In his thirty-six years of service as Congressional representative from Massachusetts' ninth district, John McCormack has consistently led the fight in the House for passage of social legislation and other liberal measures. As Sam Rayburn's able assistant, McCormack helped steer through the 1940 Selective Service Act, the Lend-Lease Act and the Marshall Plan. As Speaker of the House he has been instrumental in passing bills in support of civil rights, tax reduction, conservation, and the war on poverty.

As McCormack has become more involved with the politics of the House and with national problems he has paid little attention to those of his constituents. He has not kept them informed of activities in the House. His unfamiliarity with poor health conditions, unemployment and de facto segregation in his own district have precluded proposals on the general range of urban problems which have arisen during his tenure in office. McCormack has rarely been the author of any of the liberal bills that he has worked to pass.

It is precisely on these new urban issues that McCormack's Independent opponent, Noel Day, offers his strongest challenge. Day, benefiting from his active involvement in community affairs and knowledge of local conditions has advanced creative proposals for revising and expanding existing social legislation. The action groups that Day has formed to mobilize the groups most severely affected by urban disorganization add a new perspective to solving urban problems.

Nevertheless, Day picked the wrong man to run against. McCormack, through long service, has developed important political alliances in the House; and, as Speaker, has power and influence that Day would lack. Moreover, McCormack's defeat would require the election of a new Speaker, undoubtedly increasing the influence of forces which both he and Day oppose. Either Carl Albert, an ultra-conservative from Oklahoma, or Hale Boggs of Louisiana, who is limited by the demands of a conservative constituency, would probably inherit the position.

But a victory for McCormack will be truly meaningful only if he listens to questions Day has raised and examines more closely the problems of the ninth district.