STRESSES EVILS
OF PARTY PRIMARY
Gen. Harbord Urges Legion
to Take Political Leader
ship in Own Hand.
By the Associated Pre*.*.
FORT SCOTT, Kans., September 8.
—Shortcomings of the average Amer
ican voter were diagnosed today by
ATaj. Gen. James G. Harbord, presi
dent of the Radio Corporation of
America, in an address i*?fore the
State convention of the American
Legion here. The commander of the
American troops at Chateau Thierry
appealed to the veterans of his home
State to take political leadership into
their own hands.
Sees Voters Indifferent.
"The old ship of state is far from
being on the rocks." lie remarked.
"The alarm to be felt in this country
is not so much at conditions as at the
indifference, ignorance and neglect
of the ordinary duties of citizenship
which have brought about those con
ditions.
“Because of his indifference, the
American voter has allowed himself
to be saddled with a primary system
to which he pays little or no atten
tion. The primary makes for cor
ruption, for increased expense, and
has resulted in a lowering of the
average capacity and character in the
candidates selected. Only wealthy
men can aspire to high office under
the primary system.”
Another fault of the average voter,
Gen. Harbord declared. Is the inclina
tion to look on legislation as a rem
edy for all political ills.
Says Congress Invades States.
