The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-06-04
By R. [. s.

ttOpyr1Eht, l02Z, by Inc A4e-HorakdD Special Correspondent of The Herald
 Washington, June 3.-Word comes from France that compulsory voting Is being considered there as a pana- cea to many of the civic evils which confront the French democracy. Compulsory voting Is not & new thought. Already it is in effect in Belgium, and with good results. Some of our most eminent political economists have urged it for the United States-urged it before wom- en were entitled to the ballot, where as now 1t seems more necessary than ever.
 Woman Suffrage Has Fault
 The contention of many politi- clans has been that if compulsory voting had been adopted in this country, votes for women would not have been necessary. These same political students claim that giving the right of suffrage to women has not remedied matters, for many wom- en who ought to vote are staying away from the polls just as many men of intelligence have stayed away from the polls in the past. It Is the easiest thing In the world to get tho riff-raff to the ballot box and the most difficult thing In the world to get the responsible citizen to per form the same civic duty
 The newly enfranchised, newly naturaIized citizen of the United States would not miss the privilege of voting for any amount of money; the native men of affairs can scarce- ly be driven to the polls
 Undesirnbles Vote
 Where women have voted during the last few years the same condi- tions have prevailed. The more un- desirable clements have been quick to exercise their rights at the polls. whereas the mothers and women or affairs have remained at home. DIS patches from all sections or the country recently have told of the re- fusal of women to pay the poll tax. as an evidence of their indifference to the ballot.
 There Is no question but that the right decisions would be reacneo ae every primary and every electioa !, all those who ought to vote would vote. If some penalty could be assessed against the man or woman who. possessing the qualification Of A voter. failed to vote. and If failure to vote could be made a crime or m,sdemeanor--in short, If the suf- frare slackers could be got to do their duty--democracy would De far greater success than it Is today
 Compulsory vote--Hamiin
 One of the first advocates Of com r,,,.nr,, voting I ever heard in, this Country was Clarence Hamlin of Colorado Springs, real leader or political thought in the Rocky noun tain country. France Is progressive democracy, and with her thousnts turning to compulsory young M Sne may yet set another example 10 tnis vouneer and greater republic.
 May Discard Uniform
 Before the summer waxes mucn hotter in Washington, there IS strong probability that officers or or the army and navy in uniform Will disappear from the street and de- partments of the capital, IS well as from other cities of the country where there are army headquarters or stations.
 Gen. John J. Pershing, chief of staff. and general of the armies, has sent out questionable, asking the officers If they cared to discard the uniform while on official duty in the cities. It is said that the responses thus far show a majority Of about ten to one in favor of laying aside the khaki and the olive drab which have been worn so persistently ever since the United states entered the World war five years ago.
 Already 1t Is permissible for army and navy officers to wear "mufti" or "cits" when not on duty. but a great many officers have not con- sidered 1t worth while making the change so long as uniforms were necessary during. duty hours. Now the opportunity to lay the olive drab up in moth balls for the entire sum mer and blossom out in legligees, and everything. is sweeping the army with a mighty wave.
 Don't send that questionable out unless you mean 1t, General" an aide Is reported to have said to General Pershing. He knew the sentiment for the change.
 If they want to change. they can do it." replied the General.
 And now all stations and all hands are waiting for the good news" from Washington. With the army In quickly will follow suit. The men In blue are just as anxious to get into Erays, and white flanncls, and palm beaches as their brothers In khaki.
 Two walshes in Senate
 There is remote possibility that Massachusetts may be represented by two Walshes in the Senate. Several propitlous intervening steps must oc- cur before this interesting possibil ity becomes a fact. old attaches of the Senate do remember the time when q state was represented by two senators of the same surname.
 One of the stumbling blocks in the way of Walsh monopoly of the Massachusetts togas, of course. Is Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. He must be disposed of either at the primaries or at the election to make a second walsh possible. Also two other democratic aspirants for the senator ship must be trampled down In the