Evening star., 1949-10-13
The Political Mill
CIO Using Thief Charges
In Campaign Fight on Taft
Ohio Senator's Popularity Feared
Under 'Massachusetts.Type' Ballot
By Gould Lincoln

Onlo oenatOrs popularity Feared
Under 'Massachusetts.Type' Ballot
80 By Gould Lincoln
It took the cIo-PAC to call Senator Taft
OF Ohio thief, stealer Of votes. If this is
tha type of campaign which is to be waged
against Ohio's senior Senator, who is seek
ing reelection next year, it is just as we'll
the people Of Ohio should have an early
opportunity to evaluate it.
In recent Memo From PAC," which
calls itself "A factual report about the CIO
aPolitical Action Committee" is found the
following:
IAN attempt by Senator Taft to steal 1oo,-
OD votes IN next years election has Ohio
voters aroused. The issue will be fought out
at the polls this November. The vote steal
ing plan revolves around proposed change
in the kind of ballot to be used in next years
election. Taft forces are pushing the So
called Massachusetts-type ballot, on which
the voter must vote for each candidate and
is not permitted to vote a straight ticket"
Taft Popularity Feared.
1t appears that this liberal labor organ
zation believes in voting 'em straight
although the more democratic method is for
the voter to pick the best candidates for
Office even if by so doing he splits his
ticket. It also shows that the organization
is afraid that Senator Taft's individual
popularity and personal strength with the
voters will strongly manifest itself at the
polls unless the CIO can run 'em in and
vote 'em straight"
The Massachusetts, ballot, which calls for
marking the ballots for each individual can
didate and does not permit a straight ballot
that is ballot on which the voter makes
single mark indicating the slate of party
candidates he wishes to vote for-has been
in fHa De-
years. 1t has made it possible for the peo-
pie there to express their desires more &C.
curately in electing officers than under
straight balloting. And it has saved the po-
litical lives of good Democratic as well as
good Republican public servants. A case in
point was the election of Senator Salton-
stall. Republican, last year, when President
Truman carried the State and Democratic
governor was elected. Senator Saltonstall
won by $4,000, Mr.. Truman by 100000 and
the governor by 388, 900 votes.
What's bothering the PAC is that no
strong candidate to run on the Democratic
ticket against Senator Taft has been found.
On the other hand the democrats have q
remarkably strong candidate for Governor
Gov. Frank LauSche, who at this time is
intent upon succeeding himself in the Gov
ernor's office. What the PAC wants is
Stralght ballot, feeling thousands of voters
supporting Gov. Lausche may in that way
be counted for Senator Tafts opponent, no
matter how weak a candidate he may be.
These are the votes which the PAC charges
Senator Taft is plotting to steal"
To Be Settled Next Month.
The proposal to adopt the Massachusetts,
form OF ballot in Ohio was sponsored by
former Representative George Bender OF
Ohio, Republican. Mr.. Bender has been &C..
tive In the campaign to get the proposal on
the ballot. Mr.. Taft has kept away from
this campaign, which will be settled at the
elections next month To get the proposal on
the ballot required thousands of SIGNATURES
The PAC claims that $95, 900 was spent of
ficially" to gather the necessary signatures.
And 1t continues that chief contributors to
the plan were chambers Of commerce, indus
try heads and National Manufacturers AS.
Sociation members.
Ohio are less intelligent than the citizens of
Massachusetts,, and therefore cannot be
trusted to pick the best men and women
Tor public office, but should 60 down the
line for any slate of candidates the Demo-
cratic Party and the CIO nominate. The
PAC believes in the voice Of the master
II that is political liberty. the moon is green
cheese.
More and more it Is dawning on the public
that the drive to beat Senator Taft in
Ohio-because he sponsored the Taft-Hart-
ley Labor Acts begging down. Inability
to find an outstanding candidate to run
against him is not helping the Taft haters.
They know they cannot beat him with no.
body. Gov. Lausche has made it clear he
wants to run again for Governor and will
not be turned aside. Old line, regular DEM
ocrats are bucking the CLOS effort to have
Murray Lincoln, Ohio Farm Bureau insur-
ance executive and registered Republican.
nominated on the Democratic ticket. Mayor
Tom Burke of Cleveland, Representative
John McSweeney and State Auditor Jump
ing Joe" Ferguson are others mentioned.
Mr. Ferguson has announced his candidacy.
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