Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-10-16
APATHY Of VOTERS
ST|RS POLITICIANS
Slump in New York Registra-
:. :tion Held Sign. Of Party
Disaffection.
BY N. O. MESSENGER.
Stan Correspondent Of The star.


NEW YORK. October 1s.-Much to
the CONSERVATION of the party leaders.
republican and democratic alike. some-
thing seems to be ailing the voters. AZ
shown by the big slump in registra-
tions. On the contrary. several scores
of thousands virtually are saying. "A
plague on both your housesw and
serving notice that on election day
they intend to stay away from the
polls.
Registration has closed for New
York city and the figures show nearly
10000 below 1921 and l76,000 below
the presidential year. There are yet
two more days in which upstate voters
can register.
Around political headquarters and
the semi political clubs the talk yes
tefday and last night was all about
the registration falling of. There are
two angles to the subject: First. the
probable effect on the respective can
didacies of Gov. Miller and former
as a possible index Of the mind Of the
electorate. The latter phase came in
for earnest and anxious discussion by
the thoughtful politicians who are in
tent upon keeping in touch with popu-
lar sentiment.
Smith Hit Worst.
As to the first proposition It is gen.
orally agreed by candid men on both
sides that decrease in registration in
Greater New York works to the dis
advantage Of the democratic candi-
date, Smith. for the reason that he
must roll up a smashing big plurality
in the city to overcome the normal
republican strength upstate. Warn
ed by what has happened here. the re-
publicans will make every effort to
get out their registered vote next
Friday and Saturday to the fullest
and clinch their advantage.
The other branch of the subject is
consideration of what il the under
lying cause Of the apathy of the yot-
ers, expressed in their failure to quail
ify for election day by registering
within the time prescribed by law.
state and national? For 1t must be
borne in mind that the decrease in
registration occurs in districts that
are normally republican, as well as
in those which are normally demo
content with the near-socialist plat
form, or, as to the supporters Of Mr..
Hearst, protesting against his treat
ment at Syracuse? For the repub-
licans is 1t reflection Of the frequent
gress and the party in power In the
nation?
the first week OF the campaign state
and senatorial has not developed "a
very thrilling appeal to the public at
large or the presentation of any issue
to make the stay-awake-of-nig to
ponder. 1t has been mostly the re-
capitulation of figures which can be
juEgled this way or that way and an
records with much left to speculation
or personal prediction
Politicians Out OF step.
Others Of the leaders are. wonder
ing whether the politicians have
"sotten of on the wrong foot. and
are out Of step with. the masses. This
is q disquieting thought. but there
is foundat tion for it. as they. fnd out
by listening to the talk In the streets.
At this stage the non-partisan groups
are showing renewed activity-the
socialists. the farm-labor group and
other non-conformist elements, ap-
pealing against both old parties They
allere that the democrats and repub-
hcans alike ere controlled by the
Interests" and that the under dogs
vhichever side ssDut in power.
The democrats foresaw this and at
thkir state convention IN Syracuoe
threv 4. s6p to their radical faction.
IN the soetaliAt planlIa On lseixs plafe