Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-27
SMITH FOR FIRST
TIME GIVES STAND
Congressional Candidate in
Initial Statement Outlines
Position on Issues.

beginning Of the fight for the seat in
Congress from the eighth Virginia dis
trict, subject to the Democratic primary
of August 5. Judge Howard w. Smith
of Alexandria last night told why he
had elected to conduct a campaign of
personal contact rather than one Of
public speaking and outlined where he
stood on the various issues that have
been brought up in the primary tight.
First in Field.
when I announced myself candi-
date for Congress" Judge Smith said
at the outset of his remarks, mo other
candidates were in the field. 1t was
=, necessary for me then to determine
whether should make a speaking cam
paign OF. campaign by going amongst
the people whom aspired to represent.
Feeling that the people would prefer to
determine my qualifications by personal
contact chose the latter course.
was further actuated by the conviction
that joint debates and public discus
sions in Democratic primaries lead to
party discord and bitterness, resulting
In mudslinging and personalities"
In his talk, which was made over
Radio Station WAdAL from its studios
in Washington, Judge Smith dwelt prin-
-cipally on the issue in which he said he
felt the people of the district were most
concerned of farm relief. He
stated that he favored a law which
would prevent speculation in the future
grain markets, stating that the loss to
himself, as farmer. and to millions
of farmers all over the country was
not due to over-production, but to the
fact that people who never raised
bushel of wheat were gambling in the
wheat pit of Chicago upon the sweat
Of the farmers brow.s
Concerning Prohibition.
Concerning prohibition, which ques-
ton he said his opponents were riding
with whip and spur, Judge Smith stated
that any permanent and satisfactory
action requires disintereSted and care
fm cooperation of many minds to find
o solution that will meet with the APP
proval of the masses of the people. He
stated that he had been assailed by his
opponents because he would not treat
it as an issue in the campaign. He
said that he would certainly comply
with his oath of ONCE to uphold the
Constitution and laws of the United
States and will make no exception to
the eighteenth amendment or the laws
enacted pursuant thereto.
As to whether he would, If elected,
uphold any measures introduced TO
strengthen these laws, Judge Smith
said he was unable to answer until he.
could see and consider the proposed
measures. He said that he would not,
blindfolded, support any unknown
measures, or any person, on any Sub
ject, but would use his best judgment
and discretion after careful study and
consideration of such measures as he
believed to be In the interest OF the
welfare of the country and in conform
tty with the wishes of his constituents.
Views on Farm Relief.
Quoting from Judge Smiths remarks,
ne said, concerning farm relief:
My opponents have sought to divert
public attention from the issue in which
the material welfare of the people Of
this district is most concerned, that Is
relief for the deplorable situation now
confronting the farming industry ]
was born and reared on a farm and
have been engaged in practical farming
all my life. The farming industry is
the basis of our national prosperity.
When the farmer is prosperous the
country is prosperous, but he cannot be
made to prosper with kind words or
futile promises.
THE vast surplus crops that annually
giut the markets often result in the sale
Of the farmsrs crops At , less than the
brings distress not only 70 the farmer,
but to all business.
1T pledge to the farmers and dairy
men my constant and untiring efforts
20 better their condition.
Would Prevent Speculation.
81 favor law that would prevent
speculation in the future grain mar
kets. The grain market is manipulated
by speculative purchases and sales
rather than by the law of supply and
demand, Last year while I was thresh-
ing wheat the price varied 20 cents
bushel variation of over Is per cent
in three days. This loss to myself and
millions of farmers was not due to over
production, but to the fact that people
Who never raised a bushel Of wheat
we're gambling in the wheat pit of Chi
cago upon the sweat OF the farmers
brow"
Concerning prohibition, Judge Smith
said:
81 have observed my opponents de-
voting Their energy TO riding with whip
and spur upon the question of prohibi-
ton. The people OF this State and Ma
ton who desire the question Of tenn
pefance settled TO the best advantage of
the moral welfare of the country realize
It will never be settled as long as cam
didates for Office choose to use tt as Q
foot ball for every Office. My opponents
have combined their forces to assault
me because I have not treated IL as an
issue in this campaign, and have charged
me with fear to state my position for
political reasons.
Answered Anti-SaIoon League.
when the Anti-Saloon League, off,
cial organ OF the dry forces in Virginia,
sent to the candidates its QUESTIONABLE,
was the first to answer promptly and
frankly.
ar said, In reply to the first branch
of your inquiry, namely, whether II
elected I viii uphold the Constitution,
including the eighteenth amendment,
and the laws enacted pursuant thereto
for its enforcement, would state as
follows:
81 shall certainly comply with my
oath of office TO uphold the Constitu-
ton and laws Of the United States, and
win make no exception Of the eight
pursuant thereto.
81 was appointed to judgeships by
two governors and elected to judgeshipS
by three State Legislatures, and took
that oath on each occasion. Whether
faithfully performed 1t In the past Is a
matter of public record and common
knowledge in this vicinity.
THE second branch OF your inquiry
is whether ! will uphold any measure
that may be introduced to strengthen
these laws wherein experience has
proven them to be weak. I am unable
to give an affirmative or negative an
swer to this question until / can see
and consider the proposed measures. I
viii not pledge my support blindfolded
TO any unknown measures, to any per-
son on any subject, but viii use my hest
Judgment and discretion after careful
study and consideration for such meas
ures as ! believe to be in the interest
of the welfare of our country and in
conformity with the wishes OF my con-
stituents.
You must select your member of