A town clerk files ballots for hostages to Germany

The town clerk of Brookline, Mass., has presented 52 absentee ballots to the American consulate here so the hostages can vote in the presidential election if they are freed by Iran and flown to Frankfurt. Jack Kendrick decided to make the trip, which he financed himself, after the daughter of hostage William Keough asked him to get a ballot to her father. US officials advised him against trying to deliver the forms to Tehran, so he settled for Frankfurt, the city other freed hostages passed through on their way home. mr. Kendrick handed the ballots -- from 21 states and the District of Columbia -- to a consular official, then flew back to Boston.