U.S. At War: Trouble in Wisconsin

Orland S. Loomis, 49, was elected Wisconsin's Governor last Nov. 3 as a Progressive. A month later Orland Loomis died. His death left Wisconsin with a political muddle for which there were last week almost as many cures as Wisconsin has lawyers:

> Outgoing Republican Governor Julius P. Heil might continue in office two more years. This is not what Wisconsin's voters want (they licked him at the polls by 105,000 votes), but there is a legal precedent: once the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that on the death of a sheriff-elect the old sheriff should continue in office.

> Massive, thick-necked, aged (80) Lieut. Governor Walter S. Goodland (a Republican whom reporters call "Woof Woof" because he looks and growls like a St. Bernard) might get the job. He was re-elected last month, had himself sworn in for his new term by his nephew one hour and ten minutes after he heard of Loomis' death. Though Wisconsin's Constitution makes no such provision, Walter Goodland's friends insist that he should on Inauguration Day (Jan. 4) become acting governor.

> A State statute authorizes the governor to fill all public vacancies by appointment, so outgoing Governor Heil might appoint a successor to himself. Possible appointee in these circumstances: Republican R. J. Kenny, lawyer and Heil friend.

> Heil might call a special session, let the State's legislators decide what to do. State law permits this step, but last week it was unlikely that Heil would take it because Goodland is liked by the legislators, Heil is not.

Finally, the State Supreme Court took jurisdiction.

Wisconsin citizens, not a little miffed to learn their Constitution has a gap in it, waited to find out what will be what, and who who.