Evening star., 1936-08-21
bLANT0N FACING
HARD POLL FIGHT
Animosities May Sweep Him
From Office in Run.Off
of Primary.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

ABILENE. Tex, August 21.-Ani-
mosities among his constituents to-
morrow may sweep from the office
which he has held with one minor
break for 20 years Thomas L. Blanton,
militant Representative Of the Seven
teenth Texas District, and replace him
with the relatively mild-mannered and
soft-spoken Clyde L. Garrett, county
Judge. But the outcome Of the pri-
mary is anybody's guess and Blanton
may win.
Voters in q 12-county area will
decide the issue in a second primary,
or run-off, for the Democratic nomi-
nation, equivalent to election. Their
battle, q hot one for the past four
weeks and in sharp contrast with the
tepid first primary, had its climax
last night. While Blanton was bid
ding for votes in Eastland. home
town of his opponent, Garrett came to
Abilene, home and stronghold Of Blan-
ton, accompanied by a throng of sup
porters from Eastland and neighbor-
ing towns.
The records offer Clyde Garrett, q
public servant who obviously has the
confidence Of his neighbors but here
tofore little known outside his own
community; and Tom Blanton. a ma
tional figure and known for years in
his district personally or by sight to
practically every voter.
Natural conclusion: The near
majority gained by Garrett in three
man field in July is more the result
of an anti -Blanton sentiment than Of
a pro-Garrett feeling.
Enmity Of Long Duration.
Some of the enmity toward Blanton
has long smouldered. More is freshly
created. Being Of an extremely posi-
tive type, he has made an accumula-
ton of adversaries in the district for
various reasons.
A close ballot is generally predicted,
both sides having made drives to
overcome the normal lethargy Of a
second primary. Apathy, exclusive Of
the congressional race, is more pro-
nounced than usual, because all but
two State contests and most county
races were decided In July.
Blanton forces. realizing that the
burden of the campaign is theirs. have
centered their efforts on alternating
Garrett supporters of the first primary
Balance of power lies in the vote Of
Fred o. Jaye, third candidate in July.
Jaye. Townsend candidate, received
approximately $500 votes. Blanton
polled more than 10000. and Garrett
more than $4,000. The total of more
than $4,000 compared with a maxi
mum voting strength Of $4,000.
Following his defeat Jaye declared
for Blanton, bat has not been an
active worker for him. Blanton has
been an avowed foe Of the Townsend
plan, but the sectional Townsend Or
ganization. meeting in Cisco after the
first primary. declined to indorse
either candidate.
Debate Challenge Declined.
A challenge of Blanton to his oppo-
nent for a series of debates in the
AZ COuIIty cCdIo Va tliC diotllSb was
declined. Garrett, never announcing
a speaking schedule long in advance,
has adopted . general policy of fol-
lowing Blanton. Usually he has been
found about "a hours behind the
Representative.
In reply to Blanton's challenge, Gar
rett said that he was reserving the
right to manage his own campaign as
he saw fit. In answer to Blanton's
charge that SIS 900 slush fund had
been sent into the district to defeat
him, Garrett has said the only slush
fund of which he knows is the money
he obtained by cashing an insurance
policy to conduct his campaign.
The challenger has offered q plat
form of adequate and liberal old age
pensions, disqualification and compen-
sation for disabled veterans of all
wars; q balanced budget, obtained by
elimination of useless expenditures in
stead Of increased taxes; repeal of
Federal emergency legislation as busi-
ness improves; adequate Army, Navy
and air defenses; more jobs and less
dole; strengthening of antitrust laws,
and establishment Of o merit system
for postmasters.