POLITICAL NOTES: On to Moscow

Time was when all the U.S. politician had to do to look like a statesman was pop over to London for a chat with Winston Churchill. But no more. With the junketeering season about to reopen, the rush is on for a place long closed to capitalistic pols: Moscow.

Nevada's Republican Senator George Malone has been granted a visa to Russia. Among those who have applied for visas are Louisiana's Democratic Senator Allen Ellender, Alabama's Democratic Senator John Sparkman, and Connecticut's Republican Senator William Purtell ("I hope to get the feel of the country"). Seriously considering trips to Russia are Republican Senators Milton Young of North Dakota and Henry Dworshak of Idaho and Democratic Senator J. Allen Frear of Delaware. Also mulling over the idea: Kentucky's grand old pro, Democrat Alben W. Barkley.

It was inevitable, however, that one man would already have his bags virtually packed: Tennessee's Democratic Senator Estes Kefauver, toting his presidential ambitions around the world, is getting ready to attend the Interparliamentary Union meeting at Helsinki, Finland, then make the Moscow trek. He already has his visa in hand.