Vote a Little to Save a Lot

While cries of patriotism were rising to a new crescendo and Dorothy Lamour was in our midst selling War Bonds for victory, the primary elections were considered unimportant. Yesterday's vote was the lightest in recent history. The success of the Bond sales was excellent, but a larger turnout at the polls would have been equally encouraging. For the handling and the management of money that people so willingly contribute to the nation through taxes and bonds is more important than the general reaction shows.

Light voting, even in the primaries, besides showing general political apathy, grants self-interested, organized political machines the upper hand. Congressional and State leaders should be considered with more, rather than less, discrimination in war time. At a time when side-show entertainment and baby kissing should fade into the background as a criterion of administrative excellence, other parts of the country have shown that they, too, are not awake. Hamilton Fish and "Pass the biscuits, Pappy" O'Daniels have passed the primaries in their States and seem certain of reelection.

The lack of voters yesterday was probably due less to apathy than to lack of foresight. People love to read that three Jap planes were shot down, so they buy War Bonds. But they may be overlooking how, where, and when their money is being used. If we don't use the right to vote, which we are fighting to keep, and use it conscientiously, all the War Bonds in the world will be a poor weapon.