Wisconsin's Trilemma

Wisconsin approached its Republican gubernatorial primary in a trilemma. The factors of an oldtime dilemma were there --La Follettism v. Regularity--Candidate Joseph David Beck v. Fred R. Zimmerman, the present Governor. To these a third candidate had added himself, Candidate Walter Jodok Kohler of Kohler, Wis., and Kohler Plumbing. A fourth man, John Ferris, was also running.

It was a trilemma because the Wisconsin Republicans want to be extra certain that they pick the right man this year. Wisconsin is in a fair way to go Democratic with Nominee Smith. The candidates were being judged as potential Smith-beaters as much as Governors.

Governor Zimmerman, once a La Follettite, early advertised himself as a ticket-mate of Nominee Hoover. He got himself endorsed by the W. C. T.U. and the Anti-saloon League.

Candidate Beck, frankly Wet, sought to persuade the people to retain under him and U. S. Senator Robert Marion ("Young Bob") La Follette the same Progressive Republicanism (conservative Socialism) which they learned and loved under the late, great La Follette Sr. There was suspicion that, far from being Smith-beaters, Candidate Beck and the La Follette contingent would ultimately stump for the Brown Derby.

Candidate Kohler, relatively a newcomer to politics, laid no emphatic claim to party fame, Regular or Progressive. He was, however, left unembarrassed by Nominee Hoover, who was at pains not to take sides publicly when he passed through Wisconsin in July. To Regulars, Mr. Kohler could offer the facts that he helped nominate Mr. Hoover at Kansas City; that he is a Big Business Man--$45,000 per annum salary, master of one of the largest U. S. manufactories of bath tubs, lavatories, waterclosets, kitchen sinks (in colors); that he keeps fine horses, flies an airplane, favors the St. Lawrence waterway.

To Progressives he could offer thatKohler, Wis., is a model community; that he is interested enough in public education to have become a regent of the University of Wisconsin, where one of his four boys was educated (two went to Yale, one to M. I. T.); that it is and has been his desire to provide modern comforts to country people.