The Pittsburgh Press (March 24, 1944)
In Washington –
President hints he won’t sign soldier bill
May let it become law without signature
Washington (UP) –
President Roosevelt indicated today that he will permit the new soldier vote bill to become law with or without his signature. He said he expects to issue a statement on it about the middle of next week.
If he planned to veto the bill, he would have to send Congress a message explaining his disapproval. In response to a news conference inquiry whether he contemplated a statement or a message to Congress, he specifically said it would be a statement.
He said that his decision on the measure, calling for use of a federal ballot only by those servicemen whose home states specifically validate such a tally, depended on whether he found more service personnel could vote under existing law or under the bill.
President Roosevelt’s soldier vote poll among the 48 governors was completed when South Carolina Governor Olin D. Johnston said his would not accept the proposed federal war ballot for servicemen.
A final tabulation showed that 16 states definitely will not accept the federal ballot and eight probably will not.
The poll indicates that half the states are virtually committed against the administration-endorsed federal ballot.
Only seven states definitely will permit use of the federal ballot, while 12 others have indicated they might. Three states are doubtful and two are undecided.