The Pittsburgh Press (March 22, 1944)
47 vote replies given President
Washington (UP) –
President Roosevelt, still nursing a slight cold, today studied replies from 47 state governors to his inquiry about use of the proposed federal war ballot.
Whether Mr. Roosevelt will sign or veto the bill for limited use of a federal war ballot for servicemen depends on what conclusions he reaches, from replies of the Governors, about whether more persons could vote under existing law or under the bill.
Only South Carolina has made no reply.
Of the five replies revealed today, only that of Texas Governor Coke Stevenson contained a flat assurance that his state would permit use of the proposed federal ballot.
A breakdown of the 47 replies showed this lineup:
- States definitely accepting: Seven.
- States which consider their own laws sufficient and will not accept: Seventeen.
- States which probably will not accept: Five.
- States which will make an effort to authorize use: Fourteen.
- Undecided: Three.
- States conditionally accepting: One.
Hannegan pleads for ‘solid front’
Hartford, Connecticut (UP) –
Democratic National Chairman Robert E. Hannegan appealed to party leaders in Connecticut last night to present a solid front “to see that the present administration and Franklin D. Roosevelt are continued in office.”
He said:
No election since the birth of the Republic hinged on graver issues than are involved in what takes place next November. The problems of war and peace cannot be separated.
Mr. Hannegan charged that Republicans were “working in every state to capitalize on every complaint.” He had no assurance, he said, that Mr. Roosevelt would seek a fourth term, “but I have no doubt that if he runs, he’ll win.”