Evening star., 1952-05-23
Donohue Forecasts
Victory as Democrats
Organize D. {. Club
By Crosby S. Moves


District Commissioner F. Joseph
Donohue believes the elections in
November will go to the Demo-
Gratis, "and I don't give a damn
who the Republicans nominate. -
Bring on Gen. Eisenhower, !"
was the muttered afterthought to
the speech made by Mr.. Donohue
before the new National Capital
Democratic Club, which met last
night for the first time in the
Hamilton Hotel.
About so persons. most of them
familiar in Democratic circles here
turned out to hear about plans for
the club and for the District pri-
mary elections to be held on
June II.
The club has been chartered by
the Democratic Central Commit
tee as focal point for activity in
connection with the coming cam
paign. It is expected to continue
as a social and Embarrassing party
organization.
Confusion on Endorsement.
Some confusion appeared to re-
main after last nights meeting
over the question of indorsing can
didates in the primary. in which
voters will express their choice of
presidential candidates as we'll as
vote for local party officials. The
club constitution. presented to the
meeting. contains an article saying
the club shall support the candi-
dates and policies Of the Demo-
cratic Central Committee. The
Central Committee has gone on
record in support Of Senator Ke-
fauver as favorite son candidate
from the District.
Club President Robert Mars was
not sure if this meant the club
would work for Senator Kefauver.
In any case, he said, the consti-
tuition still must be ratified by
che club membership.
AS one of the speakers on the
program, Mr.. Donohue presented
himself as a political novice, look
Ing forward to casting his first
ballot next June. He has been al
Democrat. he said, since 1898,
when the Democratic Party had
the moral courage to repeal pro-
hibition."
Regrets Truman's Decision.
when President Truman made
his historical decision {not to run
In the coming election), the little
people all over the world lost their
greatest champion" Mr.. Donohue
said. But in the long run. the
great champion is not a man, but
the Democratic Party"
I'VE will win this election, but
it's going to take the time and
effort and money of every man
and woman in the United States
who believes in the future Of this
country" g
Melvin D. Hildreth, Democratic
national committeeman for the
District, told the audience not to
be diSmayed by adverse newspaper
publicity in the coming election.
He quoted from a number Of
newspaper columnists who had
guessed wrong in the 1886 and
1948 campaigns.
With faith and hope. the Dem
ocrats can win again in 1882" he
said.
Firehouses to Be Used.
It was explained that all city
irehouses will be used as polling
places on election day. Six addi-
tional locations will provide for
residents in sparsely settled parts
of the city. No previous registra-
ton will be required.
To qualify for the vote, regis
trants must swear they have been
District residents at least one year,
are over 81 and have not voted in
any State election within the past
year.
Ballots will be cast for 20 men,
hers Of the Central Committee. IL
delegates to the national conven-
ton, national committeeman and
women and alternates. They also
will be asked to indicate whether
or not the delegation should be
bound by the unit rule (shouldI
vote as q bloc rather than as in
dividuals) and whether they
should continue voting for the
candidate who wins the majority
Of primary votes until a majority
of delegates decide to switch their
support.
It was emphasized last night that
So-called bullet" ballots on
which only one choice is desig-
mated out Of a slate of several
candidateS-Will be rlbad invalid