The Nome Nugget

Kefauver Returns
Stevenson Charge
Of Disloyalty

It looks like bare-knuckle campaigning from now on by both Adlai Stevenson and Sen. Estes Kefauver.

These two rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination swapped sharp verbal punches at long range Friday, and appeared ready for more close-in fighting this week when both of them stump Florida.

In Paterson, N.J., Kefauver accused Stevenson of "mud slinging" and said such tactics smacked of "a man who is desperate."

Kefauver called a news conference after reading that Stevenson, earlier in the day, had accused him of injuring Democratic unity and of Senate absenteeism at times when votes were taken on certain vital bills. But even before he was aware of Stevenson's remarks in a Jacksonville, Fla., speech, Kefauver had been "slinging mud" by making fun of his hand-shaking style of campaigning.

Lashing back at Stevenson, Kefauver said "I didn't cry" after losing out at the Democratic convention four years ago. "I got out and worked to help Mr. Stevenson and the Democratic Party," Kefauver asserted.

Kefauver said it wasn't true-as Stevenson charged-that he had been absent on important Senate votes, adding: "I think my voting record shows a very good attendance."

The Tennessean also replied to Stevenson in kind, contending his opponent's course of action will "hurt the Democratic Party."