In Wisconsin

If history chisels out the name of "Old Bob" LaFollette as the father of Wisconsin insurgency, then it must certainly leave a tiny space for "Mrs. Bob" as its mother. Perhaps, like Mrs. John Shand in Barrie's immortal play, What Every Woman Knows, she used to put the subtle touch of genius into her husband's speeches. When he was tired she addressed his thou sands of campaign letters; when he was glum she cheered him. "Old Bob" died. His wife was left with his spirit, his political faith, his four children. The oldest, Robert M. Jr., went into the Senate. He has his father's chubby face; he serves with insurgent distinction, a mere child (age 30) among Senators. Son Philip, 29, is District Attorney in his home county. He has his father's shock of hair; he is a fiery orator. Last month he became the proud father of Robert Marion LaFollette III. Daughter Fola, once a suffragette, then a talented actress who played ingenue parts in Manhattan, is now the wife of Playwright George Middleton. Daughter Mary, the youngest, studies art.

Wisconsin cannot forget the legend of "Old Bob," especially when they read it every day in his wife and children.

When voters mark their ballots on Sept. 7 to nominate a Republican* Senator and Governor it is LaFollettism which guides their hands more than the name of any candidate.

For the Senatorship, the incumbent Irvine L. Lenroot battles Governor John Elaine, on whom has fallen the mantle of LaFollettism. Senator Lenroot is one of the many regular Republicans who was swept into office in the Harding landslide of 1920, even though he ran 270,000 votes behind the party ticket. His chief war cry in the present campaign is-"Divorce Wisconsin from the LaFollettes." Senator Lenroot is also a World Courter. In fact, he challenged Governor Elaine to a debate on the subject. The Governor could not be bothered; one of his henchmen offered to substitute. Whereupon, the Senator said sweetly that he "could hardly accept the challenge of a scared man's bottle holder or towel slinger." The Governor replied that the Senator is merely "a Coolidge rubber stamp."

Both principals are touring the state on the stump. Governor Elaine is assisted by an all-star cast including "Young Bob" LaFollette, Novelist Zona Gale/-, and Mrs. Elaine. In Milwaukee, where betting is as essential as beer, the odds are 5 to 4 in favor of Mr. Elaine.

In the governorship race, three candidates positively assert that "Old Bob" LaFollette intended them to be the next governor of Wisconsin. Fred R. Zimmerman embellishes all his campaign literature with the following maxim: " 'I have known Fred Zimmerman for 20 years and he has always been right.'--LaFollette." But then, there is the story of Mrs. LaFollette and "Young Bob," who support Herman L. Ekern for governor, who tell how Candidate Zimmerman refused to back "Old Bob" when he ran for President, said, "I have no money and no time."

One Stanley Smith also claims to be the favorite political child of "Old Bob." The regular Republicans have put up still another candidate, but the real campaign is being staged by Messrs. Zimmerman and Ekern. On them Milwaukee bets even.

* Republican nomination in Wisconsin is usually equivalent to election. /- A regent of the University of Wisconsin, and reputedly responsible for the election of Dr. Glenn Frank to its presidency.