Evening star., 1944-02-24
Letters to The Star
Says Federal Ballot 1or Troops
MiSht Brine Contested Election

LeIIerS TO / ne Star
Says Federal Ballot Tor Troops
Might Bring Contested Election
To the Editor Of The STAR
A short-form Federal ballot to insure
the most expeditions delivery and coll
lection Of soldiers votes from the far
fiung battle fronts of this war! Who
would dare or desire to oppose such q
proposal?
Nobody would, except for one reason:
Would such an election, so conducted,
be legal? Would 1t conform to consti-
tutional requirements?
Unfortunately, we have no precedent
on the exact question.
However, and generally, qualifications
and procedure for legal voting hereto
fore have been regarded as the exclusive
prerogative of the States. Which,
judged by arguments advanced by
proponents Of the Eastland- Rankin
bill. the States will continue to claim
Therefore, the issue presents q doubt
as to the validity of strictly Federal
ballot and seemingly portends future
trouble.
Can any one think of anything that
we need less, right now, than q con-
tested national election? Would we
invite another Hayes-vs.- -Tilden con-
troversy, which controversy was settled
only by appointment of an electoral
commission after a long and bitter
contest which at times threatened local
civil war In some States?
In view of the foregoing and the
acuteness of debate now going on in
Congress over this issue, is it not at
least probable that something by way
OF quo warranto proceedings would be
instituted against any successful candi-
date, elected on strictly Federal
ballot? WILBUR CLOSE.
Reports on Traffic Survey
To the Editor of The Star:
This is very hearty amen to the
letter signed by Charles H. Probert,
commenting on the number of cars with
empty seats. I have been disturbed
about 1t. too, but from the would-be
passengers angle. The custom of Offer
ing rides seems to have died out in
Arlington County.
Recently have done little research
in the matter. While wait for my vir-
ginia bus on Constitution avenue in the
evening I count the cars with only
drivers, no passengers. The frst time I
had to wait half an hour, but was kept
very busy with my counting-1OO west
bound cars in that time with one person
each, the driver. The next time de-
cided to limit it to virginia licenses, and
in about Is minutes there were 81 that
actually saw. And the only driver who
10 -
at the bus stop had an Oklahoma
license. AS Middle Westerner. felt q
certain glow Of pride.
Like Mr.. Probert, question the source
OF the gasoline supply for these drivers.
1t does seem to me, as a mere pedestrian,
that the Once of Defense Transporta-
ton, or whatever the name OF it is by
now, could do little better Job of en-
forcement. More fundamental than that,
the people should have some sense Of
responsibility regarding the gasoline
situation and the vital need for con-
serving it. ELIZABETH TAYLOR.
Wants Parents to Do Duty
To the Editor of The Star:
Mrs. Pearl jackson courageously has
brought out very pertinent fact but
the title given her letter very well could
have been "Blames Delinquent Mothers
rather than "Blames Working Mothers" J"
Another pertinent, If unwelcome,
truth is that lot OF fathers are neg
lecting their duties and trying to load
them onto the schools, the community
centers- or anything else that will give
them more time for their own selfish
pleasures.
Marriage should be a 100 per cent
teamwork proposition in making a
home and raising children.
No institution can take the place OF
parents, and fathers as we'll as mothers
should stick firmly to their job. It will
make men and women out of them.
A. E. SMITH.
Complains of Inconvenience
To the Editor Of The Star:
"A passenger" once remarked Leon
Henderson, possesses the resourceful-
ness to get himself transported" But
with that enthusiasm so often apparent
where concern is able to serve the
war effort at the expense of its Gus
toners, the Capital Transit seems to
be attributing to us passengers degree
OF resourcefulness that would be fiat
tering indeed where it not so all-fired
irritating and inconvenient.
Shifted transfer points involve dam
gerous street crossings. Distances are
disregarded. In some places a very long
walk up very steep hill is involved.
And If one chances to be impaired by
a 200 systolic B. p. and a cardiac dila-
ton, one arrives at the transfer point
so out of breath that he even must
forego the pleasant relaxation that
comes from casting blasphemous i'm
precations impersonally about.
Many cars no longer are marked back
and side. With half dozen of these
cars at block-long loading platform,
scores null about in mad confusion
trying to locate their particular con-
veyers. Usually one is able to find his
car just as the light changes. So he
must wait until the next scramble
ensues with fat chance of being frus-
Sp