Evening star., 1948-11-02
Overcast Skies
Serve to Spur
Early Turnout
by J. A. OLeor

1~SFSA ~ "a away SoAAy hASAA
ing voting in populous centers
of the Nation gave promise of a
record turnout of 50,000,000 or
more in today's general election.
Unless all signs fail, the balloting
will put Gov. Dewey Of New York
In the White House, the first Re-
publican President in 16 years. Most
experts figure the Republicans will
hold control of the House, but big
question mark still hovered over the
fight for the Senate.
Overcast skies in some areas
served only to prod voters into
getting in line early at the polling
places to avoid possible showers
later in the day. Generally, the
weather forecast for the country as
q whole was favorable to a good
turnout.
Would Set Record.
A 100000 turnout would set al
record. Eight years ago the late
President Roosevelt and the late
Wendell L. Willkie brought out be-
tween them q total of 49,54s,221
voters.
In 1914, when Gov. Dewey made
his first try for the White House
against a Roosevelt fourth term, the
total vote dropped to 47,60s,7s3, but
this was due to the war.
Thousands of soldiers overseas did
not take time out from their fight
ing to cast absentee ballots, and
other thousands of civilian war
workers were employed in States
where they had no voting status.
First Vote Goes To Dewey.
The first community to return its
verdict was the little precinct Of
Harts Location, N. H.. which went
II for Gov. Dewey and / for Presi-
dent Truman. -Four years ago it,
cast 6 votes for Roosevelt and 4 for
Dewey
About the same time, however
Cataloochee precinct In North Caro-
lima, came In with 7 for Truman
and for Dewey. Four years ago
Gov. Dewey got 2 votes there, and
President Roosevelt 8.
The early rush at Baltimore
brought predictions from election
officials that the total OF ballots
there would reach $4,000, about
25y0o0 more than, four years ago.
Such cities as Chicago, Columbus,
Akron and Philadelphia also re-
ported heavy voting.
From Newark, N. j., came reports
Of such heavy early balloting that
the total by evening may top all /
records.
In Camden and New Brunswick,
lines were at the polling places
when they opened at am. Voters |
were reported moving at a one-a-
minute pace through the voting
machines.
Heavy Pennsylvania Vote.
Skies were overcast over most of
the Nation, but the Weather Bureau
said rain probably would hold of
until nightfall.
Throughout Pennsylvania there
were signs of a big vote. Cloudy
skies across the State caused voters
to line up early both in Pittsburgh
and Philadelphia. The 178,0O0 coal
miners in the State took the day of
to vote, on orders from their chief,
John L. Lewis.
With the experts still making Gov.
Dewey heavy favorite, the big
question mark continued to be, who
will finish on top in the close race
for control of the Senator"
Believe House Will Stay G. O.P.
The consensus OF most of these
experts is that the House will re-
main safely Republican, even If the
Democrats pick up scattered seats
on local issues.
As the Nation settles down this
evening to await the returns, other
high points of interest will be the
number Of votes cast for Henry A. |
Wallace and Gov. j. Strom Thur
nond Of South Carolina, who
broke away from the Democratic
parade this year to lead their own
professions down side streets and
in opposite directions.
Mr.. Wallace's Progressive Party Is |
expected to attract ultra Liberals |
who might otherwise have voted
Democratic, while Gov. Thurmond's
States Fighters have split the Solid
South for the first time since 1928.
The forecasters do not expect MIR.
Wallace to get any electoral votes,
although his popular votes may de-
termine whether Gov. Dewey or Mr..
Truman wins in a few of the larger
States.
Gov. Thurmond, on the other
hand. may get between 80 and 40
Of the Souths electoral votes, with
(See ELECTIONS, Page A-4J
4 A.