Independents aim for WLB representation
Matthew Smith, MESA leader, spearheads drive at convention
By Fred W. Perkins, Pittsburgh Press staff writer
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Too much ‘Dear Alben’ –
Barkley almost balks at last-minute plea
Leader feared people would think he and Roosevelt were ‘like that’ again
By Daniel M. Kidney, Scripps-Howard staff writer
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Marcantonio has his joke –
Fourth-term decision awaits further tests
Jittery House thrown into a political dither at rumor of Roosevelt withdrawal
By Thomas L. Stokes, Scripps-Howard staff writer
Washington –
Much of the talk about Senate Democratic Leader Barkley’s defiance of President Roosevelt over the tax bill veto, and the resultant stiffened backbone of Democrats in Congress, concerns the possible effect on a fourth-term nomination for the President.
Nobody can tell now, of course.
No great activity developed immediately, however, among those Democrats in Congress who would like to stop renomination.
The practical situation in the party is well illustrated by a little incident in the House. Rep. Vito Marcantonio (AL-NY) sidled up to a group of Democrats and remarked that news had just come over the wires that President Roosevelt had announced he would not run for a fourth term.
It was like a bombshell. Their faces fell several feet. The New Yorker walked away. Later he went into the cloakroom. Members asked for more details. He thought he had carried this joke far enough and said:
He also named his successor – Joe Martin.
Time alone can tell
But still it wasn’t such a funny joke.
The consensus about the Capitol is that the effect on the Democratic Party and on renomination of the President depends on whether the conflict develops further to the stage of bitterness and no retreat, or whether it is adjusted amicably.
This, of course, must await the raising of another issue to see how both sides react. It might come if Congress sent to the President a soldier-vote bill that eliminated the short federal ballot and left only state ballots. A conference of House and Senate is still debating this issue.
Benefits are expected
Mr. Roosevelt previously characterized the state ballot bill passed by the House “a fraud,” which incensed Republicans and Southern Democrats – the incipiently explosive wings of the party – who sponsored it.
After Senator Barkley had been vindicated by his colleagues by unanimous reelection as leader, there was a feeling that the eventual result might be beneficial to the party now that Congress had had its say through the Kentucky Senator.
There was a feeling that President Roosevelt hereafter might be more conciliatory, which he seemed to indicate in the letter to the Senator, and that he might be more considerate of Congress.
Orders FOR the White House
The Senator, himself, in his reply to the President, opened the way for future cooperation by saying he hoped his resignation and reelection would work toward closer harmony between the White House and Congress. But he emphasized that he had retained his leadership only at the insistence of the Senate.
Senator Barkley has at least for the time being, shifted his role. He is now responsible to the Senate rather than to the White House, and henceforth would be expected to speak up for the Senate at the White House, rather than acting merely as the bearer of presidential orders from the White House to the Senate.
Reports from Kentucky, which went Republican in November in the Governor’s race, are that the Senator is facing an uphill fight, and the view about the Senate is that his show of independence may help in his race for reelection.
In Washington –
Hershey tells need to take some farmers
Aide says one of every 10 fathers 3-A Feb. 1 face call
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Poll: 43% of people fail to join in paper salvage
9 million still uninformed on drive despite wide newspaper publicity
By George Gallup, Director, American Institute of Public Opinion
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Radio ownership by newspapers faces new fight
‘Equality for all groups’ asked by publishers but Congress may have to decide issue based on policies of FCC
By Charles T. Lucey, Scripps-Howard staff writer
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The people must know –
Americans should get all of the war news, the good and the bad
By Palmer Hoyt, North American Newspaper Alliance
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Terror over Germany –
Rossi: ‘Never was so scared, but I kept on firing’
By 2nd Lt. Antonio M. Rossi, as told to the United Press
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Baruch Report simplified –
War contracts must be ended fast and fairly
Reconversion depends on government’s getting out of business
By Arthur F. Degreve, United Press staff writer
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Communists lose their ballot plea
San Francisco, California (UP) –
The State Supreme Court today denied an application brought by the Communist Party which sought to restrain Secretary of State Frank M. Jordan from removing the party from the California state primary ballot May 16.
The court’s ruling upheld the constitutionality of the election code which provides that whenever the registration of any political party falls below one-tenth of one percent of the total state registration, that party shall not be qualified to participate in the next primary election.
Editorial: Soldier votes in the primary
Congress is still engaged in a political wrangle over the enactment of a law which will enable the members of the Armed Forces to cast a ballot in this year’s election.
But whatever Congress does, if anything, it is unlikely that any federal legislation will be applied to the primaries, which will take place over a period of seven or eight months, according to varying state laws.
Pennsylvanians in the Armed Forces, if they are to vote in the April 25 primary, must vote under the Pennsylvania Military Ballot Act. This law, while cumbersome and circumscribed with a certain amount of red tape, does give the soldier a chance to vote.
However, the man or woman in the Armed Forces who wishes a military ballot for the primary must apply for that ballot within a prescribed time. The first day to apply is March 6. The last day to apply is March 25. Postmarks govern in all cases.
Voters who apply for military ballots must have been previously registered. If they were registered voters when they were inducted into the service, that registration still stands. If they were not registered, they may apply to their home registration commission for a card, which has to be returned.
It is highly improbable that many members of the Armed Forces, especially those overseas, will be able to comply with all the requirements of the Military Ballot Act.
They will not remember, it they ever knew, the dates within which applications may be made for ballots.
But the families and friends at home can help them by writing letters of reminder. Suggest in them that they apply to the County Board of Elections for a military ballot – if they are registered. If they are not registered, tell them to ask for registration by writing to the Pittsburgh Registration Commission, if they live in Pittsburgh, or to the County Elections Board if they live elsewhere.