Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-02
VIRGINIA LEADERS
SILENT ON Cannon
Democrats Refuse to Com.
ment, Except Page,
Who "Rejoices."
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
RICHMOND, Va, June Demo
cratic party leaders of Virginia, with
one exception, read without comment
today the advice given Virginia anti
Smith Democrats by Bishop James
Cannon, jr., of the Methodist Episcopal
Church South, who indorsed an anti
Smith ticket for State Offices and called
for vigorous opposition to State Demo-
cratic leaders who supported Alfred E.
Smith for the presidency.
Roosevelt Page, one Of three candi-
dates for the Democratic nomination
for governor. however, said the Cannon
statement would "liberate friends of
mine who thought they had to vote for
the friend or opponent of James Can
non, jr."
Bishop Canon was charged with
misleading Democrats into believing he
was a Democrat, while supporting the
Republican nominee last year, in a
statement issued by Mr.. Page from
Oakland. his Hanover County home.
Gov. Byrd Also Silent.
Gov. Harry F. Byrd, Democratic ma
tional committeeman for Virginia, made
no comment on the Cannon letter, writ
ten to anti-Smith leaders in Virginia.
John Garland Pollard, candidate for the
Democratic nomination for governor,
kept the same silence, while G. Walter
Mapp, the third candidate for governor
in the Democratic primary, could not be
seen for statement.
Bishop Cannon, meanwhile, declined
to amplify his position as to which of
the three candidates for the Democratic
nomination he had in mind in making
the assertion, If were shut I'D to a
choice among the three candidates for
the Democratic primary nomination
there would be no question in my own
mind for which candidate would vote. /"
Il do not wish to supplement my let
ter" Bishop Cannon told reporters,
adding that he was sorry If his mean
ing was not clear to every one familiar
with the present political situation in
Virginia.
First Of Boiling States to Vote.
Virginia Is the first of the five South
ern States which voted for Hoover to
hold State election. The three Demo-
cratic candidates for governor in the
August primary already are Stumping
the State. The anti-Smith Democrats,
having announced their intention to
nominate ticket, will hold a conven-
ton in Roanoke June 1-8. The Repub-
Richmond June 26.
A governor, lieutenant governor and
an attorney general are to be elected, in
addition to members of the Legislature.
Mr.. Page Comments.
OAKLAND, Va, June Roosevelt
Page. candidate for the Democratic
nomination for Governor of Virginia,
today issued statement declaring
Bishop James Cannons advice to anti
Smith Democrats to stay out of the
Virginia Democratic primary for State
ofdces will liberate friends of mine who
thought they had to vote for the friend
or the opponent of James Cannon, jr"
Mr.. Page, at his home here, issued his
statement after reading the letter writ
ten by Bishop Cannon, jr.
James Cannon, jr., is running true
to FORM" Mr.. Page said. Having mis-
led many Democrats into believing that
he was Democrat though fighting
openly for the Republican nominee for
the presidency, he now comes out to say
he will not enter the Democratic pri-
mary for the governorship and does not
want his friends to vote in the Demo-
cratic primary between the three Dem
ocratic candidates for governor.
IT rejoice that Mr.. Cannon is thus
acting. 1t will liberate friends of mine
who thought they had to vote for the
friend or the opponent of James Can
non, jr.
IT anticipated his attitude when I an
nounced my candidacy for the governor
ship, and hope, If nominated, to meet
him In debate as met him once when
he opposed the woman's college at the
University of Virginia"