Evening star., 1928-04-06
Getting Ont the Vote.

Four years ego an effort was made by
organized citizens in this country to in
crease the number of votes cast at the
presidential election. 1t was shown by
the records that less than half OF the
elisible voters Of the country went to
the polls and this condition, II was
urged. is unworthy OF the American
electorate. that it makes for govern
msnt by minority. or at least govern
r1ent through inertia. In all parts of
the country ths people were enjoined
TO avan themselves of their electoral
privilege, by newspaper publicity, by
posters and by speeches. Despite this
campaign the vote cast in November,
1924. was only about fifty per cent OF
those who we're eligible.
Now the National Civic Federation
has resumed the campaign for the next
election and hopes to increase the num-
Der OF voters from the fifty per cent
Of 1924 TO sixty-fve or seventy per cent
in November next. At meeting held IN
this city yesterday, attended by repre-
sentatives OF various organizations and
Of the two major political parties, plans
we're outlined for this crusade for an ac-
tive exercise Of citizenship. The list of
the orders and associations, federations,
legions and societies present through
proxy at this gathering is long one.
Il includes practically all Of the ma
tional bodies Of citizens and represents
several millions Of people II all Of these
organizations carry on the work that
has been thus started, great stimulus
VIII be given to the political interest OF
the people, and the objective Of material
gain in voting percentage should be at
tanned.
As John Hays Hammond. who pre-
SIDED at yesterdays meeting, said in
opening the meeting. however, it is not
enough merely TO get the voters to the
polls They should be educated on the
issues of the hour They should not be
driven to the polls in herds. there 10
vote merely as they are directed, but
they should exercise the prerogative Of
citizenship inteIligently. Only in that
way-can democracy be made effective.
A special effort win be made this year
20 interest In the movement 100000
graduates Of high schools and colleges,
who this year viii cast their first votes.
Furthermore, Chairman Hammond urges
that the students who participated in
tae National Oratorical Contests on the
Constitution should be stimulated 70 sc-
tive service in this work. There are at
this time no less than 100000 Of
these young Americans, many Of whom
are now possible voters, and all Of
whom, despite their youth, are infiuen-
nal In their communities through the
part they have taken and the successes
they have won In their local and re-
gaonal competitions.
Compulsory voting. which has been
tried In other countries. viii probably
never be undertaken here. The expert
naent IN Australia was not successful II
has, however. been proposed that po-
tentisi voters who do not exercise the
franchise should be penalized IN the de-
nial Of the privilege at the next election
in the hope that this withdrawal may
induce them TO pledge themselves there
after 70 60 70 the polls and vote. But
this ezpedient is Of doubtful eficacy
Education and stimulation may accom-
pliEh the desired result. An intensive
campaign such as that now launched
may DO much 20 bring the American
people 70 a realization Of their duty.
In one area only In the United States
viii this campaign not be wsged. That
aS the District Of Columbia, where the
people, eager 70 vote, qualified by all
standards Of intelligence TO express
themselves Al the polls, are denied that
right. II Is assured that II they are en-
tffrsnchised through the constitutional
amendment now pending before Con-
gTeas there will be no occasion for a
crusade 70 enroll them a. voters when
the opportunity comes.
3 81 - -~~-p----~--~~
u Is now intlnlsted that VIII Hays,