Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-29
MOTOR TAX CUT
PRIMARY ISSUE
Proposed Reduction Brings
Division in Virginia Demo-
cratic Ranks.
Epccisl Dispatc TO The Star.

upon reduction CT the motor vehicle
license tax has begun to enlven the
closing days of one of the most lethar-
gic Democratic eubernatorial primary
contests ever held in Virginia.
FRIENDS OF G. Walter Mapp of Acco-
mac. who now is trailing John Garland
Pollard in The race, have started an
intensive drive to popularizc Mr.. Maps
stand for a reduction of the license
levy. Til usands OF printed folders are
being circulated urging automobile
owners to vote for Mapp because he
favors reduction.
Meanwhile, supporters of Mr.. Pollard,
although confident that he Will win the
contest by a considerable majority, have
launched a counter attack, in which
they accuse Mr. Mapp and his retain
erS of trying to paraly2e the Virginia
pay-aS-you-go plan of road financing.
Mr.. Mapp, who advocated road financ-
ing by bonds six y 1rS ago, plan that
was defeated in ,ndum, Is conSid-
cred particularly " lerable in this re-
gard.
Among the Mapp circulars now being
distributed is one urging reduct. on OF
the motor vehicle tax to SO, measure
which if approved would reduce road
S4S00000 per annum. or about one
third of the total now available for
highway construction and maintenance.
Since Mr.. Mapp has never stated eX-
actly how much reduction he tavorS.
the Pollard clan is demanding state
ment from him of approval or dEap-
proval of the 50 per car basis.
Allies Aim at Control.
While the Democrats are fighting
over the primary nominees, members OF
the Republican and Anti-Smith parties,
who will be allied against the Demo-
cratic candidates in the general cleo
tion November 6, have been preparing
for the general election battle, in which
control of the State will be the stake.
From surface indications the Anti
Smith party will wage campaign
separately from the Republicans, and
parallel to it, since both parties are
seeking the election Of DR.. William
Mosellv Brown. Lexington psychology
professor. as governor. The Anti
Smiths thus far have had printed up
ward of 100000 pieces OF campaign
literature and their State headquar-
ters in Richmond is humming with
activity. The Republican campaign
Office is located in different hotel.
but Is engaged In practically the same
kind of work.
The coalition candidate. DR.. Brown.
IL now doing organization work IN
various parts of the State. and he
recently has been present at most OF
the public functions Of Statewide III
terest. including road opening at
Martinsville. and the annual lnspec-
ton of National Guard troops at Camp
Byrd, near Virginia Beach. 300 miles
away.
$4,000 Expected 10 Vote.
Democratic leaders now estimate that
at least 10000 Democrats Will par
ticipate in the primary August and
that possibly IS 900 additional members
of the party will vote in the general
election on November s. The differ
ence in the vote is because OF the alb
sence Of many people on vacations IN
August. to defectiOns TO the Anti-Smith
party and to lethargy over the CAM
psign, which. having had little night
in it. has not been particularly inter
esting to the average voter.
The primary canvaSSes OF Pollard and
Mapp thus far have taken them INTO
practically all of the 100 counties of
the State, and the candidates LON ~re
engaged in strengthening supposed
weak spots. Mr.. Mapp spoke 10 NoIth-
ern Virginia Democrats Saturday eve
ming over Station WRC, his second use
OF the radio in his campaign.
A recent Development of this CAM
paign was the subscription OF Dolh
candidates to a proposal that me.lt
system be established among State EN-
ployes.
This was followed by an editorial IN
the Union News organ OF the Virginia
Federation of Labor. charging that MT.
Mapp had told committee OF the 1eo-
Grafton that he does not intend 10 APP
point any one who does not actively
and openly support him in the primary.
The Pollard forces were quick to take
advantage OF this charge. thus far I'M
denied by Mr.. Mapp. and Mr.. Pollard
came out with statement at Vlctorla
to the effect that he intends TO base all
of his political appointment, II elected.
upon tried merit. He emphasized. too
that his appointments to the State
board of education would be without re-
gard to political lines and that he would
put successful business men and farm
er5 as well as educators OH the board.
The very active campaigners for Pol
lard have also aimed their guns at ex-
Gov. WeStmoreland Davis OF LeeSburg
Mapp supporter and with Mr. Mapp
advocate of the repeal OF the Virginia
short ballot amendments. Recent state
mentS quote from the State addresses Of
Gov. Davis from 1918 and 1922 and
charge that he was one of the first Viz
ginia advocates OF the short ballot prin-
ciple.
Mr.. Mapp already has been attacked
directly on the grounds that he for
merly favored the short ballot principle
in the selection Of a State superintend-
ent of public instruction.
Pollard Claims.
Pollard headquarters here now clam
7 Of the 10 congressional districts OF
the State for their candidate and say
that the 3 others are doubtful, due 10
recent Pollard gain<.
The Mapp forces have made no pre-
dictions, but are denying the claims
of their opponents. The eighth district,
including Alexandria. Arlington. Fair
fax, Fauquier. Loudoun and other To-
calities of Northern Virginia, is now
claimed for Mapp. as is the first dis
trict, including the Northern Neck and
the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The
sixth, embracing Roanoke and lynch
burg, also is claimed for Mapp. but his
advantage in this district Is said to be
less than in the others. The fourth
district. of which Petersburg is the cap
tai. and the third. with Richmond as
its strong point, are considered about
evenly divided by some observers
The remaining districts have been
practically conceded as Pollard terri
tory, including the ninth. the bi-parti-
san district to the southwest. which
In