Democrats seize control of House
Ham Fish among those defeated
New York (UP) –
The Democrats appeared assured of stronger control of the House of Representatives today with a gain of approximately 20 seats.
A United Press tabulation shortly before noon showed Democratic nominees had ousted 20 incumbent Republicans and had filled at least four of the five vacancies now in the House. The Republicans won two seats now held by Democrats, leaving the Democrats a net gain of 22. There were 93 undecided contests.
The Republicans lost five seats in Pennsylvania, four in Connecticut, three in New York, two in Illinois and one each in Maryland, Kentucky, Minnesota, California, Missouri and Ohio.
The 342 candidates definitely elected included 202 Democrats, 138 Republicans, one Progressive and one American Labor Party member. The Democrats have 214 against 212 Republican seats in the present Congress, and need at least 218 for a bare majority.
The Democrats lost one seat in California, when Republican Gordon L. McDonough defeated Democrat Hal Styles for the seat which former Democratic Rep. John M. Costello lost to Mr. Styles in the primary election.
The Democrats shared one notable victory but it will do them no good when the House is organized. Augustus W. Bennet, nominee of the Democratic, American Labor, Liberal and Good Government parties, defeated Republican incumbent Hamilton Fish Jr. (R-NY). A lifelong Republican, he will vote Republican in the House.
Fish won primary
Mr. Bennet unsuccessfully opposed Mr. Fish in the Republican primary.
Of the 292 candidates definitely elected, 189 were Democrats, 101 Republicans, one American Labor and one Progressive.
The House leaders of both parties were reelected. They were Republican Leader Joseph W. Martin Jr. (R-MA) and Democratic Leader John W. McCormack (D-MA).
Another Republican loss was Melvin J. Maas (R-MN), ranking GOP member of the House Naval Affairs Committee.
Mr. Maas served on Guadalcanal in this war as a lieutenant colonel of Marines. A sharp critic of the New Deal, he was trailing Democrat Frank Starkey.
Mrs. Luce wins
Mrs. Clare Boothe Luce (R-CT) finally won reelection after trailing Democrat Miss Margaret E. Connors.
Incumbent Democrats were generally winning. Among the closer races was that of Chairman Andrew J. May (D-KY) of the Military Affairs Committee. Incomplete returns showed him running behind Elmer E. Gabbard.
Of the 435 members of the new House, three Republicans were elected in September, and five Republicans, 51 Democrats, mostly in the South, and one American Labor Party candidate were unopposed.
Precedent maintained
The prospects of another Democratic House were in accord with election precedents. Not in 68 years has the party which elected the President lost the House. In every presidential year election since the Civil War, except that of 1916, the President’s own party has increased its House membership.
Four years ago, when Mr. Roosevelt defeated the late Wendell L. Willkie, the Democrats won 268 House seats. This total was cut down in the 1942 election and was further reduced by deaths among Democratic members.