Evening star., 1944-09-29

Normally the
vote in presiden- Frank H. Aen''
tial elections increases from 3,000,.
600 to 100000 every four years
For example, in 1920 approximately
26,O0O,OO0 votes were cast; in 1924
there were 29,000,000: in 1928, &c..
100000; in 1882, 100000; in 1896
100000, and in 1910, 49,500,000.
Ordinarily, therefore, the expecta.
ton would be that from $4,000, ,00(
to 100000 would vote on Novem-
ber 7. Yet some of the most expe.
rienced observers estimate thai
there will be not more than 46,000,-
0OO-that, possibly. the total will be
below 100000.
Three reasons for small vote
are given. First, the absence abroad
and in camp OF millions Of men ir
the armed services; second, the in
ability or disinclination Of a large
number Of migratory workers in de-
Tense plants to qualify for registra-
ton; third, apathy.
So far as the first Is concerned
the reasoning does not seem good
Notwithstanding the effort of the
fourth-termers to create the impress
sion that refusal of Congress to pass
the soldier-voting law, which they
preferred would disfranchise serv-
icemen, the record in number of
States already shows that the pro-
portion OF servicemen who will vote
fully equals the proportion Of those
at home. This Is based on the ap-
plications and ballots already re-
ceived.
Migratory Workers.
As to the migratory workers, most
OF these are union members and
Mr.. Sidney Hillmans highly
financed and equipped CIO-PAC
Committee, aided by the Commu-
nists, for months has been making
a drive Of unprecedented propor-
tions to get them registered, on
the theory that they are all for a
Roosevelt fourth term.
Certainly, majority of them are,
but there is good ground for be-
lieving that the solidity with which
it is assumed they are in the Roose-
velt bag Is exaggerated. At any
rate, a campaign of extraordinary
thoroughness to get them on the
books is being made 1t is a door-to-
door campaign, in which every
possible inducement to make the
voter register is being used
Considering the time, money and
labor being expended. it will be
astonishing II the results are not
commensurate. AS a matter of fact,
the practical politicians report the
registration not small but normal.
Finally, as to apathy-there is no
real reason for apathy and it is
doubtful that it really exists. For
one thing, this is no one-sided cam
paign with the result already clear
as in 1882, in 1886 and even in 1940
In this campaign, the polls all indi-
cate a close fight, with the out
come depending upon two or three
eoncededly uncertain States. For
another, the Roosevelt forces are
far more perturbed and far less
cocksure than in any previous Roose-
Velt campaign-and with reason.
For a third, from the emotional
standpoint there seems slight ex-
cuse for indifference.
Few persons are Indifferent to
Mr.. Roosevelt. Either they are
wholeheartedly for him, regardless
Of how many terms he asks, who is
his opponent or what are the issues;
or they are so thoroughly sick of
him and his New Dealers and Mrs.
Roosevelt and his policies and
speeches and personality that they
are anxious for any change that
does not affect the conduct of the
war
1t Is fortunately obvious that the
change from Roosevelt to Dewey
would neither affect our military
strategy nor our postwar foreign
policy.
That is the way the great bulk of
the American people feel and that
feeling is incompatible with apathy.
The notion that there are large
numbers of voters so indifferent
that they do not care whether Mr.
Roosevelt is continued in Office four
more years or who have, as yet, not
been able to determine which can
didate they prefer, is not well
founded
No practical politician takes any
stock in it. No political realist be-
lieves in the theory that there now
exists a great uncertain independ-
ent vote which holds the balance
Of power.
Have Taken Of Gloves.
Add to these things that this is
clearly the most important presiden-
tial campaign in long time, that
the candidates have taken off their
gloves, that this is more of a real
fight than we have had for II years
and the apathy idea does not hold
water. The voters may have beer
apathetic up to a few days ago, but
they are not now.
Both the character of Mr.. Roose-
velt's speech last week and the char
acter OF Gov. DeWey's smashing
reply are calculated to dissipate
apathy, not promote it.
Mr.. Roosevelt abandoned the lofty
plane upon which he had proclaimed
his purpose to remain and went
after his opponent in a name.
calling speech in which he hit be.
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