The 1944 Little Show

In the U.S. political circus, good shows were also going on in the smaller rings. These elections were not merely interesting to the immediate spectators, they were important, for they will decide what kind of Senate, in particular, the next President will have.

Races that are closest, important, or both:

Connecticut. Republican Senator John A. Danaher will lose some votes because of his non-interventionist record, will gain some because of his good labor record. Campaigning for the maintenance of the American system, he looked like the winner over New Dealing Brien McMahon, 41, ex-Assistant U.S. Attorney General.

Idaho. Republican Governor Clarence A. Bottolfsen had a good chance for the Senate against Cowboy Glenn Taylor, who beat Isolationist D. Worth Clark in the Democratic primary.

Illinois. Senator Scott Lucas, a downstate New Dealer backed by Mayor Ed Kelly's machine, might squeeze through even if Illinois voted for Dewey. Opponent Richard Lyons, favorite of the Chicago Tribune and twice blessed by Tom Dewey, is splenetically anti-New Deal and isolationist.

Indiana. Hulking, heavy-jowled millionaire Republican Homer Capehart, who manufactures juke boxes and super-phonographs and is experimenting with television, was having trouble. His opponent for the Senate: mild, homespun Democratic Governor Henry Schricker, 61, who has eaten fried chicken in almost every church basement in Indiana. Democrat Schricker shrewdly avoids discussing Term IV in Indiana.

Iowa. Senator Guy Gillette, 65, was after a third term to oblige Franklin Roosevelt, who wanted to purge him in 1938. But Gillette would probably get the beating of his life from popular Republican Governor Bourke Blakemore Hickenlooper, 48.

Maryland. Anti-New Dealer Millard Tydings was expected to hold fast to his Senate seat even if a Dewey tornado sweeps the state.

Massachusetts. Republican Governor Leverett Saltonstall, running for the Senate, was so popular throughout his state that last week a Democratic politico commented: "They won't count his votes, they'll weigh 'em."

Missouri. Pious, indecisive Republican Governor Forrest Donnell (who is popularly believed to consult his law books before deciding to go to the men's room) was favored over C.I.O.-backed Democrat Roy McKittrick, who defeated veteran Isolationist Senator Bennett Clark.

Montana. The big-business "twins" that run Montana politics, Montana Power and Anaconda Copper, were behind able incumbent Republican Sam C. Ford, 61, first G.O.P. governor in 20 years. But hard-campaigning, up & coming, six-foot Democrat Leif Erickson, 38, with united labor support, had a chance.

New Jersey. Between two political unknowns, the Senate race would probably go the way the state goes (polls showed the state leaning to Dewey). The candidates: Princetonian Republican H. Alexander Smith, 64, able lawyer; Elmer Wene (rhymes with bean), 55, wealthy egg man and Hague Democrat who has yet to speak up in six years in the House.

New York. The even, feverish Dewey-Roosevelt fight might also decide New York's Senate race, Thomas Curran, 45, an Irish Republican hand-picked by Tom Dewey to woo Manhattan's 466,000 Catholics, was the favorite to unseat veteran Democrat Robert Wagner, 67, if Dewey carries the Empire State. Isolationist Ham Fish, repudiated by Tom Dewey, was in trouble. Fish may be beaten in November by the man he beat in August, able young Augustus Bennet, 47, a Republican endorsed by three other parties.

North Dakota. In a three-cornered race, two good men, both trying to beat isolationist Senator Gerald Nye, might knock each other out instead. Nye's opposition; tough Legionnaire Lynn Stambaugh, an independent Republican ("A vote for Nye is a vote for World War Ill"); and popular, ailing Democrat John Moses, 69, the second man in North Dakota's history to be governor three times.

Ohio. Buckeyes watched Cleveland's curly-haired, intense Mayor Frank Lausche (rhymes with how-she) to see if his phenomenal local popularity could be made statewide. Even if Dewey won Ohio, Democrat Lausche might win the governorship over Cincinnati's natty Mayor James Garfield Stewart, candidate of G.O.P. boss Ed Schorr. In the Senate race, Robert Taft fought to ward off a political nonentity, Democrat William Pickrel, 56, of Dayton. After listening to Taft and Pickrel in listless joint debate last week, the Cleveland Press impatiently suggested that both candidates withdraw, let Senator Harold Burton henceforth cast two votes for Ohio in the Senate.

Oklahoma. Franklin Roosevelt must carry this border state handsomely to save silver Senator Elmer Thomas' seat from tall, thin Republican William Otjen, 64.

Oregon. Progressive Republican Wayne Morse, 44, who quit the War Labor Board to run for the Senate, was expected to beat unknown Democrat Edgar Smith.

Utah. Dr. Adam S. Bennion, ex-power company executive, had an outside chance to beat veteran Senator Elbert D, Thomas. 61, the Senate's ablest scholar. Thomas, by seniority, is first in line for "Buncombe Bob'' Reynolds' chairmanship of the Senate Military Affairs Committee.

Washington. The Evergreen State's next Senator is bound to be a veteran of World War II. The choice is between corn-silk-haired Democratic Congressman Warren Magnuson and Republican Harry ("Hurry") Cain. New Dealer Magnuson, 39, a slight favorite, was a lieutenant commander with the task force which launched Doolittle's planes to Tokyo. Republican Cain, 38, is a lieutenant colonel on Eisenhower's staff in France. Congressman Magnuson was out of the Navy and campaigning vigorously; Soldier Cain was 7,000 miles from the hustings.

Wisconsin. Republican Senator Alexander Wiley, 60, a pre-Pearl Harbor isolationist, was practically a cinch to win.

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