General v. Spark Plug

Less than a third of Pennsylvania’s voters went to the polls in last week’s primary. Result: the well-heeled Republican machine of Oilman Joseph Newton Pew Jr. and onetime Senator Joseph R. Grundy won in a walk. So did the less powerful Democratic crew of National Committeeman David L. Lawrence.

As their candidate for Governor, Joe Pew & Joe Grundy’s followers named erect, God-fearing Major General Edward Martin, 62, described by his boosters as Pennsylvania’s “most famed soldier.”* Soldier Martin, who was relieved of his command of the 28th (National Guard) Division last January because of age, permitted campaign posters to show him in uniform, told voters that Pennsylvania needs a governor acquainted with “the terror and tumult of war.” No match for him was Senator James J. (“Puddler Jim”) Davis, whose record in Congress followed the straight Republican isolationist line. Puddler Jim had almost no organization support; and much of his onetime labor following deserted him. It was the Puddler’s first political defeat in a long career. In spite of his defeat, he remains a Senator for three more years.

In November tall (6 ft.) General Martin will face short (5 ft. 2 in.) Democrat F. Clair Ross, once affectionately hailed at a political rally as “our little spark plug.” Spark Plug Ross, who holds memberships in the American Legion, Masons, Elks, Moose and Eagles, has been principally known for igniting his own ambitions. Observers guessed that he will need an overhauling on the day after the election.

The pattern set by 1942’s early primaries still held last week: apathetic voters, faced with the unappetizing choice between machine candidates in both parties, are giving the elections to political machines almost by default.

Isolationists took one hammer blow. In the 25th Pennsylvania district, Representative Charles I. Faddis, Democrat, profoundly isolationist, named widely as a Congressional obstructionist (TIME, May 25), had insisted on his right to an X-card (for a personal, unlimited gasoline supply). Six days later he was soundly beaten by Dr. Robert Grant Furlong.

* Other, perhaps more famed, Pennsylvania soldiers: General George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff, Lieut. General Henry (“Hap”) Arnold, Chief of the Army Air Forces, Major General Joseph T. McNarney, Deputy Chief of Staff. From other wars: Major General (“Mad”) Anthony Wayne, Major General George Gordon Meade, victor of Gettysburg.