Evening star., 1936-10-11
TOTAL VOTE BOOST
BY 10000 LOOMS
Democrats in Philadelphia
Qualifying Show Rise OF
400 Per Cent.
BY WALTER d. ROOS,

.
line, indicate the number certainly
will exceed 100000 and may ap-
proach 100000 registrants.
The total is expected to be approx
imately 1000 900 more than the num-
Der on registry lists in 1882.
The heavy registration forecasts a
total vote of more than 3,500,000, a
gain of about half a million. The
total vote in 1882 was 2,859,021. In
1923 it was 3,150,610.
Returns thus far completed show
both parties have gained in registra-
ton, that the Democratic gains are
considerably larger than Republican
increases, but that the Republican
enrolment will exceed the Demo-
cratic by about 100000.
Philadelphia Over $4,000.
In Philadelphia the registration has
passed 95O,OO0 and is about 43 per
cent higher than in 1882. Incomplete
tabulations indicate about $40, 900 en-
rolled as Republicans and 423,ooo as
Democrats. Four years ago there
were $4,000 Republicans and $4,000
Democrats, but the Hoover majority
in the city was only 10000
In Allegheny County, which in
cludes Pittsburgh, the Democrats have
taken the lead in enrollments for the
first time in history, although Pitts
burgh has gone Democratic in each
of the last four years.
Leaders of each party are claiming
victory in Pennsylvania on the basis
OF the registration figures.
Republicans point to their lead in
enrolment to substantiate their
claim.
Democrats base their contention on
the fact that in the last eight years
the Democratic candidates have
polled more votes than there were
registered Democrats. In 1928 Al
Smith polled 100000 more votes than
the 867 900 Democratic registration.
In 1882 President Roosevelt's vote
was 462 900 higher than the $4,000
Democratic enrolment. In 1884 Gov.
Earles total was $4,000 higher than
the 1,4O1,OO0 persons registered as
Democrats.
Many Snange registration.
While the vote in proportion to
registration in 1923, 1882 and 1884
showed many Republicans voted for
Democratic candidates, there Is an
important factor to consider this year.
The Democratic enrolment probably
will total between 1,750000 and D.
100000 this year, and is certain to be
hi OH he la
vote ever polled for a Democratic
candidate in Pennsylvania in The past.
Changes in registration indicate that
many who voted with the Democrats
in the past eight years without hav-
ing been enrolled in that party have
now changed their registration to
Democratic.
Those changes, to an extent, liqui-
date the margin of votes in excess of
their registration which the Demo-
Gratis have polled in recent elections.
Democratic leaders, however, believe
these transfers account for only
small part of the increased Demo-
cratic enrolment, and attribute the
major portion of the increase to new
voters About 100000 Pennsylvanians
have become of voting age since the
Roosevelt Hoover fight four years ago
and the Democrats believe they have
enlisted most of these in their party.
Republican leaders maintain the
registration figures are more indica-
tive of party strength this year than
they have been in a decade. Because
the Democrats have a monopoly of
distribution of favors, political ap-
pointmentS and relief funds, they
contend there is no reason why any
citizen should register Republican this
year, except because of conviction.
The prospect of 100000 Repub-
lican lead in registration, however,
does not mean that any responsible
Republican leader has sincere ex-
pectation of carrying Pennsylvania
for Landon by any ma jority approach
Ing that figure-or even half of it.
The Democrats are regarded as hav-
ing the more efficient organization
this year, and are expected to poll
a much larger percentage of their
registration than the Republicans
That means closer results than the
registration ma jority might suggest.
Final Weeks See Fight.
The final weeks of the campaign
will be hard-fought and bitter.
Each side is accusing the other
of huge expenditures to capture Penn
sylvania's SO electoral votes. The
Republicans are hammering hard
their charges of political coercion
of w. P. A. workers to build up DEM
ocratic registrations and votes for
Roosevelt and State candidates. They
charge the Democrats plan to dump
much money into this State in the
last days to upset the State which
has not given its electoral vote to a
Democrat since 1856. The Democrats
are charging Pennsylvania indus
trialists, headed by former Senator
Joseph r. Grundy. are collecting
S5,000,000 "slush fund" to prevent
Roosevelt from carrying the State.
The Republicans, who have devoted
much attention to the Democratic
western end of the State, are con-
centrating at present on Philadelphia
In the hope of building up their vote
there. Col. Knox spoke there this
week. Herbert Hoover is due there
week after next and Landon will speak
In that city in the closing week of
the campaign. The Republicans hope
they may be able to get Landon to
make a Pittsburgh speech also on
1,iS uav ha rk to Toneka q fter loa vipo