The Pittsburgh Press (April 25, 1944)
Yanks rip airfields; RAF rains fire bombs
500,000 incendiaries soar Nazi rail hubs; coast also pounded
By Phil Ault, United Press staff writer
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New Guinea hit by land and air
Fliers use new fields to support infantry
By William B. Dickinson, United Press staff writer
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Americans seize another atoll
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Americans gain on beachhead
Recapture 3 points in local attacks
By Reynolds Packard, United Press staff writer
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Even one board is absent –
County’s voters shun polls for presidential primary
By Kermit McFarland
Allegheny County voters stayed away from the polls in record numbers today as Pennsylvania went through the motions of a presidential primary.
Veteran political leaders said they could not recall a quieter election, or a lighter vote. Apparently the indifference in Allegheny County was typical of the state.
Distracted by war news and unmoved by the relatively few real contests in the primary, voters failed to respond to efforts to turn them out today.
The polls opened at 7:00 a.m. ET and were scheduled to close at 8:00 p.m.
In one district, only four voters had appeared an hour and a half after the polls opened, in another seven at 9:30 a.m., in another two at 9:00 a.m. And so it went around the county.
Political headquarters reported none of the customary complaints or requests for information from poll workers.
The high spot of the morning voting was a telephone call from the 19th district of the 4th Ward which reported there was no election board, no chairs or tables, no light and no heat. Only one board member showed up, somebody stole the chairs and table and somebody forgot to turn on the electricity.
In McKeesport, the municipal offices were at work on orders of Mayor Buchanan for the first time in years.
Despite the small turnout of voters, elections boards did not expect an early end to their counting job. Although many of the nominations at stake in today’s primary are uncontested, the election of delegates to the national conventions and members of party committees make a long ballot and slow up the tabulation.
Political organizations, in the main, were content with the light vote, since it enhanced the prospects for slated candidates. Independent candidates, seeking to break these slates, worked industriously, but apparently with small success, in an effort to turn out the independent vote.
All of the Allegheny County contests of any note are in the Republican primary. Candidates endorsed by the Democratic county organization either are unopposed or face only minor competition.
Pledge for Dewey
The principal action of the day came in a statement by Paul F. Hanzel, candidate in the 32nd district for delegate to the Republican National Convention. He announced he will support Governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York for President on the first and all ballots.
This created a relative “sensation” in the drab primary because no other Republican delegate candidates have announced themselves.
Candidate for delegate quits
The only other development of the day in political ranks was the withdrawal of a candidate for delegate to the Republican National Convention – Robert R. Work of 818 Heberton Avenue, whose name is on the ballot in the 29th district. He withdrew in favor of William P. Witherow, president of Blaw-Knox Company, who, with County Commissioner John S. Herron, has been endorsed by the Republican organization. There are no other candidates.
Assured of renomination by the Republicans is U.S. Senator James J. Davis. Also without opposition in the Republican primary are Supreme Court Justice Howard W. Hughes of Washington, Edgar W. Bair of Philadelphia (for State Treasurer) and Senator G. Harold Watkins of Schuylkill County (for Auditor General).
For Superior Court
Superior Court Judge Arthur H. James and his running mate, Judge J. Frank Graff of Kittanning, were expected to win nominations for the Superior Court, although Judge Chester H. Rhodes, a Democrat, is also entered on the Republican ballot.
Judge James is also running on the Democratic ballot, but Judge Rhodes and Auditor General F. Clair Ross are expected to win the Democratic nomination easily.
Congressman Francis J. Myers of Philadelphia, slated candidate for the U.S. Senate nomination, and federal judge Charles Alvin Jones, endorsed for the Supreme Court, are unopposed in the Democratic primary. Also unopposed is Ramsey S. Black, third assistant postmaster general, seeking the Democratic nomination for State Treasurer.
GOP battles here
John F. Breslin, a deputy in the Auditor General’s office, is running against State Treasurer G. Harold Wagner for the auditor general nomination.
Allegheny County lists Republican Congressional contests in four of the five districts, but no Democratic Congressman is opposed for renomination.
Voting light in Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts (UP) –
Partial tests of President Roosevelt’s possible fourth term strength and Governor Thomas E. Dewey’s popularity in this state featured Massachusetts presidential primary today.
An extremely light vote was forecast, with perhaps not more than 100,000 ballots to be cast among the 2,450,000 which were distributed in the 351 cities and towns.
Cheering thousands join Kellys in welcoming home their hero
Official celebration set for tomorrow
By Gilbert Love
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Guess is right and U.S. Fleet stops Japs
Adm. King’s decisive decision revealed
By Sandor S. Klein, United Press staff writer
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Roosevelt told of bias danger in sedition trial
Selection of jury lags into sixth day
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Court majority accused of tripping on ‘formalism’
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Civil liberties involved in sedition trial setup
Linking of those with recorded convictions resented by those who have clean slate
By Charles T. Lucey, Scripps-Howard staff writer
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Simms: U.S., Britain near broad understanding
Trade, air, money defense involved
By William Philip Simms, Scripps-Howard foreign editor
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