Evening star., 1943-12-29
Agreement Expected
by Walker on Plan
For Soldier Votinu
BY the Associated Press.

doubt that a compromise measure
can and will be enacted" that will
enable service men and women tc
vote in the 1914 national election.
Replying to telegram from Sid
ney Hillman. chairman of the CIO
Political Action Committee, urging
the Democratic party to affirm
"wholehearted support" for a Fed
eral ballot, Mr.. Walker recalled the
original Lucas-Green bill (defeat-
ed in the Senate) met with oppo-
sition on the ground it would CON
trovert the doctrine of State rights.
Il have no doubt that a COM
promise can and will be enacted
that will meet this objection" he
said, for I can conceive of no men,
Der OF Congress being willing to deny
the soldier the chance to make his
voice count in national election
"Of course. every precaution must
be taken to insure perfect freedom
in the soldiers choice. and equally
important is it that an honest non-
partisan count must be guaranteed. i"
Compromise Outlined.
The telegraphic exchange was
made public today by the Demo-
cratic National Committee. A COM
promise being talked on Capitol Hill
would provide for a Federal commits
sion which would merely be the
instrument of getting the ballots for
President and Congress to and from
the members of the armed forces,
with the States doing the counting
and passing on the question of voter
eligibility.
However. poll tax and registra-
ton requirements would be waived
under this plan.
Among the military voters" Mr..
Walker said, ARE thousands un-
listed on the registration lists
young fellows who were mustered
into the services before they had
reached the voting age. for ex-
ample, These must not be elimi-
mated"
Mr.. Hillman said in his tele-
gram that unless Congress acts
promptly on reconvening January
10 to pass practical uniform Fed
eral ballot the right of the fighting
forces to vote will inevitably be-
come a major political issue in
1914"
White Asks Agreement.
Earlier, Acting Senate Minority
Leader Whites plea that Congress
cut short its prolonged battling over
food subsidies and soldier voting in
the interests Of national unity
prompted a general Me. too," re-
action at the Capitol today.
Legislators of both parties agreed
in principles with Senator White S
assertion that all possible legislative
controversies should be avoided for
the duration.
There is time to fight and a
time to avoid it," Senator White
said at press conference yesterday
"and as long as this accursed war
remains on our hands it is my con-
viction we should try to adjust all
legislative controversies possible.
IF ever there was a time when
strife and conflict should be avoided
it is now"
There appeared to be considerable
sympathy among those members of
Congress who remained in Wash
ington during the Christmas recess
toward Senator Whites pleas.
Green Backs Proposal.
Senator Green, Democrat, of
Rhode Island, co-author of the
Green-Lucas bill, said he SYM
pathized heartily" and asserted
the Senates rejection of a Federal
system in favor Of State control OF
servicemen voting already had
caused widespread disgruntlement
among men in the armed services
THE question is just how a com
promise is going to be accomplished,
Senator Green added. TT seems
every time someone tries to com
promise he gets a hit on the head
with a brickbat."
Senators Danaher of Connecticut
and Burton of Ohio, Republicans
indorsed Senator Whites views but
in the House Representative VOL
colt, Republican, of Michigan, rank
ing COP member of the House
Banking Committee. said he could
see no compromise on the principle
involved" in the food subsidy row
Mr.. Wolcott was a leader in the sue
cessful House campaign to abolish
food price control subsidies, but the
legislation still is before the Senate
Banking Committee.
Senator White made it clear in his
press conference remarks that he
wasn't proposing any 1914 political
campaign truce.
There will be plenty of things tc
scrap over later on he said.
Single Foreign Policy.
Chairman Bloom of the Hous,
Foreign Affairs Committee mean.
while proposed that AL potentia
presidential candidates get togethel
and agree on single foreign polio,
plank for 1914" to eliminate tina
Issue from next years election cam
|paign.
j 1T would be a service to the Ma
! ton and to the world" said tn,
chairman In an interview: ut wouls
'rerrnve 1ast lingering do,lhts Of thi