Evening star., 1948-12-26
Electoral
Continued From First Page.)

mo comment" at this time, as well
as from the 16 who could not be
reached.
The Lodge-Gossett amendment
was reported favorably in the 80th
Congress by both the Senate and
House Judiciary Committees, but
never came to a vote in either house.
Senator Lodge, the Massachusetts
Republican who led the Senate ef-
fort for the amendment, already has
been joined by a number of DEM
ocratic Senators in preparing a
drive to bring the measure to final
approval in the 81st Congress.
Approval by Congress this year
probably will be necessary, If the
amendment is to have sufficient time
for State ratification before the next
Presidential election in 1852.
Vandenberg Fav0rs Change.
Here are some Of the opinions OF
individual Senators in answer to the
Star poll:
Senator Vandenberg, Republican,
Of Michigan, declared he is lin
general sympathy with the objectives
to which the Lodge -Gossett Consti-
tutional amendment is addressed"
and added that he believes 1T is
important that the presidential elec-
toral process should be modernized
in line with the purposes contem-
plated by this amendment" He
added that he is withholding final
Judgment regarding the precise
formula which should be adopted
until I have concluded final study
Of the problem"
One of those who has backed the
Nationwide popular vote plan is
Senator LANCER, Republican, of
North Dakota. He has been joined
in this view by Senator McGrath of
Rhode Island, who also is chairman
of the Democratic National Com
mittee, and by Senator Taylor, the
Idaho Democrat, who ran for the
Vice Presidency with Henry A. Wal
lace. Similar support comes from
Senator Tohey, Republican, OF New
Hampshire, and two new Senators,
Humphrey, Democrat. of Mime
sofa, and Hendrickson, Republican,
of New Jersey.
All the popular vote hackers, with
the possible exception of Senator
LANCER, probably would vote for the
Lodge-Gossett plan, however, If 1t
appears to be the only one with a
chance Of passage.
Oklahoman Wants Evidence.
The two Senators expressing op-
position are Thomas, Democrat, Of
Oklahoma, and elect Gillette, Demo-
crat, of Iowa, who previously served
in the Senate. Senator Thomas
feels "our country has made great
progress" under the present system
and hence he wants convincing evi-
dence, before I will give my sup
port to a proposal to change the
plan"
Senator Gillette merely expressed
his opposition to the Lodge -GosSett
proposal.
The new chairman Of the Senate
Judiciary Committee, which will
handle the measure, Is Senator Nc
Carran, Democrat, Of Nevada. The
Senator voted to report out the
amendment when 1t was considered
in the 80th Congress-, and he told
The Star he has not changed his
opinion. He is not certain when
hearings might begin.
A new Democratic Senator, Doug
las of Illinois, in q speech earlier
this month asked If the time is not
now ripe" to modify or abolish
the electoral college so that presi-
dents may be chosen by popular
vote" He added that such a step
together with the abolition of the
poll tax, would remove the last
two major hurdles to the direct ex-
preston of the peoples will"
On the other hand, Senator
Thomas, Democrat, of Utah, said he
feels the last election shows the
need for reform is mot pressing. D
Senator Tydings, Democrat, Of
Maryland, says lit can be shown
that, "a man might lose the elec-
ton by 100000 or 1900, 900 popular
votes and still under the proposed
Lodge Gossett plan win the elec-
toral vote and thus become ,presi.
dent" Backers of the amendment
however, do not believe this Il
likely.
Another new Democratic Senator
Nicely of West Virginia, wired tha1
"you may depend upon my doing
every proper thing in my power
to rid the Nation Of the nuisance
known as the electoral college"
Here is the result of the poll:
Favor action to modernize system
of electing the President:
Cd In general-Brewster, Brough.
ton, Gordon, Douglas, Ecton, Nc