Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-08-24
COMMITTEE DIVIDED
ON PRIMARY PLEDGE
Spirited Contest Over Vital Feature
of Plans Recommended Ex-
pcctcd Tonight.

Formidable opposition to plans for
he coming Democratic primary drawn
by subcommittee of tho City Demo-
cratic Committee will materialize to-
night when the committee meets at
S:15 o'clock In Murphy's Hotel Annex
TO receive the subcommittee's report
the plans at 4 meeting held last night
The point of conflict in the plans that
have been prepared is the pledge. The
pledge Incorporated in the plans at
last nights meeting binds all persons
entering the primary to support the
Democratic nominees, municipal, State
and national, in the general election
10 be held in November.
The full committee, ut meeting
held last week, adopted II resolution
inStructtnE the, subcommittee to in
sert this sweeping pledge. 1t is com
monty known that many voters who
cratic nominees in all city and State
elections disregard party lines when
casting their ballots in national cleo
tons. These voters would be eXclud
ed unless they are willing to support
Cox and Roosevelt in the coming no :
tional election. Sentiment in tho COM
mittcc is divided in the wisdom of the
pledge which admits to the primary
to be held September IA only those
who are willing to pledge allegiance
10 the Democratic party in city, State
and nation.
Provisions of Plan Acceptable.
II is understood that all other pro-
visions of the plan prepared are ac-
ity OF the city committee. The session
tonight promises to be lively one
The subcommittee at last nights
meeting had no option in the matter
of Incorporating the pledge. tho date
for closing tho list of candidates,
which is September !. and the date for
the primary September II, having
heen specifically instructed on those
three points
As to all other details. the subcom-
mittee was given free rein. There
are twenty members OF the fun com
mittee, five from each ward; Only
twelve were present last week when
the instructions were given to the
subcommittee on plans. According to
men present at the last meeting favor
a modification of the pledge. so as to
permit freedom of choice in national
politics to voters who will pledge
cratic party in city and State.
HIVE Not Expressed Selves.
None of the three candidates-James
r. Pace. Jr;., Herbert L. Hulcc and
pressed himself on the question of a
broad or limited primary pledge. Clyde
W. Saunders. former chairman of the
ager for Mr.. HirschberE. is known to
be strong and consistent advocate
OF the sweeping pledge: Mr.. Saunders
SuppOHtcu mayor alnSllc IN the last
mayoralty campaign. when the Mayor
was opposed by Mr.. Hirschbcrg, and
is credited with large share OF the
success of that memorable contest.
After the meeting. Secretary Walter
G. Duke said. I'VE will recommend an
entry fee sufficient TO cover the cost
or the primary. There may be only
two candidates.: there may he three:
there may he more. We have csti-
mated the cost At $1,000, or n little
over. If there are but two candidates
an entry fee of $500 each will barely
cover the cost. If there are three or
more candidates. we will apportion the
cos. among them.
Mr.. Duke will argue for the broad
pledge ut tonight's meeting.