7 states accept federal ballot
40 may spurn it; one unreported
Washington (UP) –
Formal replies from all except one state showed today that only seven governors have given President Roosevelt definite assurance they will permit overseas servicemen from their states to use the federal war ballot if the President signs the pending soldier vote bill.
Only South Carolina remained to be heard from after the White House announced that replies had been received yesterday from Texas, Tennessee, Wyoming, Michigan and Oregon. Of these, only Texas Governor Coke Stevenson gave flat assurance that his state would permit use of the federal ballot.
Two take stand
Meanwhile, North Dakota and Nevada, which previously were undecided, indicated they probably would not permit use of the federal ballot.
Mr. Roosevelt, still nursing a head cold and confined to his study, perused the 47 replies to determine whether he should sign or veto the bill. He must act by midnight of March 31 or the measure becomes law without his signature.
State lineup
Here is how the states stand on the federal ballot issue:
- Definitely will accept: Seven.
- Will not accept: 15.
- Probably will not accept: Eight.
- Will make efforts to permit use of federal ballot: 13.
- Will use only if necessary: Two.
- Undecided: Two.
- Unreported: One.
President Roosevelt has received telegrams from 856 individuals asking that he veto the bill and telegrams from four persons urging him to sign it, the White House said.