Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-08-01
-HARR|sONFICHT
IS WARMEsT FOR YEARS
Contest for Congress In Seventh
District Brings Voters ALMOST
to Daggcrs' Points.
BOTH SIDES CLAIM VICTORY
Candidates Speak on Same Night In
Winchester. but Cannot Agree on
Terms for Joint Debate-Ilold
Primary Tuesday.

WINCHESTER. VA. July 3I.-Wi;h
Representative Il. w Harrison, OF
Winchester. candidate for rcnom!na-
ton to Congress from the Seventh
virginia District, and his opponent,
state Senator Robert +. Lccdy, OF
Luray. holding forth here at the same
tune tonight, but In different sections
or the town. the most vigorously
prosecuted campaign In the distric, In
many years. virtually closed tonight.
Last-minute appeals. however. VIII 10
made to the voters on Monday. when
each candidate will speak In his home
county. The primary will be hold Au-
gust 3.
Efforts were made earlier In the
week to arrange "A Joint debate. An
houncements appeared simultaneous
iy that the candidates would speak in
Winchester on the night OF july 81
Colonel Leedy issued the challenge.
and Judge Harrison Immediately ac-
cepted. suggesting that tho meeting
be hold in building. where there
would be no Interruptions Colonel
Leedy carne back. saying he wanted
to speak in the open. where every
body could hear.
aCtfOn ACcuScH other.
Almost instantly the newspapers
bristlcd with charges and counter
Charges. each faction accusing the
other OF trying to dodge the proposed
debate. Meanwhile. S. l.. Lup,on. To-
cal Lcedy manager. rented the CITY
Hall Auditorium for Saturday night
In order. II was said. TO keen JIa-ri-
son from speaking there. The politI-
cal atmosphere was surchnrged win
confusion. runors and reports, until
the rival factions appeared 70 be In
their last extremity for counter
move.
FINALLY. II was arranged for Judge
harrison to speak In the Roues nrc
haii' and the Leedyitcs selected the
courthouse lawn on Main stree.
Ii'izcns OF the community exnregsca
themselves as satisfied with The ar
rahaemcnts. Rornc saying n join, do
pa'c IN the open may lead to rough
house tactics and call for tho hog
ptai ambulance. Both meetings were
attended By immcnHc crowds ;orlSht.
during the campaign now closing
the people OF the seventh pls,rjc,
have heard more political haranr,,es
IMAM have taken place since tho Re
adjuster days. when Join, debates
were common. Hardly n cross. road
village In the ten counties Of the
seventh District has been overlooked
oy the Candidates. while the news
papers have carried scores OF columnn
o. matter. either pra!slng or CON
oenn!ns tho official records OF the
rivals for congressional honors.
Reach Voters Through Ads.
The Jefferson Club bought a whole
page In the Harrisonburs News
Record hva or six weeks ago. and
each Friday II has attacked Judge
Harrison's ofIlcIal record, Mt the sam.
time telling the voters that Colonel
Leedy was mot born with silver
spoon In his mouth" and tina. he Is
the man to vote for
IL was stated AZ Iiarrison head.
quarters tonight that their candidate
VIII win by at least 1000. and perhaps
1000 majority. They appeared more
Optimistic than tho Leedyi,es. al
though the iatter's managers here
claim he will pull through
Judge Harrisons friends declare he
has conducted an aggressive cam
paiBn on iT-phd. intelligent and out
spoken lines. and has presented the
Issues in cl'ar and clcan-cut way.
and that he entirely willing to go
before tn" voters on his omcIa!
record.
Colonel L"edy. who came out on n
light wine and beer platform, say!rs
in his platform that Il view with
alarm the growing tendency Of the
Federal government to encroach upon
the rights OF the States and their cit
liens" has stuck pretty close 10 his
text. and has hammered away right
and left on the subject OF personal
liberty. lie has also severely ar
raiGned West Pointers In the ARM.
and has taken numerous filings at the
food barons. His opposition TO COM
pulsory military training was fully
set forth. Colonel IIeedy has dis
cussed his war record, telling mis-
version OF why he did not go to
France and blaming the West Point
crs for his being relieved of his com
mand. Judge Harrison. it was stated
tonight, has never alluded in his
speeches to Colonel Leedy's wa- re-
cord.
Says He Was MisGuutcd.
Colonel Lccdy declared he was mis-
quoted in a speech at Elkton, va.
and that he did not say he would
not vote for man who supported
the Volstead act, ms did Judge harri-
son. Leedy says he will support Har-
rison In case the latter is nominated
Whoever wins the nomination will
have another fight on their hands
for Captain John Paul. of Harrison
burg, has accepted the Republican
nomination, which was thrust up5r
him ten days lgo In spite of his pre-
tests that b. desired to rebuild his
law practice. which suffered during
his absence in the army and later In
tho Legislature.
The district Is strongly Democratic,
however. and n Republican virtually
has no show of election. Judge Har-
rison defeated Captain Paul four years
ago. receiving over 10000 votes TO