Traffic Jam in Ohio

In the scramble for the gubernatorial chair of John Bricker, Ohio Republicans last week forgot to keep up appearances. The Alphonse-&-Gaston tradition of Party unity, which has won the Governorship for Republicans in the last three elections, had come apart at the seams.

Ohio's Republican unity has been the province of slick Boss Ed Schorr, 50, of Cincinnati. His 1944 Republican strategy had Governor Bricker stepping down to run for the Presidency, while genial, natty James Garfield Stewart, 63, of Cincinnati, would go in his place. If Bricker missed the Presidency, the next Ohioan in line, Senator Robert A. Taft, could try. It was all set--except that everybody had forgotten about the junior Senator, Harold H. Burton, who was elected in 1940 without Schorr's support.

When Bricker stepped down. the fun began. Up marched Mayor Stewart, on schedule. But he was not alone. Into the race also went handsome, 6-ft. State Attorney General Thomas J. Herbert, 49. Herbert, who hails from Ohio's biggest city, Cleveland, is a World War I hero, an aviator who came home wounded with the D.S.C., Britain's Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Purple Heart. Senator Burton came out flatly for Tom Herbert, sent his own secretary to Ohio to help run Herbert's campaign for the May 9 primary. Then up popped a third Republican, a second Herbert: grizzled Lieut. Governor Paul Herbert, 54, who has been state American Legion commander and exalted ruler of Columbus Elks. Tom Herbert's friends promptly declared that Paul Herbert's campaign was just a Boss Schorr trick to confuse the voters.

The Republican confusion came at a moment of surpassing Democratic unity behind the best vote getter they have seen in years: Cleveland's Mayor Frank John Lausche (rhymes with How Shay), 48, the only major Democrat above the Mason-Dixon line to win in the nationwide Republican sweep last fall (TIME, Nov. 15, 1943). Lausche is liked both by labor and by old-line conservatives. Exuberant Democrats even believe he may carry Ohio for Franklin Roosevelt in 1944, if Republicans are off fighting among themselves.

No. 2 Man of the Hour

Sound & fury to the contrary, Henry Wallace is still first in the hearts of Democrats as Franklin Roosevelt's IV Termate, Gallup pollsters found. His total: 46% double his nearest opponent. Cordell Hull.

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