The Washington times., 1913-06-08
WASHINGTON TIMES BUREAU,
ALEXANDRIA, VA, JUNE g.

With three campaigns under way, two
OF them for State offices and one which
| may result in a local option election,
Alexandria is in the midst of a political
turmoil which is the sole object of talk
on the streets.
Thirty days ago there was not a cloud
on the political sky and the comment
years there would be no contest in Alex
andria this year. The time for the
entry of candidates for municipal and
State offices went by, and there being
no candidates beyond the incumbents
they were declared the nominees of The
Democratic party, which is equivalent
to an election.
Just previous to the closing of the
nominations tor a member of the legis
lature. Major E, ". r. Ewing. of Alex
andria, county, entered the race against
City Councilman ]. Fred Birrell, who
has been a candidate since Robinson
MoncCre. the incumbent, announced iwo
years ago that he would retire from
the legislature at the expiration OF mis-
present term. o. P. Angelo, an en-
gineer on the Southern railway, made
the third in the three-cornered race
and an active campaign has been in
progress. -.
Under ordinary circumstances Birrell
probably would have no difficulty in
winning on account of his personal pop
ularity and his long start on the other
two candidates, but the injection OF the
liquor question in the fight and the eff
fort to hold Birrell responsible for the
action of a minority in city council in
refusing TO vote for the increase in
liquor licenses have complicated the
situation. The legislative primary will
be held July s.
The second fight developed this weel.
when Lewis II. Machen and Alexander
J. Wedderburn. two local newspaper
men. filed notifica tion of their candidacy
for lieutenant governor, which will be
settled in the primary to be held Au-
gust 5. The third entry in the race is
J. Taylor Ellyson. the incumbent, who
also is chairman Of the Virginia central
Democratic committee. Mr. Machen will
make his fight on an anti-maChine plat
form, which includes the adoption Of
the enabling act which will give the
people Of the State the right to vote
on Statewide prohibition.
The situation in city council over
the liquor licenses Is so intense that
It even overshadows the other two
fights. Conferences were held all day
yesterday between members of the
common council and the board Of
aldermen seeking a satisfactory solu-
tior Of the differences. but tho lower
board has firmly agreed to accept no
figure less than an increase of 800
this year. In the meanwhile the pro-
hibition element is using the deadlock
as an argument against the saloons,
and open threats Of a local option
election are being made. To obtain
such an election il will be necessary
to obtain the sigma lures of 400 quail
fed voters to a petition which must
be presented to the Judge Of the cor
poration court. Under the law he
must order the election.
The names Of two score or more
business and professional men will be
presented to the grand jury by
Charles H Callahan. commissioner of
row morning. for alleged failure to
pay their State licenses and make
proper returns Of their business The
following criminal cases will be con-
sidered: James Johnson, rOlored,
charged with feIoniously cutting
Daniel Tate. COlOred: Edward TOmp-
kins. cOlOred, petit larceny. third Of
fense: Albert Stewart, coIored. felon-
iOusly shooting Evie Porter, a small
cOlOred girl
Application will be made shortly by
Gardner l.. BoOthe attorney for the
Stockholders or the Emerson Steam
Pump Company. to Judge Edmund Wad-
dell Of tie United tSates district court.
for a dismissal of the bank uptcy pro-
ceedings against the company At a
meeting Of the creditors yesterday af-
ternoOn an agreement to accept n per
cent on their claims was reached.
Final plans for the graduation exer-
cises OF the first year class to complete
the full four-year course in the AIaxun-
dria High School, will be made toriurrow
afternoon. The exercises will be held
June Is. in the Young Peopl-'s building
speaker Of national reputation has
been invited 70 deliver the address.