship, how
is he good enough for the SEN
ate?"
The Mayor Wants the Job
Republican harmony is further
crippled by the presence in the
race of George Christopher, pop
ular and handsome Mayor of San
Francisco, who refused to end
his established campaign for Sen
ator when Gov. Knight was
crowded onto that part of the
ticket. Mr.. Christopher and his
followers feel the swap that was
forced on Gov. Knight unfairly
victimized the mayor.
AS result of all this, the Dem
ocratS are more confident than
ever that California, one Of the
big three" political prizes, is
theirs at last. They also think
they have an issue in the recess
sion-over 1000 workers are I'M
employed in the State.
Far more important to them
than their preponderance on the
registration lists is the attractive
ness of their candidates.
Running against Senator Know
land for the governorShip they
have a man who won for their
party the only important State
Office in the big Eisenhower land
slide 100000 vote margin) of
1856. Attorney General Edmund
(PaD Brown of San Francisco,
hand shaking Estes Kefauver
type, is a proved vote-getter.
Gov. Knights Democratic OPP
ponent is Representative Clair
Engle from the big I'd con-
gressional district in Northern
California. Mr.. Engle, who as
chairman of the House Interior
Committee has fought many a
battle over land. water and con-
servation iSsues-problemS which
are uppermost in the minds of
most Californians-has been lead
ing his Republican opponents in
the popularity polls for some
months.
Does the Name Register?
Mr.. Engle, however. is having
some trouble with what the poll
ticans call name projection
his name just doesn't register on
the mind of the average person
with as much impact as does the
name of the States popular and
nationally known Governor.
The Democratic candidates, I'M
opposed in the primary by other
Democrats, are assured of their
party's nomination. But under
CALIFORNIA; cross-filing system, all