Stunning Upset To Forecasts

Chronicle (Levin), 4 November 1948, Page 5

Stunning Upset To Forecasts

(N.Z.P.A.—

Reuter ,

Democrats Control House And Senate

Copyright)

Received Thursday, 10.10 a.m. pr NEW YORK, November 3. President Hajrry S. Truman has been elected President of the United States of America for the next four years; Soon after 11 a.m. today, Governor Thomas Dewey, the Republican candidate, issued a statement conceding that President Truman had won. The popular vote for the various candidates at 4 p.m. New York time today was as follows : — - President Truman (Democrat) 21,085,553 Governor Dewey (Republican) 19,508,937 Mr. Wallace (Progressive) 985,528 Governor Thurmond (States Rights) % 757,337 The Democrats have won control of both the Hou^e of Representatives and the Senate. They have also won at least 31 of the State Governorships, incliiding six previously held by the Republicans. The latest figures prove a stunning upset of the forecasts of practically all United States political experts — except Mr. . Truman himself, who was firmly convinced that he would win.

In one of the most amazing political upsets in American his- . tory, the Democrats, split by the Wallace and Thurmond factions, surged ahead early in the counting and maintained their lead to win power both in the White House and the Capitol. Vote counting is not yet complete, but on the latest figures the lineup is exnected to be: — Senate: Democrats 54, Republicans 42. Ilouse of Representatives : Democrats 246, Republicans 188, American Labour Party 1. President Truman leads in 28 States, with an Electoral College voting strength of 340. Mr. Dewey leads in 16 States with 189 votqs. A candidate must get 266 votes in the Electoral College to be elected President. Governor Thurmond (States Rights) gained 28 votes in three States and was leading in another with ten votes. Mr. Henry Wallace (Progressive Party) gained no electoral votes. Mr. Dewey was impelled to concede election by President Truman's lead in the crucial Ohio and illinois electorates, and finally by news that Mr. Truman had gone ahead in California. President Truman received the news of Mr. Dewey's concession with a broad smile, but modestly thanked the scores of well-wishers who crowded into his suite to congratulate him on his reliable vic- • tory. The Associated Press comments that for the world the election outcome means a double assurahce that there will be no change in American foreign policy.

Meaning To World In Washington speculation is already running high that President Truman will now make many changes in his own administration. Mr. Dewey, in a telegram to Mr. Truman conceding defeat, said: "My heartiest congratulations on your election and every good wish for a successful administration. I urge all Americans to unite behind you in support of every effort to.keep our nation 'strong and free, and to establish peace in . the world." President Truman issued the following statement: "I feel most deeply the responsibility which has fallen to my lot as a result of the election. I shall continue to serve the American people to the best of my ability. All my efforts will be devoted to the cause of peace in the world and the happiness of our people here at home." President Truman telegraphed Mr. Dewey: "I thank you sincerely for your congratulations and good wishes. Your fine sportsmanship is deeply appreciated. We jointly owe congratulations to the American people, who have once again shown the world the vitality of our free institutions." In New York, Democratic national headquarters held an uproarious party mid-morning to celebrate. They sang and toasted each other in champagne, which was brought into the room of the Democratic national chairman, Senator J. Howard McGrath, in a galvanised washtub. Mr. McGrath telephoned President Truman and told him, "A greater man could not have won." ' President Truman won the election not only against the Republicans who had taken victory for granted, but against the Left-wing and Right-wing rebellions in his own party. At a Press conference today, Mr. Dewey declared that he would not run for the Presidency a third time. He denied that he would resign the Governorship of New York, but said that he had no plans for running for re-election. Mr. Dewey said he was as surprised as anybody at his defeat. He added that it was imposslble to tell how far organised labour had contributed to his defeat. , Great Victory For Labour . The chairman of the Democratic national committee, Senator McGrath, however, was under no illusions about labour's contribution to the Democratic sweep. "It marks a tremendous victory for American labour because to the organised political effort of the American labour movement much of the credit must be given," he said. "Labour's great activity in this eampaign was largely due to its Uncompromising hostility to the shackling provisions of the TaftHartley Labour Act, which was passed over President Truman's

veto by the Republican-dominated Congress. The unions spent over 3,000,000 dollars in defeating sup- ' porters of the Taft-Hartley Act. However, a large number of these supporters held their seats.