America at war! (1941–) – Part 4

3610

americavotes1944

Kelly accused in removal of ballot official

Cabinet aide denies pressure in ouster

Washington (UP) –
Under Secretary of Navy Ralph A. Bard said today that a former Republican businessman who was to have directed distribution of war ballots in the Pacific was removed because he had once been “an active partisan political worker,” and not because of any pressure from Democratic leaders.

Mr. Bard specifically denied charges by Senator Homer Ferguson (R-MI) that the war ballot officer – identified as LtCdr. Edward McGinnis – was replaced because of pressure brought by Mayor Edward J. Kelly of Chicago.

Mr. Bard, a Republican, said Cdr. McGinnis was removed only in the interests of nonpartisanship when it was found that prior to joining the Navy he had been “an active partisan political worker in Chicago.”

Mr. Bard said in a statement:

Nothing was ever said to me by Senator Lucas about votes for Mr. Roosevelt. At no time did I talk to Mayor Kelly on this subject. The action taken was highly proper, was thoroughly approved by Capt. William D. Puleston, who was in charge of the ballot distribution, and I have no apologies whatever to offer in connection therewith.

Wrote to Green

He said that he wrote a letter explaining the incident to Senator Theodore F. Green (D-RI), chairman of the Senate Campaign Committee of which Senator Ferguson is a member. “As I have had no reply or comment,” he said, “I judge the explanation was satisfactory to the committee as a whole.”

Senator Ferguson, detailing his charges at a press conference, said that he decided to make the matter public after Democratic committee members blocked his proposal that the group investigate.

He said:

Certainly, the public is entitled to know what a political boss can do in Washington. Mayor Kelly was interested in the reelection of Mr. Roosevelt and Senator Lucas was just slightly interested – he’s up for reelection.

Had not talked to Bard

He said that he had not talked with Mr. Bard, although he has requested an interview. “Mr. Bard is the man who should appear before the committee,” he added.

Senator Green said that the committee had made a preliminary inquiry but had decided not to conduct a formal investigation. Senator Ferguson and Senator Joseph H. Ball (R-MN) voted for the inquiry but Senator Green and Senator Tom Stewart (D-TN), the latter voting by proxy, opposed the move.

3611

americavotes1944

OK for Roosevelt by UMW doubted

Welch, West Virginia (UP) –
“The validity and sincerity of all the Roosevelt endorsements… by UMW locals in the state… have become questionable,” William W. Lester, field director of District 29 of the United Mine Workers, declared in a speech here last night.

Mr. Lester asserted that the endorsement of President Roosevelt for reelection by several UMW locals “actually had been a split vote on the question with most of the members not voting at all.”

He said that a vote of the UMW local at Coalwood had resulted in 15 members splitting a vote with Mr. Roosevelt receiving eight and Mr. Dewey receiving seven.

He reported that “of 751 UMW members at Hemphill, only 18 voted, with 17 of the votes being for Mr. Roosevelt and one against him.”

At the Jenkins-Jones operation, he said, “only 20 persons out of 1,400 employed voted in an attempt to secure endorsement of President Roosevelt,” he reported the voting a “failure.”

The UMW official declared that “two local officers at ASCO adopted a resolution endorsing Mr. Roosevelt and then announced that the local had given such a vote. In reality,” he asserted, “no endorsement of Mr. Roosevelt was secured.”

The district union official declared that “the conflict of opinion among UMW members in the southern coal fields has gone to such an extent that endorsements have become questionable.”

3612

americavotes1944

GOP promises Yanks a break, Martin insists

Says peace must be ‘open, aboveboard’

Trenton, New Jersey – (special)
Pennsylvania Governor Edward Martin told a Republican meeting here last night that men and women in the Armed Forces “want no part in the great military, economic designs of future four-power imperialism.”

Governor Thomas E. Dewey and his running mate, Governor John W. Bricker, Mr. Martin said, want to give the World War II veteran the chance in life he deserves and “they do not plan that the oncoming American generation shall spend its days in some foreign barracks or on some forgotten island base in distant seas.”

‘Open’ peace demanded

The peace that is coming, the Pennsylvania Governor said, must be written by the best minds of America and other peace-loving nations, and it must have the approval of the American people.

He said:

It [the peace] must be made in the open and aboveboard. It must be discussed so Americans will understand it. The way to lose it is to write it behind closed doors. Political intrigue will kill it before it is born.

‘A nonpartisan peace’

Governor Dewey has made it plain that we will have a nonpartisan peace, Whatever has been well and wisely done by the present administration need not be lost. We should bear in mind the terrific physical punishment endured by both the President and the Secretary of State.

We must recall how Woodrow Wilson’s help was lost for that reason when World War I came to an end. We must remember that history may repeat itself if the President is reelected.

Roosevelt bets two bits on vote

Washington (UP) –
President Roosevelt said yesterday he had made an election bet – 25 cents even money – on the outcome of the election in a certain state.

He said he made the bet recently on his campaign train.

Mindful of the law in New York State designed to prevent voters from betting on the election, a reporter asked whether his bet would disqualify him in the balloting.

No, the President said, laughing the bet was made outside of New York State. To reporters who wanted to know how and with whom he bet, the President cupped his hands around his mouth in a mock stage whisper and said it was none of their business.

He said he had not yet made his usual secret guess on the outcome in electoral votes but would write it soon and lock it in his top desk drawer.

3613

americavotes1944

Truman here tomorrow on speaking tour

Syria Mosque rally to highlight visit

Senator Harry S. Truman, in the first visit to the district by a Democratic national nominee, will make half a dozen speeches tomorrow in a tour through Pittsburgh, the Turtle Creek Valley and Fayette County.

The vice-presidential candidate will appear tomorrow night at a rally in Syria Mosque, featuring half a dozen speakers and a radio reception of President Roosevelt’s speech from the White House.

At the Mosque with Senator Truman will be former Governor Gifford Pinchot, screen and radio celebrity Orson Welles; James L. McDevitt, president of the Pennsylvania Federation of Labor (AFL), and Mrs. Kermit Roosevelt. Mr. Pinchot and Mr. McDonald are officers of the National Citizens Political Action Committee.

To make short speeches

Senator Truman’s party will arrive in Pittsburgh at 8:45 a.m. EWT on a special car on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and his tour will start at 10 o’clock from the William Penn Hotel.

He will make 10-minute speeches at 10:45 a.m. at 8th Street and Braddock Avenue, Braddock, and at 11:30 a.m. at the gate of the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company plant at Cable and Braddock Avenues. At noon, he will speak at the Wilmerding plant of the Westinghouse Airbrake Company.

Kane to introduce him

After a luncheon at the Penn-McKee Hotel McKeesport, at 12:30 p.m., he will go to Fayette County for a speech at the courthouse in Uniontown at 3:30 p.m. At 6:15, he will broadcast a 15-minute speech over KQV, to be rebroadcast by WCAE at 11:15 p. m. and at 9:00 p.m., he will appear at Syria Mosque. He will leave Pittsburgh at 12:32 a.m.

County Commissioner John J. Kane, pre-convention Truman booster, who seconded his nomination at the Democratic National Convention, will introduce the vice-presidential candidate at the Mosque meeting, which will begin at 8:00 p.m.

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americavotes1944

Both for the Chief –
Truman, Wallace on same platform

Time Dewey changed, Senator insists

New York (UP) –
Vice President Henry A. Wallace and Senator Harry S. Truman, nominated by the Democrats to succeed him, spoke from the same platform last night for the first time since the Democratic Convention and called for the reelection of President Roosevelt.

Speaking at a Madison Square Garden rally sponsored by New York’s Liberal Party, both asserted Mr. Roosevelt’s experience was needed to win the war and the peace. Both attacked the Republican record on foreign policy.

Agrees on ‘change’

Criticizing the Republican foreign policy record, Senator Truman said:

In the face of this dismal Republican record, Governor Dewey’s only answer is that it’s time for a change. I agree with him – it’s time to change some of the isolationist faces in the Senate and the House… Yes, I agree it’s time for a change – a change in the inconsistent and deceptive policies of Thomas E. Dewey.

He concluded that Mr. Roosevelt was “qualified as no other American is qualified to lead our people to victory in war and to progress in peace.”

‘Wallace in ‘48’ cries

Mr. Wallace received the greater ovation from the crowd of 20,000. There were cries of “Wallace in ‘48” when the Vice President spoke. He said:

We still have a war to win. Every sane person knows Roosevelt can do a better job of winning that war than Dewey. We still have a peace to write, and all well-informed people know that Roosevelt’s broad experience in international affairs makes him infinitely the stronger man in this field.

Keep them in right places

Mr. Wallace called Governor Dewey “patriotic, intelligent and fine in every way."

He said:

But the war is a serious matter and the problems of the peace are grievous. The people of New York have two well-known citizens and they should do their duty by each. They should keep their governor in Albany and their President, whose experience so richly qualifies him to be there, in the White House.

Senator Truman will speak over a statewide radio hookup from Parkersburg, West Virginia, tonight from 8:00 to 8:30 p.m. EWT.

Mr. Truman’s speech will be on KQV at 10:00 p.m. Mr. Wallace’s speech tonight in New York will be on WCAE at 11 o’clock.

Jesse Jones lauds Roosevelt’s record

Washington (UP) –
Secretary of Commerce Jesse H. Jones said last night that President Roosevelt led the nation out of history’s worst depression, is leading it to victory in World War II and must remain in office “to establish a lasting peace.”

He said that in his opinion, based on 12 years of close association with the President, Mr. Roosevelt’s reelection would be “to the best interests of the United States, and of the world.”

“We could not have the fate of our boys, and our country’s future, in better hands,” he said.

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americavotes1944

Hillman predicts ‘purge’ in House

New York (UP) –
Sidney Hillman, chairman of the National Citizens Political Action Committee, predicted yesterday that at least 25 opponents of the Roosevelt administration in the House of Representatives will be defeated through the efforts of the PAC.

“Most of them are Republicans,” he told a luncheon meeting of religious associates of the NCPAC at the Hotel Commodore. “The reason they are going to be defeated is because of the opposition to the national program and the war effort.”

Mr. Hillman predicted that 50 million votes would be cast Tuesday. He said that he was “quite sure” President Roosevelt would carry New York State over Governor Thomas E. Dewey. He said the PAC would have 20,000 volunteer workers in New York City alone. He scoffed at charges that the PAC was “connected” with Communists. “Communism never will take over this country while we have a happy country and while we work for the people,” he said.

Bricker in Ohio, will tour East

Aboard Bricker campaign train en route to Toledo (UP) –
Ohio Governor John W. Bricker was on the road again today carrying his campaign for votes through Ohio before swinging east in an attempt to capture New York and Pennsylvania for the Republicans.

The GOP vice-presidential nominee visited his state house office in Columbus yesterday for the first time in more than a month as he pointed up speeches he will deliver this week.

Speaks in Toledo

Governor Bricker resumed his drive with a rear-platform talk at Delaware, Ohio, this afternoon, followed by similar talks at Marion, Upper Sandusky, Carey and Fostoria.

Tonight, he speaks in Toledo.

Tomorrow, he makes two night speeches at Peterson, New Jersey, at 9:30 ET and at Queens, New York, immediately afterward. He ends his campaign at Cleveland Saturday with a major speech, nationally broadcast over the Blue Network at 8:30 p.m.

Assurance From Dewey

In a press conference last night, he said he believed the Farm Belt states would go Republican in Tuesday’s election.

He also said he had received a telephone call from Governor Thomas E. Dewey, GOP presidential nominee, shortly after his arrival in Columbus and that he “assured me the Republicans will carry New York.”

3616

Navy ace bags 9 Japs in one battle

By George E. Jones, United Press staff writer

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U.S. subs bag 18 more Jap ships

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3617

On Italian front –
Yanks, Brazilians hurl back attacks

Nazis lose heavily and fail to gain

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3618

Naval fliers destroy 2,594 Jap aircraft

Nimitz lists toll for two months

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3619

Simms: Aviation conference opens but Russia stays away

Soviet Union, at present, wants no outsiders flying in, so she bides her time
By William Philip Simms, Scripps-Howard foreign editor

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3620

U.S. Air Force will continue raids in China

Chennault comments on loss of bases
By A. T. Steele

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Probe of Lend-Lease use in China asked by Reynolds

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3621

Stimson aide lauds Stilwell on visit here

Patterson says he will get big job

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3622

Yanks hammer German oil, rail targets

Cologne battered again by RAF

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The war didn’t end –
Scientist too kindhearted to turn loose cosmic ray

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3623

Kirkpatrick: Fifth column still active in France

Endangers relations with U.S., Britain
By Helen Kirkpatrick

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3624

americavotes1944

Editorial: The Man from Mars knows

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3625

Editorial: Still for sharing scarcity

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3626

americavotes1944

Editorial: No ‘personal representative’

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3627

Edson: Committee lists 444 agencies in government

By Peter Edson

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3628

Ferguson: A memorial

By Mrs. Walter Ferguson

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3629

americavotes1944

Background of news –
The cost of an election

By Bertram Benedict

Perhaps $50 million will be spent to elect a President and Congress in 1944.

In 1940, there was spent on the election of President and Senate the sum of $22,740,313, according to the Gillette Committee of the Senate to investigate campaign expenditures. But this figure did not include the expenses of electing the 435 members of the House of Representatives. Neither did it include the cost of campaigns for nomination – whether by primary or convention. Nor did it include such expenditures by county, city, precinct and other local groups as were really attributable to the national campaign.

Finally, it did not and could not include private expenditures by personal friends of candidates – often in the form of cash from person to person without any record.

In 1937, the Lonergan Committee of the Senate, which reported expenditures of $23,973,329 in 1936 for the election of President and Senate, concluded:

If the committee might venture an approximation of the total cost of the election of 1936, it would indicate a figure relatively double the sum which it has tabulated and presented.

Of the expenditures of almost $23 million reported by the Gillette Committee in 1940, 66 percent ($14,941,143) was spent by regular Republican committees, 27 percent ($6,095,358) by regular Democratic committees, seven percent ($1,703,813) by other bodies and minor parties.

Time set for reports

The Federal Corrupt Practices Act of 1925 requires political committees to report on their finances two weeks before a national election. On Oct. 28 last, the Republican National Committee reported contributions of $2,428,321, the Democratic National Committee contributions of $1,093,178. The National Citizens Political Action Committee reported receipts of only $271,371 – a far cry from the $3 million it originally set as its goal. This body was organized on July 7, 1944. The original PAC had receipts of $669,764 by May 31, 1944.

A number of federal statutes theoretically limit campaign contributions and expenditures in national elections:

  • No corporation or national bank may contribute (Corrupt Practices Act of 1925, following earlier act of 1907). Neither may labor organization (Anti-Strike Act of 1943).

  • No single political committee may receive or spend more than $3 million in any year (Hatch Act of 1940).

  • No person may contribute more than $5,000 in any one year for any candidate for a federal office or in connection with any campaign for nomination or election (Hatch Act of 1940).

Evasion is too easy

But these restrictions are too easily evaded to mean anything. Corporations buy advertising space in convention programs and tickets for their officials to $100-a-plate political banquets. And the CIO has created its own organization for the 1944 campaign, just as AFL bodies always work directly to elect or defeat candidates for Congress.

What used to be the activities of a single national committee are now split among several national organizations, while state and local committees also work for the success of the national ticket.

And many members of a family follow the lead of the head of the family – in 1940, 65 members of the du Pont family contributed a total of $186,780 to 25 different bodies working for Republican victories, and Mr. Lamont du Pont alone contributed $49,000 to committees in 11 different states (In 1936, the du Pont family contributed $520,000; to the Democrats, the late Walter A. Jones of Pittsburgh alone gave $104,500 and the United Mine Workers donated $100,000 to the DNC alone).