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Show Politicians Eye Vast Increase in Women Voters WASHINGTON. For the second time in American history more worn-j worn-j en than men are eligible to vote. Up to 1940 the men had the edge, j In 1944 the population figures switched the advantage to the distaff dis-taff side. There were some guesses that it might be the war, with the men away, but that guess now appears ap-pears incorrect. Both parties figure there are about a million and a half more eligible women voters than men. Both major parties are preparing an emphatic wooing oi the petticoat ballot. Each has gotten out a sort of primer for the newcomers. The Democrats call theirs the "Guide Book." It gets down to such fundamentals as "What Is a Precinct?" Pre-cinct?" and how to work In one. The Republicans call their booklet "Selecting and Electing." It concentrates con-centrates on how to become a delegate dele-gate to the national convention and how to help run thins there. Both books would be good for cither men or women hopefuls in the political wings. Women Are Determined Women in both parties are determined de-termined to put more women into political office for two reasons: (1) They like to see women in office, but also (2) they hope that the party I which is most generous to women office seekers will also corral the largest part of the women's vote. Women's first loyalty appears to be to the party and then to their sex. Women office holders reached a peak in state legislatures in 1945-'46, when there were 234 women in of7 flee. They have slipped now. There are 23 less. That slip worries the women chiefs of both parties Mrs. India Edwards of the Democrats and Mrs. Robert W. Macauley of the Republicans. The political plums on which the women concentrate are seats in congress. Right now there are seven women in the house, none in the senate. Plenty of Contenders But there are plenty of contenders on the road. The Republican women, wom-en, through the mails, have heard of 18 women all told fighting for seats in the house. The Democrats have further information in-formation about possible contenders contend-ers which may bring the women seeking congressional posts to between be-tween 20 and 25. Frances Perkins still stands alone in the political history of American women. She has been the sole woman wom-an cabinet member, as secretary of labor to President Roosevelt. |