1940

> Many a U. S. Founding Father, more than somewhat suspicious of democracy,/- took comfort in upholding the poll tax principle, which neatly eliminated the great unwashed from a voice in naming the people's choice. Time, and the growth of democratic ideas, ate away the poll tax bulwarks--in the U. S. eight States still make a citizen clink cash on the counter before casting a vote.

Last week in Tennessee, which allows a person to pay the $1 poll tax for any member of his immediate family. Knoxville pastors and prominent citizens fancied up a new attack on the tax under a cynical, seasonal slogan: "Give a Poll Tax for Christmas."

> Under the laws of Oregon, the names of Presidential candidates may be placed on the primary ballots without their consent --if 1000 signatures from at least seven of Oregon's 36 counties, and from 10%of the State's precincts, are obtained by petition.

Last week the left-wing Oregon Commonwealth Federation circulated initiative petitions to get Franklin Roosevelt's name on the May 17 primary ballot. Federation officials maliciously challenged John Nance Garner to file in the primary, jeered: "If your Oregon sponsors have difficulty securing requisite signatures, we offer you assistance. . . ."

> Add Third-Termites of the Week: Illinois's bald, paunchy Governor Henry Horner. Chicago's bluff, blunt Mayor Edward Kelly. Add anti-Third Termites: New York City's Republican Bruce Barton, adman, God-man and Congressman from the Park Avenue district: "I feel sure that Mr. and Mrs. Roosevelt will be permitted to have a happy, peaceful time at Hyde Park in the future."

> The work of administering his Federal Security Administration last week took Paul Vories McNutt into New Jersey, for a luncheon at Newark with bankers, corporation officers, and politicos of both parties. The tall "Orchid Man" said the visit had no political significance, but "we weren't playing tiddlywinks."

> Newest FORTUNE survey of public opinion last week brought an oversized headache to many a G. O. P. politico. It found that Franklin Roosevelt would at this time receive more votes for President than three other leading Democrats and four leading Republicans combined.

/- i. e., Alexander Hamilton's classic line: "Your people, Sir, is a great beast!"

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