Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-18
ASSEMBLY RACE
STARTS IN FAIRFAX
Opening Gun Fired With An.
nouncements of Candi-
dacies In Primary.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
FAIRFAX, Va, January IT. The
campaign for member of the House Of
Delegates from Fairfax County opened
today with the simultaneous announce
ment that three Of the county's lead
ing citizens are Offering themselves
as candidates. subject to the Demo-
cratic primary in August. This is the
opening gun of what promises to be
one Of the most spirited contests in q
good many wears for local ofices.
The three candidates who have an
nounced themselves are John g.
Mackall of Mclean, Edmund H. Allen
of Newington and Herbert Williams OF
East Woodford While ne has not made
formal announcement as yet, George F.
Garrison of Herndon has several times
in the past few months stated that he
also expects to be candidate.
Now Held by Republican.
The post is now held by L. L,
Freeman of Vienna, the first Republic
can to be elected to represent the
county since the days Immediately fol-
lowing the Civil War With the
county's return to the Democratic fold
this past November and the over
whelming majority given the Demo-
cratic candidate, Howard Smith, over
his Republican opponent, DR.. Brooks,
there has been no doubt in the minds
of the electorate that Fairfax County'S
real contest for the Legislature and for
the county Offices will be fought out
at the Democratic primary in August
instead OF at the general election in
November.
John c. Mackall, son of Douglas
Mackan Of Langley and member of
family long prominent in Virginia his
tory, is a member of the par of Fairfax
County and the District of Columbia.
He was a lieutenant in the Army Air
Corps during the war. He Is a graduate
Of the University of Virginia, q men,
Der of the board of directors Of the
Fairfax National Bank, Fairfax Coun-
ty Fair Association, Fairfax Alexandria
Building g. Loan Association. He Is
81 years old and unmarried.
High In Fraternal Circles.
Edmund H. Allen, long prominent in
civic and fraternal affairs in Fairfax
County and Northern Virginia, is
agent for the R.. F. a. p. Railroad at
Accotink Station. He Is serving his
second term as president of the Fair
fax County Chamber of Commerce,
has been prominent in its councils since
Its organization. He served as grand
and was the first noble grand when
Accotink Lodge was organized 80 years
ago He Is q leader In all movements
for improvement Of schools and roads,
and has been judge and active men,
Der Of the Democratic County Com
mittee for years.
Herbert Williams, whose brother.
Franklin williams, represented Fairfax
County in the Legislature for years, Is
an orchardist and q member of the
County School Board. representing
Providence district He is a graduate
Of Richmond College and a member of
the bar of the District of Columbia,
though he has never been q practicing
attorney. He was fuel administrator
for Fairfax County during the war.
All three candidates are members of
the Episcopal Church. Their character
Is Q pledge that the coming campaign
will be conducted on q high plane, with
out interjection Of the personalities
which have rendered some recent cam
paigns unpleasant.
Has No PLATFORM.
Mackall states that he has 60 far
prepared no formal platform, but will
discuss the issues Of the campaign as
they arise. He Is hoperui OF restoring
the Democratic party OF Fairfax Coun-
" to the place Of power 1t formerly
occupied in the State Legislature.
Allen states that he is making his
announcement at this time in order
that his friends may be informed Of
his candidacy before they pledge them
selves to any one else and In order that
those who do not know him may be
given an opportunity TO inform them
selves.
Williams announces that he intends
to run on an educational program. He
has been ambitious for some time to
improve the school conditions In the
State, particularly Is regards vocational
education and . reform Of the high
school curriculum in the direction Of
more practical training He stands for
equalization of educational opportuni-
ties both in Fairfax County and the
State as a whole Williams is now
president of the State Association Of
School Trustees and a member Of the
Board OF Visitors of the State School
for the Blind at Stanton