Evening star., 1936-10-11
ELECTION FRAUDS MISSOURI REPUBLICANS BATTLE CRY
RURAL DEMOCRAT
SHIFT IS REPORTED
Large Independent Vote Is
Found Registered for.
November 8.
BY J. r. KING.
..et., r-arrssnondent NJ The Star,

Special Correspondent of The Star.
JEFFERSON CITY. Mo-, october
io.-Fortified by reports Of disafiec-
ton among rural Democrats IN
Missouri the Republican state cam
paign forces are making determined
effort to recapture this State for
the G. o. P. this Fall with indica-
tions that the outcome will be much
closer than first predicted.
One Of the chief elements entering
the campaign in this State-election
frauds-have given the Republicans
new hope and vigorous battle cry.
Coupled with attacks on the State
administrations close link with the
Democratic machine Of T. J. Pender-
gast in Kansas City the effect Is being
felt seriously by the Roosevelt
workers.
A new election board appointed In
st. Louis by Gov. Guy B. Park Is
giving the Democrats considerable
worry in that big vote center. The
St. Louis registration set new rec
ord this Fall at about 425,0 900. the
increase coming chiefly. according to
political workers on both sides Of
the fence, from Independent voters.
A recent poll of the city by the G..
o. P. organization developed $4,000
voters who refused to give their senti-
ments on the presidential race. While
no one can predict what this inde-
pendent vote will do 1t is causing
the Democratic leaders there con-
siderable worry as they are making
q big fight to carry st. Louis for
Roosevelt.
Determined to Bar Fraud.
The new election board in st. Louis
Is determined. its members say. to
eliminate fraud and padded voting
lists Some Of the delivery wards in
the big city have depended on padded
lists for big majorities. The Republi-
can campaigners predict a slight G
o. P. majority in the city If fraud is
eliminated.
Kansas City will 60 Democratic by
big majority probably in the neigh
borhood of 100000. Registration there
SCARED to new heights. reaching
$4,000, but the Republican speakers
charge that at least $4,000 are pad
votes.
The Kansas City Star is making a
check of the registration lists, turning
up new pads daily and the Kansas
City election board, appointed by the
Democratic administration, is making
an effort to remove some of the al
legged fraudulent votes. This activity
is developing growing feeling of un-
easiness among the Democrats who
have looked to Kansas City for the
last few elections for the heavy ma
jorities that spell victory.
Both parties have been slow TO 90
into the country for the rural vote,
which is expected to hold the balance
OF power this year. Local issues such
as machine politics, alleged registra-
ton frauds, and the activities OF
the Democratic State administration
against fraternal insurance societies
operating in the State have played
more part in the campaign than ma
tional issues.
Fraternal Groups Fight Stark.
Fraternal insurance organizations,
with $4,000 members in the State,
fought the Democratic nominee for
Governor. Maj. Lloyd c. Stark of
Louisiana, Mo, because they were un-
able to obtain a promise from him
that he would not reappoint r. E.
O'Malley of Kansas City as head Of
the State Insurance Department. In
the last two weeks, however, Stark
has made several speeches attempt
ing to appease the fraternals, but has
made no direct promise on appoint
ments If elected.
Democratic State headquarters have
been slow to organize and just now
are sending speakers out into the
State. In past campaigns the big
guns of the speaking section would
have been in the State three weeks
ago.
Because Of the various local condi-
tions none but the most partisan
Democrat Is willing to predict q big
party sweep in Missouri. Two months
to six weeks ago predictions ranged
from 100000 to 100000 Democratic
majority. Now the Democrats would
be satisfied with anything in the way
Of a majority that will give them the
State ticket and the Missouri electoral
votes. The last three weeks Of in
tensive campaigning may swing the
pendulum more to the Democratic
side, as many Of them confidently
predict, but unless it does it may take
the last $4,000 votes to decide the
result.