Evening star., 1928-10-18
VOTERS QUIZ ST|RS
FAIRFAX COUNTY
Democratic Officials Indig.
nant at Questionnaires on
Smith Support.

Action of the Democratic executive
committee of Fairfax County, Va, in
sending out questionnaires to all Office
holders in that county asking them to
register in writing their intention of
supporting Gov. Alfred E. Smith, has
resulted in signs of serious dissension
in county Democratic ranks as the Bit
ter struggle between Fairfax County
Hoover supporters and regular" Demo-
Gratis moves into its final stages.
There were signs aplenty throughout
the county today that the. action of
the committee has not only aroused
great indignation, but that ii will be
openly ignored by many Of the most
influential Democrats In the district.
Veteran Is Outraged"
One man, who has been prominently
identified with the Democratic party in
Fairfax County for the past 90 years.
declared today that the letter was IAN
outrage and an imposition on the loyal
Democratic Office holders of the county.
I have been a loyal Democrat all my
life," he said, "but am going to use
my own judgment in this election
Another man, who is recognized as
one of the most influential Democrats
in the county, said the way he intends
to vote this year lis none of the execu-
tive committees business" and that he
is going to vote as he pleases without
taking any orders from them.
General surprise was expressed at this
aggressive action on the part Of the
committee in view of the fact the Re-
publicanS seem to have chance to
carry the county for the first time in
it's history because of previous deser-
tions from the Democratic ranks.
Text of Styles Letter.
The letter, as sent out by Samuel
H. Styles, secretary Of the executive
committee, follows:
THE Democracy of Fairfax County,
for the first time in many years, Is
being seriously challenged Conscious
of its notable contributions to the well
fare of our county and State, your
party Is girding itself for the coming
battle against intolerance and, special
privilege In this hour of conflict the
Democratic party feels that those who
have carried its banner to victory in
the past and who have been rewarded
with the honors in its power to beStow
will gladly avail themselves Of the
opportunity and privilege to publicly an
nounce their intention to support and
vote for the entire ticket on November
6 next.
with this thought in mind and for
the purpose of silencing those enemies
of the party who are secretly and openly
saying that there are Democratic office
holders so ungrateful that they will not
cStNN a CvSAtt a
ocratic executive committee of Fairfax
County, composed of one committeeman
from each precinct, of which j. M. Love
Is chairman, has unanimously resolved
to address a questionnaire to every
Democratic Office holder of the county
asking them to proclaim their purpose
Of supporting the entire Democratic tic
ket in the coming election. The COM
nittee has further decided that the
neglect or refusal to answer this queS-
tionnaire will be construed that such Of
flee holder does not intend to support
the ticket.
THE writer. therefore, as secretary
OF the executive committee, pursuant
to instructions of the executive COM
mittee, respectfully requests you to sign
and return to him in the inclosed self
addressed envelope the statement ap-
pended to the foot of this letter"
Text of Statement.
The statement referred to reads as
follows THE undersigned Democratic
officeholder of Fairfax County Va,
hereby publicly states that he will vote
for and support the entire Democratic
ticket in the general elections to be
held November g."
Mr.. Styles, when interviewed at his
office in the Transportation Building
today, specified that the letters we're
mailed at the command of the executive
committee and not of his own volition.