Evening star., 1928-10-25
VIRGINIA DISTRICT
FACES REVOLUTION
Strife Over the Main Issues
in Nearby Section Seen
Hoover Aid.
Note-This is the fourth of a series
OF articles on the political situation
in nearby Maryland and Virginia.
BY DONALD A. CRAIG,

BY DONALD A. CRAIG,
| staff Correspondent Of The star.
FAIRFAX, Va, october 25.-Some-
thing like q political revolution" seems
to be in progress in the eighth con-
gressional district of Virginia, adjacent
to Washington. How far it will go no.
body can tell. Some persons believe 1t
already has been nipped in the bud
Others are still wondering what the
outcome will be on election day.
Normally this district gives majority
of about 4,500 to a Democratic nominee
for President. But this year the result
of the campaign is so doubtful that few
persons acquainted with the actual situ-
alton are willing to hazard definite
prediction as to the voting for Smith
and Hoover November 6. Most fre-
ouently one hears the opinion that to-
day it is q "toss-up."
There is no question about the re-
election Of Representative r. Walton
Moore of this town to the House. He
has no opponent, just as Senator
Swanson. of Virginia has no opponent.
The Republican district convention,
which met in August at Stafford Court
House, decided not to name candidate
against Mr.. Moore, partly as a matter
of policy, but largely because 1t felt
certain he could not be beaten anyhow
on account of his popularity throughout
BY not putting up Republican can
didate against Mr.. Moore the Republic
an leaders believe they have improved
Hoover's chances either of carrying the
eighth district or getting a very large
vote there for the reason that they nave
not, to that extent at least. antagonlzeo
the anti-Smith Democrats who Will vote
for Mr.. Moore.
Moore for Smith.
REPRESENTATIVE Moore himself, whose
work in behalf of that portion of Vir-
rinia living directly across the Potomac
River from the National Capital Is well
known in Washington and throughout
the congressional district, is one of
those regular Democrats who will not
admit that there is chance OF the dis
trict voting against the Democratic
presidential nominee. Some other reg
ular Democrats are less hopeful.
John B. GraySon of Warrenton,
chairman of the Republican committee
for the eighth district, believes there
is a chance that Hoover may get a
majority of the votes, or at least that
the Smith majority win be very small.
Frank Lyon of Mclean, chairman OF
a committee Of anti-Smith Democrats,
stresses the revolutionary" character OF
the fight against Smith and declares
that the result Is shrouded in mystery.
The eighth congressional district is
comprised Of the counties Of Arlington,
Culpeper, Fairfax, Fauquier, King
George, Loudoun, Louisa, Orange,
independent city of Alexandria. The
population, according to the census of
1920, was 169,716, and it has increased
rapidly since that time, especially in
those portions close to the District of
Columbia.
In 1920 the district voted for Presi-
dent as follows: Cox, 10,809; Harding,
6,375. Four years ago the Presidential
count was: Davis, 1896; Coolidge,
5,166; La Toilette, 1900.
The eighth district is the one Vir-
ginia district which has always gone
Democratic" said Representative
Moore, who takes the most optimistic
view of the situation, in q recent in
terview. Il entertain no doubt that it
VIII remain Democratic on the presi-
Dental vote next month. There is a
very active campaign in progress and
at this time it would be idle to make
hgures on the result. But from my
observations, it is my opinion that the
one thing certain Is that the eighth
district Will show a Democratic ma
jority."
There are two other sides of the pic
ture IN this district, as elsewhere in
Virginia and in the country. When
Mr.. Grayson was asked how it looked
from his standpoint as Republican
chairman. he said:
The situation Is almost unbeliev-
able. There Is revolt on. It is not
confined to any one section. but has
spread over the whole district. NV
county of Fauqiier is normally 400
Democratic. That majority will GER
tainly be cut In half. Loudoun, which
is normally Democratic by about 1900,
VIII probably have its majority cut to
800 or 400.
7 have strong hope of carrying the
eighth district for Hoover. If Smith
carries 1t, his majority will be yery
small.
In fact, in the vote for President
l look for almost an even break. THAT
Is most conservative statement. I be-
lieve Louisa County will give more than
lOO majority for Hoover, and Stafford
County from 800 to 500 majority for
noover, ana l nave reports from Airing
ton County that indicate that the Hoo
yer majority there may be as high as
1,zOO or I,5OO. King George County is
expected to give Hoover between Inn
and 200 majority, and Fairfax Countv v
is very cloSe--so close that 1t NAV 90
either way by very small majority f"
Smith Is Hard Pressed.
There is ample evidence that the
Smith Democrats are hard pressed
| throughout the district, even in Alexan-
dria City. They are thoroughly Or
ganized, however, and fighting for every
men OF the ground. The normally Re-
| publican counties are Arlington, Stat
lord and King George This year three
otners-Culpeper, Orange and Louisa
seem to be close, according to reports
reaching representatives of the various
campaign committees.
In this district, just as In other parts
OF virginia and most other States. the
main issues are religion and LIQUOR
win religion paramount. Protestants
ana prohibitionists, regardless of party
are openly opposing Smith in large
numbers. Whether enough Democrats
in this classification will vote for Hoo
yer to give him majority in the dis
tr1ct is the big enigma.
| AS chairman of the anti-Smith
democrats in the eighth district" said
Mr.. Lyon to The Star, 81 am free to
admit that the outcome of the fighi
against Gov. Smith is shrouded in thai
mystery which always covers a revolu-
tlon In the making. No sane man would
nave predicted the overwhelming con-
sequences arising from the French rev.