McCarthy, RFK Gaining in Iowa

DAVENPORT, Iowa, March 26--With returns from Monday evening's 2484 Democratic precinct caucuses still coming in, Senator Eugene J. McCarthy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy '48 have emerged in stronger positions than President Johnson to capture Iowa's 46 national convention votes.

McCarthy backers, working alone or with Kennedy support, appear to have taken three of Iowa's seven congressional districts. They have substantial support in the four other districts and may still win several of them.

Anti-Johnson forces scored large majorities in Iowa's cities. They won in Iowa City, Waterloo, Dubuque, Council Bluffs, Davenport, and ran very strong in Polk County (Des Moines).

Students ousted long-time Democratic party officials in Davenport and Iowa City (University of Iowa).

Delegates are forbidden by Iowa law to be pledged to candidates. Because of this, McCarthy and Kennedy-backed delegates are permitted to change their minds about which of the anti-war candidates they will support before the national convention.