Election Day 1946 (11-5-46)

1

The Evening Star (November 5, 1946)

RECORD OFF-YEAR VOTE INDICATED
Balloting heavy in New York

Both parties get cheerful news in returns
By the Associated Press

Brisk and early voting in the big cities set a pace for the national congressional elections today that indicated a record off-year turnout.

From New York to Salt Lake City, heavy voting in metropolitan areas piled up the prospect of more than 35,000,000 ballots in the first peacetime general elections in six years.

The rush to the polls had 45 percent of New York City’s 2,713,136 registered voters recorded by noon.

In other New York State centers, officials called the voting “normal to heavy.”

Gains scored by both parties

Both major parties found something to cheer in the initial fragmentary returns as the counting began.

One Michigan precinct which went Republican by 7 to 6 in 1942, the last off-year election, turned in a 12 to 1 count for the GOP.

Mount Washington, in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts, turned in a Democratic gain over two years ago in the gubernatorial contest. Democratic Candidate Maurice J. Tobon got 15 votes to 27 for Republican Robert F. Bradford.

Two years ago, Mr. Tobin received eight votes in that precinct to 29 for Republican Horace T. Cahill.

In the Massachusetts senatorial contest, Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., Republican, was leading Sen. Walsh, seeking re-election, by a vote of 32 to 9, in the Mount Washington vote.

Chicago turnout heavy

Election officials called the early turnout in Chicago “very heavy,” although Illinois had neither governorship nor senatorial races.

In Ohio it was “unusually heavy.” In Michigan it was the same. Similar reports came from Pennsylvania. Kansas City reported an exceptionally heavy early vote.

A turnout of more than 35,000,000 voters has been predicted. At stake are 35 Senate scats, 432 House seats and 33 governorships.

Weather fine as rule

For the country as a whole, fine fall weather encouraged a large vote. An exception was the Rocky Mountain area, where one of the heaviest snowstorms in years moved in over the weekend.

Despite the heat engendered by some contests, the forenoon balloting saw no major violence. In New York City’s Harlem a Republican district captain reported he was slugged from behind while walking near a polling place. He suffered a lacerated scalp and possible in ternal injuries.

In the swelling tide of ballots, the voters registered their reaction to nearly 15 months of government efforts to shift the nation’s economic machinery from war to peace.

Republicans optimistic

On that prime issue, Republicans confidently predicted the Democrats would be swept out of power in Congress, where they have held the upper hand in both houses since 1932.

Democrats, generally fighting a defensive battle against assaults on their handling the reconversion problems, conceded they may suffer some losses. But they contended they will keep the legislative machinery in their grasp. They apparently were more confident, however, or retaining Senate control than of holding the House in line.

The Republicans need a net gain of 10 seats to win control of the Senate and 25 to take over the House. The Democrats could lose 7 in the Senate and 17 in the House and still hold the legislative whip hand.

Rumor of special session

The possibility of a divided Congress, with the GOP winning the House and the Democrats keeping the Senate, already had started Washington’s rumor factory talking of the possibility of a special session call immediately after the election.

But one responsible Democratic official, who asked not to be quoted by name, said President Truman has given no intimation of any such plan.

This officeholder said Republicans undoubtedly would be able to block any administration-sponsored legislation in such a lame duck session.

Truman prestige factor

Because of his residence in Independence, Missouri, President Truman voted in the 4th congressional district. Hence he could not participate in the 5th (Kansas City) district race which he lifted to top billing among the congressional fights by personally indorsing Enos A. Axtell in the primary over Rep. Slaughter, the Democratic incumbent.

Mr. Axtell, who received the nomination, is opposed by Republican Albert L. Reeves Jr., son of a federal judge, in what is regarded as a neck-and-neck race.

Otherwise, Mr. Truman has kept personally aloof from the general congressional battle, even though the outcome may have much to do with whether he is a candidate for re-election in 1948 and whether he can win if he is. Almost traditionally, the party which wins an off-year election such as this takes, or keeps, the White House two years later.

500 Senate, House and governor posts at stake in voting

By the Associated Press

Senate, House and governor seats at stake in today’s voting: 500, divided as follows:
Senate 35
House 432
Governor 33

Candidates running for these offices total 1,065, as follows:
Senate 97
House 880
Governor 88

The Axtell-Reeves battle shares interest in Missouri with the dingdong Senate contest between Sen. Briggs, Democratic incumbent, and Republican James P. Kem, Kansas City attorney. A loss for Sen. Briggs, who also received the president’s endorsement, would dim some of Mr. Truman’s home state prestige. An estimated 1,000,000 Missourians are expected to vote

Across the nation, other potential 1948 presidential candidates were involved in affairs of their own.

Dewey seen easy victor

Gov. Thomas E. Dewey of New York, who carried the GOP presidential banner in 1944, indirectly put himself in line for another try at it in 1948 with a re-election campaign. Republicans confidently predicted a substantial margin for Gov. Dewey over Sen. Mead, Democrat.

In Ohio, former Gov. John W. Bricker, who held second place on the 1944 Republican national ticket, strove for a wide majority over Democratic Sen. Huffman. In Michigan, Sen. Vandenberg, mentioned as a possible presidential candidate, seemed to have only nominal opposition in Democrat James H. Lee.

Gov. Earl Warren of California, talked as a possible dark horse for the 1948 GOP nomination, gave last-minute aid to Sen. Knowland, Republican, who was locked in a close tussle with Will Rogers Jr., Democrat, in the Senate race. Gov. Warren was sure of re-election, with both major party nominations.

Other senatorial contests which attracted attention included those between Sen. Walsh, Democrat, and former Sen. Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., Republican, in Massachusetts. the colorful battle between Sen. Chavez, Democrat, and former Ambassador Patrick J. Hurley, Republican, in New Mexico and the effort of Gov. Edward Martin, Republican, to unseat Sen. Guffey, Democrat, in Pennsylvania.

Fine appeals on radio

Party leaders leveled final blasts by radio last night in a bid to send the voters to the polls in vast numbers.

Rep. Brown, Republican campaign director, raised by five seats his previous estimates on GOP gains in the House, declaring: “I am now satisfied that he will make a net gain in the House of between 50 and 60 seats, with a rock bottom figure of 45.”

“We are going to win a majority in the Senate by either one or two seats,” Mr. Brown added. “We may win two or three more.”

Democratic Chairman Hannegan, speaking on the same program, made no forecast of the outcome, but contended the Republicans’ “one hope lies in a light vote.”

2

Big 4 and U.N. closely watch election today

Molotov hints fight for special Yugoslav position in Trieste
By the Associated Press

BULLETINS

LAKE SUCCESS, New York (UP) – White Russia, in a sharp attack on official American hospitality, asked the United Nations today to consider a European site for permanent or temporary headquarters and particularly mentioned the old League of Nations capital in Geneva.

The Netherlands today asked the Big Four nations to hand over 700 square miles of German territory to compensate Holland for damage inflicted on its economy by the Nazis. Netherlands Ambassador Alexander Loudon delivered a note containing the request to Under Secretary of State Acheson. Similar notes were delivered simultaneously in London, Moscow and Paris.

NEW YORK (AP) – Foreign diplomats, deeply engrossed in the gigantic task of building world peace, kept a sharp but discreetly silent watch on the American congressional elections today.

Persons familiar with the views of many delegations to the United Nations Assembly and the Council of Foreign Ministers reported a general belief that present foreign policies are sufficiently bipartisan to rule out any major changes. But there has been enough political controversy over the present American attitude toward Russia in particular to raise speculation about post-election trends in the conduct of American diplomacy.

The Big Four foreign ministers moved into their second day’s work on the Eastern European peace treaties amid mounting evidence that Russian Foreign Minister Molotov will stage a last-ditch fight to gain special advantages for Yugoslavia at the Adriatic port of Trieste.

Fight over site seen

The U.N. Assembly appeared to be headed for a wide-open fight over selection of a permanent home. One report was that the Russians might reverse their former stand against site in Western Europe to favor Geneva, old League of Nations headquarters. Word of this possibility follows an American move to have San Francisco and New York as well as Westchester County considered for the permanent headquarters.

A formal 51-nation debate also was assured on proposals to take United Nations action against the Franco regime in Spain. The Security Council yesterday dropped the Spanish issue from its agenda so the Assembly might act.

While the United Nations continued a heavy schedule of committee work at Lake Success, Long Island, the foreign ministers of America, Britain, Russia and France, meeting in a Manhattan hotel, rapidly came to grips with the basic issues of making peace in Europe. Their second session was scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

Byrnes presided

Mr. Molotov, Secretary of State Byrnes and British Foreign Secretary Bevin met at yesterday’s opening session, over which Mr. Byrnes presided.

Initial routines were quickly dispensed with. The Big Four decided to take up the Italian peace treaty first and then, in order, treaties with Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Finland.

These treaties were originally drafted by the Big Four. Then the Paris Peace Conference, which closed October 15, made recommendations which form the basis of the Big Four’s effort here to write final drafts.

Discussion had hardly begun on the Italian treaty yesterday when the Trieste issue was raised, emphasizing the split between Russia and the Western powers.

The foreign ministers agreed to hear arguments from Yugoslavia and Italy over the kind of United Nations government that should be set up over the strategic port city. Mr. Molotov proposed that Yugoslavia be permitted to discuss also the question of frontiers for the Trieste area.

3

President casts ballot and then takes train to return to capital

Truman accompanied to polling place by daughter Margaret
By Joseph A. Fox, Star staff correspondent

EN ROUTE TO WASHINGTON WITH PRESIDENT TRUMAN – President Truman today cast his ballot in the congressional election and then boarded his special train for the return to Washington.

“I trust you voted the straight Democratic ticket,” a reporter jibed as the president stood in the polling place, which is just around the corner from his home in Independence, Missouri.

“Yes, I did,” Mr. Truman laughed. He was accompanied to the polling place by his daughter Margaret, who was taking part in a national election for the first time. However, she voted in the Democratic primary in August.

The president helped her fold the big congressional ballot and the three smaller ones covering a bond election, a judicial election and proposed changes in the Missouri constitution.

Mr. Truman and Margaret arrived at the Memorial Building voting place, three blocks from their home at 219 Delaware St., at 9:05 a.m.

The president received his ballot from Mrs. Jesse Flowers, Republican judge, after being checked off the voting list by Mrs. James Miller, Democratic checker. Other precinct officials were Mrs. Murrel Miller, Democratic judge; Mrs. Dan Riske, Republican clerk; Mrs. A. J. Blatt, Democratic clerk; Roy Pryor, Republican judge, and his own brother-in-law, George Wallace, Democratic judge.

Mr. Truman and Margaret cast their ballots nearly an hour after Mrs. Truman had voted. She walked to the 7th precinct of the Blue Township with her sister-in-law and neighbor. Mrs. Wallace, to cast ballot No. 31.

The president went almost directly from the polling place to board his special train, which started the return to Washington at 9:30 a.m. The train is expected to reach Washington at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow.

At the station were his 93-year-old mother, Mrs. Martha E. Truman, and his sister, Miss Mary Jane Truman, who had driven from Grandview after voting earlier in the day. Mr. Truman obviously was surprised to see them.

Although Democratic control of Congress was at stake in the national election, Mr. Truman has remained determinedly on the sidelines during the campaign, and he retired to his home last night without a statement.

Mr. Truman cast one important vote – that for his old friend, Frank P. Briggs, who succeeded him in the Senate, and now is involved in a bitter fight with James P. Kem, Kansas City lawyer, for the six-year term, starting in January. Political forecasters pick the Republican Kem to win.

Rep. Bell, Democrat, who represents the Jackson County district, which includes Independence. is expected to win without trouble.

On the other side of the county, however, the president’s candidate, Enos A. Axtell, is in a “horse race” with Albert M. Reeves Jr., his Republican opponent.

4

Turnout in Maryland may pile up record count of ballots

Montgomery interest centers on charter and McDonald race

BULLETIN

Tarleton Brooke, 65-year-old Olney (Md.) farmer, and a member of the Montgomery County Charter Board in 1944, dropped dead today of a heart attack in front of the polling place in Olney.

Reports from widespread areas indicate Maryland voters are going to the polls in large numbers today to cast what may be a record count for a senator, governor, a full slate of House members and hundreds of county officials.

Montgomery County election clerks reported near record numbers were voting. Interest there is centered on the referendum on naming a charter board to draft a new plan of county government and on the 6th district House race of Democrat Arch McDonald, radio announcer.

Mr. McDonald is seeking to unseat the state’s only Republican member of the House, Rep. Beall, Frostburg.

Heavy voting in Baltimore

The all-important Baltimore vote gave indications of being extremely heavy, the Associated Press reported. Clerks and judges at several Baltimore polling places called it the heaviest early turnout they could remember.

In the strenuously contested campaign for U.S. senator which will be decided today, Gov. O’Conor is aligned against Brig. Gen. D. John Markey.

Gov. O’Conor, nearing the end of two terms in the chief executive’s chair, won the Democratic nomination for Senator after a bitter primary which unseated incumbent Sen. Radcliff in June.

Gen. Markey, Republican, is a veteran of both World Wars.

O’Conor and family vote

William Preston Lane Jr., Hagerstown publisher, who won the Democratic nomination for governor in a bitter three-way party primary, is opposed by Mayor Theodore R. McKeldin of Baltimore. Mr. McKeldin received the endorsement of his party without a primary fight.

Mr. O’Conor, before casting his vote at Annapolis, said, “I feel better now than I did in the primary.”

Voting with his wife, his daughter Patricia and son, Herbert R. O’Conor Jr., the governor cast his ballot about 9:50 a.m.

The governor said he would take a short tour in upper Anne Arundel County this afternoon. Then he will go to Baltimore, where he will stay at Democratic headquarters awaiting the election returns.

Mayor McKeldin took a cue from the voters and was out early.

He arrived at his north Baltimore polling place a few minutes before 8 o’clock accompanied by Mrs. McKeldin.

Gen. Markey cast his ballot at Walkersville in Frederick County. Mrs. Markey was with him.

As he received his ballot the Republican aspirant repeated the slogan he used throughout the campaign: “Make your mark for Markey.”

Mr. Lane planned to vote at his home precinct in Hagerstown.

Polls close at 7 p.m.

In Montgomery County, election officials said the vote was running far ahead of that cast in the primary and attributed it principally to the interest caused by the charter board question. Montgomery and Prince Georges polls close at 7 p.m.

In the 5th precinct of the Wheaton district, located in the Silver Spring Armory, an extra voting machine had been installed to take care of the anticipated rush.

This is the largest precinct in Silver Spring, with a total registration of approximately 1,700.

A sound truck sponsored by the Montgomery County Charter Committee was being driven through the suburbs today urging voters to approve creation of a charter board.

Weather is favorable

A bright autumn sun over the Free State favored a heavy turnout. There were scattered clouds over some sections, but no inclement weather and several pre-election estimates of a 500,000 total vote were being revised upward.

Sealed in envelopes, 153 absentee ballots were taken from the secretary of state’s office in Annapolis to County Boards of Election Supervisors by state policemen today.

The small number was in contrast to 34,543 cast in the last general election through the soldier vote system, which once was a hot political issue.

Baltimore City ranked first in the number of absentee ballots, with 52. Montgomery County had 22, Anne Arundel 17 and Baltimore 14.

The House contest in Prince Georges County is regarded by most as a closed issue with the taken for-granted re-election of Rep. Sasscer, Democrat, in the 5th district. He is opposed by Edwin A. Glenn, Republican, from Suitland.

Candidates speak on radio

The hard-fought, two-month long state campaign came to a close last night with all major candidates voicing last-minute appeals for support over statewide radio networks.

Confidence in a statewide Democratic victory was voiced by Mr. McDonald as he and his wife cast their ballots at the Glenmont School.

Mr. McDonald, who lives near Layhill in Montgomery County, was accosted by Merton A. English Jr., acting Republican chairman of the first precinct, Wheaton district. Mr. McDonald waved away a sample Republican ballot offered him by Mr. English.

5

Thousands at polls in plebiscite

Bulk of district returns expected during late hours

BULLETIN

Incomplete returns from all polling places showed 31,827 votes had been reported by 2:30 p.m. in the District’s plebiscite.

More than 17,000 votes, cast by the voteless citizens of Washington to show Congress they want the right to vote, were reported before noon today in partial returns from the 150 polling places of the District’s first election day plebiscite.**

The estimated 17,000 votes represented the first hour of voting in one-third of the precincts, two hours of voting in a second third and the first three hours of voting in the remaining third of the 150 polling places.

Reports from the polling places were staggered on an hourly basis to prevent jamming the switch boards in the board room of the District Building – nerve center of the plebiscite.

Although scores of voters were waiting in line half an hour or more before the polls opened at 9 a.m., plebiscite officials expected the heaviest voting in the late afternoon and early evening hours. The polls close at 8 p.m.

March to polls on

From the Maryland line to the Potomac, the march to the polls was on. In hospital wards, in university gymnasiums, in the city’s schools and churches, the people of Washington were observing this election day in the only way open to Washingtonians.

This was the first time that the voteless people of Washington were voting – even in a straw vote – on the same day as their fellow Americans. While the voters elsewhere were selecting their representatives in Congress, Washingtonians were writing down the answers to these questions:

  • “Do you want the right to vote for officials of your own city government in the District of Columbia?”

  • “Do you want the right to vote for the President of the United States and for members of Congress from the District?”

Judging from the impromptu speeches the voters were making to anyone who would listen around the polling places, it appeared that the overwhelming majority would answer yes to one or both questions.

Polls ‘running smoothly’

After an early check of the polls, James R. Kirland, chairman of the Plebiscite Rules Committee, reported the polls scattered through 87 precincts were “running smoothly.”

Among the early voters were government workers taking the “reasonable amount of time off” granted by President Truman to participate in the straw vote; department store employes who didn’t have to report for work until 10:30 a.m.

At West School, Clifford H. Newell, chairman of the Plebiscite Committee on Precinct Organization and newly elected president of the Federation of Citizens’ Associations, looked up at the cloudless sky and into the crowded polling place and predicted:

“There is no reason why we shouldn’t have many more people out to vote than we expected. It’s a beautiful day. The crowd at my home precinct was five times as big as I expected with the opening of the polls.”

In the anteroom of the District Building, where a battery of telephones has been set up to take the calls of would-be voters, the lights on the switchboard started flashing as early as 8 a.m. Newspapers, too, were swamped with calls from people who wanted to know where to vote.

Machinery functions smoothy

Unaccustomed as the District is to voting, there were few trouble calls reaching the District Building. The American University area complained the ballot boxes bore the wrong precinct numbers. Supplies had failed to reach Key School. More clerks were needed at other schools to meet the early voting rush. In a matter of minutes, the machinery of the plebiscite was functioning smoothly.

Central High School reported one of the largest crowds at the opening hour as the reports from the precincts started pouring in.

All over town, however, lines began to form early. George Dann, 438 Ninth St. S.W., arrived at the Bowen School well ahead of the opening of the polling place. A grocer here for 21 years, he said he was determined to be the first in his precinct to cast his ballot for full suffrage.

At Stuart Junior High School, a huge red and gray sign lettered by the art students was suspended from the pillars at the school entrance advising, “Plebiscite, vote here, precinct three.”

Heavier than 1938 voting

Mrs. E. L. Johnson and Fletcher Tilden, poll officials who helped take the straw vote here in 1938, said the voting was running five times heavier today than at that time at the Adams School, where 400 people voted in the first half hour after the polls opened.

An early voter in precinct 28 was Mrs. Howard L. Hodgkins, who said she was the oldest living charter member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Among others voting in this precinct were former District Engineer Commissioner Charles W. Kutz and Hugh S. Cummings, former surgeon general of the U.S. Public Health Service.

Voting early in other precincts were the Right Rev. Angus Dun, Episcopal Bishop of Washington; Melvin D. Hildreth, Democratic national committeeman for the District; Mrs. Paul Porter, wife of the price administrator, and Edward F. Colladay, Republican national committeeman.

In precinct 28, voters living in the District without legal voting residence elsewhere by far outnumbered those with a right to vote through the states. By 10:15 am. only 11 out of nearly 500 people who voted said they had legal voting residences.

At the Chamberlain School an elderly gentleman who preferred to remain anonymous stood outside the school urging those entering to vote “double yes.”

Taxis on call for crippled

One woman at the Powell School was so anxious to make her voice felt that she kept insisting she be allowed to sign her ballot. Another, also taking the plebiscite very seriously, complained because there was no voting booth.

At the Bruce School, two-year-old Sandra Nash placed the ballot in the box for her mother. Mrs. Ida Nash of 772 Irving St. N.W., who explained: “I want her to know about voting, because I am trying now to make sure she will have the vote when she grows up.”

Taxicabs were on call to take the crippled to the polls. One woman came into Woodrow Wilson High School leaning heavily on her crutches. She wanted to vote today, she explained, because she has no legal residence entitling her to a vote elsewhere.

Clerks to go to patients

At Gallinger Hospital, polls were open for resident personnel, of whom there are approximately 300, mostly doctors and nurses.

Robert E. Southwick, deputy supervisor, said eight women volunteers from the Washington Council of Churchwomen would go from ward to ward later in the day getting the votes of patients. They will be sworn in as election clerks.

Working under pressure in many polling places from the moment the polls opened were the chairman judges, their assistants and the polling clerks. Among them were long-time civic leaders as well as recently returned overseas veterans. One of the latter was William J. Bartle, veteran of 32 months with the Army Air Forces, serving as chairman judge at Peabody School.

Plebiscite officials also included a number of husband-wife combinations, among them Mr. and Mrs. W. I. Linscott, 337 Maryland Ave. N.E., who came here from St. Augustine, Florida, 18 years ago. Mr. Linscott is a Senate employee, serving today as chairman judge at Stuart Junior High School in Precinct 3.

Some polls slow to open

Several of the polls had difficulty in getting under way for lack of poll clerks.

At Madison School, the polls did not open until 9:45 instead of 9 o’clock. Harry N. Stull, one of the city election officials, had to open the polls himself when none of the assigned staff appeared.

He said that approximately 60 people had left before he arrived. They told students at the school they were going elsewhere to vote or would return later.

At Eastern High School, James A. Crooks of 4103 Eighteenth St. N.W., chairman of the local poll, found none of his volunteer workers present, when he came to open the polls. He said it was the cooperation of the school principal, John Paul Collins, and students that enabled him to register 135 voters by 10:30 a.m.

Mothers help at school

Mothers of students at the Blow Elementary School saved the situation there by coming in to help when volunteer workers did not show up at the prescribed hour. Mrs. Mary Brooks of 1739 L Street N.E., president of the Blow-Webb Parent-Teacher Association, and Mrs. Bessie Fairbanks of 1826 E Street N.E., came from their homes to help the chairman, John N. Weber, get the polls open on time.

As voting started in the 25th precinct, more than 50 persons were lined up in front of the Grant School, G Street between 21st and 22nd Streets N.W. First man to vote was William R. Brown, 2121 H Street N.W. Mr. Brown, a native of the West End, said his mother and grandmother likewise were born and reared in this section of the city. He is one of the voting officials for the precinct and has been treasurer of the West End Citizens’ Association for the past 35 years.

Of the first 40 persons to vote in the 25th precinct, exactly half had voting residences elsewhere and half did not. They were asked that question as they left the polls.

Vote-a-minute pace

Voting precincts in the Southeast and Southwest sections of Washington were operating at a vote-a-minute pace in the first half hour after the polls opened.

By 9:30 a.m. 76 had cast ballots at the Buchanan School, on E Street between 13th and 14th Streets S.E., Frank Scrivener, committeeman, reported. Mrs. Florence Olson, 1842 Massachusetts Ave. S.E., a precinct worker, said 16 of them could have voted in elections outside the District, but did not because “it was too much trouble.”

Indicative of the cross section of Washington voters flocking early to the polls were five persons at the Peabody School.

L. F. Mines, 523 7th Street N.E., former newspaper editor, said he has been living in the District since 1907 and this is the first opportunity he has had to vote. Leon Godbey, 415 East Capitol St., owner of a radio shop, and H. W. Glass, 12 4th Street N.E., a government electrician, were also early voters. Mr. and Mrs. Mason E. Taylor, 611 B Street N.E., voted together before going to work. Mrs. Taylor is a Treasury employe and Mr. Taylor is a District coal merchant.

Plans were made for expert statistical and accounting work at the polls. The experts were assigned by schools in the city specializing in this field. They include Columbus University, Strayer’s Business College, Benjamin Franklin University and Southeastern University.

Veterans urge voting

In a final appeal to help get out the vote, officials of the American Veterans of World War II issued a statement declaring: “Remember this – there are thousands of young Americans who gave the supreme sacrifice, their lives, just so you can vote. Don’t let them down. Amvets urge all veterans as well as non-veterans to vote for the vote.”

The statement was signed by Harry F. Young Jr. and Maynard H. Smith, both departmental vice commanders of Amvets.

An old-fashioned political parade with numerous signs was staged on North 14th St. last night by Chapter 4 of the American Veterans’ Committee, headed by Richard Tourkin.

The parade was staged by Chapter No. 4 AVC, headed by Richard Tourkin.

6

3 men whose ages total 267 cast votes on suffrage issue

Three District residents whose ages total 267 years cast their ballots in the Washington plebiscite today. They are Alfred Heitmuller, 97; James F. Duhamel, 88, and J. H. Hayes, 82.

The vote cast by Mr. Heitmuller was his first ballot in 75 years. A member of the Association of Oldest Inhabitants, he last voted when he was 21 years old.

“I think we voted then for delegates to Congress,” he said. “We had a common council, two bodies of citizens who controlled the city and 60,000 or 75,000 people in the District.”

The District’s form of government, preceding the present commission form, consisted of a governor, a council of 11 members and a board of public works appointed by the President. The people elected a House of Delegates of 22 members and a delegate to the House of Representatives.

Mr. Heitmuller could not remember in what building he voted at New York Avenue and K Streets N.W., but believed it was either a carpenter shop or a police station.

“All the stores and schools were closed,” he recalled, “and there were a great many riots and scuffles going on that day.”

Mr. Heitmuller said he was voting for both local and national suffrage.

“I don’t know why we shouldn’t have something to say about our country as well as people in the states. I think we could have a better city government if we picked our own people to run it and I think the country will be in better condition when all the people run the government.”

“I expect to live to be 100,” Mr. Heitmuller continued. “I don’t think we will have the vote by that time, although I’d like to see it before I go.

…

7

South watches voting for possible effect on committee posts

ATLANTA (AP) – The possible effect of the result on racial relations was involved today as Southerners voted their traditionally straight Democratic ticket to pile up an early lead for the party in the fight for control of the 80th Congress.

Loss of Democratic majority representation on committees could bring to the congressional floor proposed legislation bitterly and successfully fought by the Southerners heretofore in committee, with the race issue admittedly spurring them on.

The Fair Employment Practices Committee bill is an example. The present House Rules Committee, made up of eight Democrats – five of them from the South – and four Republicans, has kept the measure off the floor.

A switch in party representation on the committee, Southerners say, might bring the bill and the fight out in the open quickly.

Southern senators and representatives, with few exceptions, contend passage of such legislation would disrupt racial relations. They say it would require Southern employers to hire Negroes for jobs held by whites since reconstruction days. This poses the question of the effect on the South’s segregation laws.

While watching the national picture today and trying to weigh its possible results on their pattern of life, the South will be keeping an eye on Alabama and a ballot issue directly affecting the races.

Alabamans vote on a proposed constitutional amendment admittedly designed to make it more difficult for Negroes to vote.

The proposal, known as the Boswell amendment, would do two things:

  • Require prospective voters to be able to “understand and explain,” instead of merely read and write, any section of the United States Constitution and to be of “good moral character.”

  • Eliminate the present provision that anyone who owns property taxable at $300 or more can vote regardless of whether he can read or write.

8

Hoover denies FBI plan to check polls for fraud

By the Associated Press

FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover yesterday described as “unfounded” reports that FBI special agents will patrol voting places today in certain localities to obtain evidence of possible election frauds.

Mr. Hoover said in a formal statement that “invariably false reports are circulated on election day that FBI agents would watch the polls” and added: “Although the FBI investigates complaints alleging election law violations, FBI agents will not be on duty at the polls.”

Complaints received by the FBI, he continued, are referred to the Attorney General’s office for consideration. Any subsequent investigations, he said, are made by the FBI only on departmental instruction.

Mr. Hoover emphasized that anyone falsely representing himself to be a special agent of the FBI or any other government official will be “vigorously investigated.”

9

Close races expected to draw heavy vote in New England

BOSTON (AP) – More than 3,000,000 New England voters are expected to exercise their franchise today in what may be a record off-year turnout.

The governorships of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, a Senate seat in Massachusetts, and congressional seat fights in Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire are drawing the chief attention of the voters.

Of the six New England states, only Maine is not voting today – its election was held early in September.

Lodge opposes Walsh

In Massachusetts the party fight for control of Congress is concentrated on the contest between Sen. Walsh, Democrat, and Republican Henry Cabot Lodge Jr.

Sen. Walsh is running for the seventh time, with a record of only one defeat for the Senate. Mr. Lodge, who was elected to the Senate in 1936 and re-elected in 1942, gave up his seat after a year of his second term to enter the Army.

The governorship contests in Massachusetts and Rhode Island have two Democrats, Maurice J. Tobin of the former and John O. Pastore of the latter state, fighting for retention of office.

The Republicans in Massachusetts have a strong candidate in the present lieutenant governor, Robert F. Bradford, while Gov. Pastore is opposed by John G. Murphy, Providence Republican.

A close battle is forecast in Rhode Island in the 2nd district where Rep. Fogarty, Democrat, and John J. Kelly Jr., wounded Marine captain, are contesting for one of the state’s two House seats.

In the same state, former Gov. J. Howard McGrath is the Democratic candidate for senator, opposed by Gurnee Dyer, Republican, for the seat vacated by the retirement of Sen. Gerry, Republican.

Six House contests

Connecticut voters are watching contests for the six congressional seats, of which the Democrats now hold four.

One of the outstanding fights for a congressional seat in Connecticut has been waged by two former servicemen – John Davis Lodge, Republican, naval veteran and member of the Massachusetts Lodge family, and Lt. Col. Henry A. Mucci, Democrat, hero of the Cabanatuan Prison raid in the Philippines which freed 507 Americans.

They are rivals for the 4th district seat now held by Rep. Clare Boothe Luce, Republican, who refused to run.

In New Hampshire, the closest fight appears to be between Rep. Merrow, Republican, and Democratic Mayor Josephat T. Benoit of Manchester in the 1st district.

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U.S. voting scanned by Europe for signs of economic future

LONDON (AP) – Europe watched America’s elections today with marked anxiety as to what effect, if any, the results might have on the future economy of the world.

Most capitals were in agreement that foreign policy was not at issue and that the only question was the size of Republican gains.

The British press emphasized Britain’s immediate interest in economic trends in the United States by featuring as one of the main stories a report that Foreign Secretary Bevin would call on President Truman to “emphasize the gravity” of the world food situation.

The Paris press gave more space to the closing stages of the American political campaign than to the approaching French balloting for the country’s new National Assembly.

The German press, predicting Republican congressional gains, concluded, nonetheless, that there would be little change in the conduct of American foreign policy since that policy has been conducted in recent months on a bipartisan basis.

Berlin Red paper hopes for defeat of rightists

BERLIN (AP) – The Soviet-controlled newspaper “Neues Deutschland,” official organ of the Communist-dominated Socialist Unity Party, said today that “all friends of peace in the entire world” hoped that the “right-wing bloc of Republicans and Democrats” in the American Congress would suffer a reverse in today’s elections.

Reds say Wallace ouster rocked Democrat hopes

MOSCOW (AP) – The army newspaper Red Star commented today that Henry A. Wallace’s departure from the cabinet “seriously rocked the hopes of progressive circles of Democrats for victory” in the American elections.

“The ruling circles of the Democratic and Republican parties are at present the immediate bearers of reactionary aims of American industrial and financial circles,” the article asserted.

Other Moscow newspapers did not comment on the American elections. The Red Star article was based on a political lecture by Boris Vronski given two weeks ago.