Evening star., 1944-02-08
By J. A. O'LEARY.

Administration Senat tors
joined today with most Senate
Republicans in making another
concession to the States in serv-
icemens voting by adopting an
amendment to limit Federal bal
lots overseas to those who GER
tify their State ballots did not
arrive on voting day.
The amendment, offered by Sem
ator Ferguson, Republican, of Mich
igan, carried. 81 to 20, but was not
clear-cut test between opposing
forces, which is expected to come
later on the Taft substitute, spon-
sored by Is States rights Senators.
twenty-five Republican Senators
joined with one Progressive and 36
Democrats to approve the Ferguson
motion. Six Republicans and IA
Democrats opposed it,
The Senate last week had adopted
the Danaher compromise, which au-
tomatically would give a Federal
ballot to all servicemen overseas. but
required men in this country to
certify their State ballots were not
available before they could use the
short Federal voting form. The
effect OF the Ferguson amendment is
to make the men overseas also swear
their State ballots had not arrived
on the day Federal ballots are dis
tributed.
Accepted BY Lucas.
Majority Leader Barkley and Sem
ator Lucas, Democrat, of Illinois,
Leading the fight for a Federal bal
lot, accepted the Ferguson proposal,
subject to further discussion in con-
ference with the House.
| Senator Taft, Republican. OF
ONO, belittled its effect, however,
declaring it made no material
change in the Green-Lucas bill. He
charged the Army favors the Fed
eral ballot, and that, in practical
operation, Federal ballots will be
distributed overseas before State
ballots will have had time to arrive.
Before the day is over administra-
ton supporters hope to attach this
modified Federal ballot plan to the
House-approved State control bill
and send 1t to conference.
Senator Danaher, Republican Of
connecticut reminded Senator Taft
OF other provisions in the bill that
require only the State ballot to be
| counted II man sends home both
the State and Federal forms.
/ Senator Taft replied that 80 out OF
lOo serv1cemen who were handed
the Federal ballot first would not
fill out a State ballot reaching them
on later date. Although the Fed
eral ballot is confined to President
and members of Congress. State bal
lots cover both those candidates and
State tickets.
Other Concessions Made.
Two other major concessions have
been made by administration forces.
without halting the determination
Of States-rights Senators to place
additional curbS on the introduce
ton of Federal voting form into
national elections. The changes are:
! Elimination of the right to vote
by party designation on the SIM
plifled Federal ballot. making it
necessary to write in the names of
the candidates the voter prefers for
President, Senator and Representa-
time
Elimination of provisions which
opponents of Federal ballot claimed
would enable military commanders
to march their men to polling places
IN military formation. Penalties
have been inserted for telling a man
IN uniform to vote, or for whom he
should vote.
House Bill Before Senate.
Shortly before the Senate recessed
yesterday, Federal ballot opponents
won temporary victory, when they
finally succeeded. so to 38. in having
the House-approved State-control
bill laid before the Senate.
Senator Barkley Immediately coun-
tered by offering the amended
Green-Lucas measure as an amend
ment to that bill which would put
the Federal issue back on the
House doorstep.