Evening star., 1944-09-18
Letters to The Star
The Indirect" Buying Of Votes
Condemned and Rebuked

ASAA~4SAAAAAVNA AAO1uAV1
10 ths 1ditsr Of The Star:
The politician in spending Federal
money indirectly to buy votes Il cer-
tainly not engaged in an honorable busi-
ness. Every one remembers the reported
saying Of prominent supporter Of the
present administration: I'VE will spend
and spend and elect and elect"
For example, the administration now
is building an airport which will cost
several millions Of dollars near Dexter,
N. Y, where there is no legitimate use
for an airport either now or later. To
make matters worse, the farms In that
section have been depleted of workers.
The Democrats are very much in need
Of votes in Northern New York.
The OPA, to help matters along this
spring, established for this section .
ceiling price on maple syrup at from
$3.50 to a = gallon, although = better
quality Of syrup was sold in Vermont at
a little less than - = gallon. pur-
chased from both places, 30 I believe I
am qualified to make the above state
ment. The idea in both these cases was,
believe. to help in carrying Northern
New York for the Democrats in Novem-
Der. Vermont, Of course, is considered
hopeless.
There probably are hundreds II not
thousands Of similar cases throughout
the country: and they are illustrative of
the double standard Of honesty which
alarmingly prevails as between the DO
litician in ONCE and the private citizen.
This practice Of buying votes. although
indirect, places the principal or prin-
cipals no matter how responsible may
be the position he or they may hold, in
despicable position in the eyes of
honest men. T. WARREN ALLEN,
Speaks For Prospective 10Th
TO the Dditor Of The Star:
Your editorial Of September Is we'll
points out the fact that the average
citizen has never seen any change in
the American nag, As the 4sth star was
put in place with the admission Of Ari-
zona to the Union in 1912. So, the nas-
makers have used the same desisn for
the last % years.
The first nag had Is stars in q circle.
The admission Of Vermont and Ken
lucky brought the arrangement of three
rows Of five. In 1918 there were 20.
When the 28 territories were admitted
to the Union, one by one, an act of
Congress provided that each occasion
be marked by addition of another star.
Hawaii and Alaska are incorporated
territories. not possessions" of the
United States, and, as you observed,
their present status resembles that of
the 2S western territories which served
their apprenticeship and became States.
You state there may be room for
argument" whether Hawaii, among
others. has maintained self govern
ment" according to the intent of Con-
gress stated In 1857. May I point out
that by every test the territory of Hawaii
meets this qualification? Its govern
ment Is stable; public order is main
t4lneo, ItS unanceS are sound Its people
are loyal.
The people Of Hawaii will match the
record of their community for law OBJ
servance. patriotism and every other
test OF good citizenship against any
other American community, mainland
or 1nsular. They have declared by
plebiscite in favor Of statehood. Both
major political parties have adopted
platform planks for statehood for
Hawaii.
A problem for the nagmakers? Very
simple. Seven rows Of seven stars each
adds up to 40.
WILLIAM H. DOHERTY.
Hawaiian Sugar Planters Assn.