Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-27
CONGRESS BATTLE
NEAR FEVER HEAT
Fight for Nomination in Eighth
Virginia District Growing
in Intensity.
BY LESTER N. INSKEEP,
Stan CORRESPONDENT OF The star.

Stan Correspondent OF The Star.
ARLINGTON COUNTY COURT
HOUSE, Va, July 26.-with the Demo-
cratic primary, August 5, but little
more than a week away, the fight for
the seat in the House of Representa-
tives from the eighth congressional dis
trict Of Virginia Is being famed to
fever heat by the five candidates for
the nomination.
Since the nomination is tantamount
to election in this particular district
every candidate is now putting forth his
race, 1t Is generally predicted, cannot at
this time be conceded to any one candi-
date and 1t Is not at all certain, that the
political prognosticators can forecast
the result even on election day.
Ball VS.. Smith.
While the feeling may not be general
throughout the entire district, 1t Is
conceded in Arlington County that the
main bout is between State Senator
Frank L. Ball of Arlington and Judge
Howard w. Smith Of Alexandria. Poll
ticians here believe that the entrance
of Thomas r. Keith of Fairfax was too
late for his election; that Capt Crandal
Mackey, another Arlington County can
didate, is a little too wet to win the
nomination and that E. II. De Jarnette
of Orange is not sufficiently known
throughout the district to be a formid-
able contender.
There is considerable difference of
opinion as to the effect that the last
minute entrance of Keith will have on
the candidates. of Ball and Smith. Prior
to Keith's entrance Ball was the recog-
nized candidate of the incumbent, r.
Walton Moore, but this valuable support
was lost, due to the fact that Keith
and Moore are relatives and law part
nerS. On the other hand, 1t is gener-
ally conceded that Smith was stronger
In Fairfax County than was Ball, hence
many believe that Smith will be the
heaviest loser In that county.
Influence Beyond County.
The effect of Keith's entrance into
the fight has not been confined to Fair
fax County, however. While he is a
for many years past, he is a native of
Fauquier County, which also is in this
district, and still has considerable in
huence and support there. Smith at
one time was conceded q considerable
edge in the rural districts, but many OBJ
servers of the political situation now
say that he has lost ground as a result
OF kelJnS entry.
The rural strength of Smith and
come by the labor vote, which is ex-
pected to be almost solidly for Ball.
He has been unreservedly Endorsed by
the Virginia Federation of Labor as the
result Of his efforts In behalf of labor
during his two terms as State Senator
from this district. Since he represents
Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William
Counties and the City of Alexandria in
the State Senate he, too, Is well known
in the rural districts and may be exc
pected to get fair share of this vote,
at least in the counties he represents.
Smith will undoubtedly carry Alexandria
by large majority, the same being true
OF Ball in Arlington.
The campaigns Of Ball, Mackey and
De Jarnette have been marked by their
intensity, while that of Smith has been
equally marked by his refusal to speak
or even appear at public gatherings, his
first speech being made tonight over
the radio. Smiths campaign has until
this time been conducted quietly by
picked leaders in every community, but
with as little fuss as possible. Bail also
has his political organization in each
community. but these, known as Ball
Clubs, have been given much publicity.
Prohibition Major Issue.
Prohibition appears to be the major
issue of the campaign in the minds of
the voters. Great interest is being
shown in the attitude of the candidates
on this subject and it is predicted by
some that 1t will control the election.
Mackey and Keith are definitely wet,
Ball is unequivocally dry, De Jarnette
favors "a quart a month" and Smiths
attitude on this subject remains mys-
terry in SO fer as the public is concerned.
In reply to a recent interrogatory sent
to all of the candidates by the Virginia
Anti-s;aloon League, he replied that he
could not commit himself as to his fu-
ture attitude toward dry legislation until
he knew what that legislation would be.
Many dry voters. reckoned as support
ers OF Smith, seem to be dissatisfied with
this attitude and are said to be turn
ing toward Ball. '
With a situation of this kind facing
the voters it is easy to understand why
there should be an unusual amount OF
interest in the campaign and for the
same reason it Is expected that an ex-
ceptionally heavy vote will be, polled.