Senate Prospects

The present division of the U.S. Senate (47 Republicans, 47 Democrats and Wayne Morse) pleases nobody except Wayne Morse. With elections to be held next year for the places now occupied by 13 Republicans and 21 Democrats, planners of both parties are busy figuring out ways & means to win control of the Senate. The G.O.P. has a covetous eye on the Senate seats of five Democrats: Illinois' Douglas, Iowa's Gillette, Delaware's Frear, Montana's Murray and Minnesota's Humphrey. Democrats have marked four Republicans for defeat: Michigan's Ferguson,

Kentucky's Cooper, California's Kuchel and Massachusetts' Saltonstall.

Targets for Democrats: P:Homer Ferguson: A few months ago, Democrats were confident of toppling Ferguson. Now they are not so sure. Fence-mending his way through 46 of Michigan's 83 counties, he has dropped his ponderous, fault-finding manner and shown friendly skill as a campaigner who appears at wedding receptions, fraternal meetings and county fairs.

P:John Sherman Cooper: About as popular as a Republican can be in Kentucky, the courtly Cooper last year carried a state that Ike lost. But he will be in deep trouble if Alben Barkley decides to run (TIME, Sept. 14).

P: Thomas H. Kuchel: An appointee of Governor Earl Warren, Kuchel is little known and is skeptically regarded by his party's conservative wing in California. P: Leverett Saltonstall: As chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Saltonstall has little time for politicking back home. But he campaigned hard this summer, and Democratic chances are fading in Massachusetts.

Targets for Republicans: P: Paul H. Douglas: Having annoyed many Illinois liberals by his economy stand, freewheeling Paul Douglas will need all the help he can get. P: Guy M. Gillette: In a state which went 64% Republican last year, his situation is shaky. Representative Thomas E. Martin is seeking Iowa's G.O.P. nomination. P: J. Allen Frear: Unimpressive in the Senate, Frear may pull through on his campaigning in Delaware. P: James E. Murray: Montana Republicans always think--so far, wrongly--they are going to beat Murray. P: Hubert H. Humphrey: Minnesota's best potential G.O.P. candidate, Representative Walter H. Judd, is backing away from a Senate race against fast-talking, New Dealing Humphrey, whose chances are improving.

In Ohio, Robert A. Taft Jr. is being urged to try for his father's place, now vacant. But Democratic Governor Frank Lausche would be a rugged opponent even for a Taft. It would be an ironical twist of politics if the G.O.P. were to lose the Senate by dropping the seat once held by Mr. Republican.

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