Evening star., 1941-07-20
Virginia Campaign
For Governorship
Gains Speed
Senators Page and Cary
Will Stoy in Race
Against Dorden
By the Associs ted Press.

By the Associated Press.
RICHMOND, Va, July 19.-The
Virginia Democratic gubernatorlal
campaign is picking up speed as the
August 5 primary nears aftetr the
comparative quiet that prevailed
when the field was narrowed to
three candidates.
Both State Senators Vivian L.
Page of Norfolk and Hunsdon Cary
of Henrico reiterated their lnten-
tions this week of remaining in the
race to the finish, while former Rep
resentative Colgate w. Darden, jr.,
of Norfolk, whom Mr.. Page has de-
scribed as the candidate backed by
/. the Byrd organization-ac acontinued
personal appearances throughout
the State.
One of the leading issues, the
question of abolishing the poll tax
as a prerequisite to voting, moved
| to the front with the announce
ment by Mr.. Darden that if elected
he did not contemplate making any
recommendations to the General
Assembly on the subject, although
passage of either of two bills pend
! ing in Congress to eliminate the tax
in Federal elections might neceSsl-
tate State action.
Two Oppose Poll Tax.
Both Mr. Page and Mr. Cary have
emphasized abolition of the tax as
one of the major planks in their
platforms.
| Another development was the as
sertion of Mr.. Page at Harrisonburg
that if Mr. Darden were elected and
a vacancy occurred in the United
| States Senate. Mr. Darden would
resign to accept appointment to that
position, an assertion which the for
mer Representative quickly denied.
Senator William M. Tuck of South
Boston and Moss A. Plunkett Of
Roanoke, rivals for the nomination
for Lieutenant Governor, stepped up
their activity, but interest in the
second place race appeared much
less intense than that of four years
ago when the late Senators Saxon
w. Holt of Newport News and Rob-
ert w. Daniel of Prince George
Waged a warm battle that ended in
Holt victory by a margin of 109,-
259 to 1882.
Agree on Some Issues.
The three candidates have shown
substantial agreement on several
| iotc t7a1rn aIuNnofoI aorcn1i-
dation of the highway systems, fur
therance of the three-point school
program, consideration of State
employees retirement system and
penal reforms.
Mr.. Page and Mr.. Cary have sug-
gested further reorganization OF
some State agencies, oppose diver
sion of highway funds, have pro-
posed a merit system for State
employees and have declared ths
State Game Commission must be
divorced from politics"
The foreign policy of Presiden
Roosevelt appears to have the back
ing of all three.
Senator Page. in 15-point plat
form advocated reduction of th'
State automobile license fee, revi-
sion of the election laws, adoption
of a State Wage-hour bill and aboll-
ton of rules and regulations OF
commissions having the force ano
effect of law.
Senator Carys program, also o
IS points, includes proposals to-
broadening the Workmen's Compen
sation Act to cover employers OF fiv'
or more persons, redistricting, adop
ton of legislation to set up a com
mission to inquire into labor dis
putes before strikes or lockout
occur, a "self-help'' program TO
agriculture, anti-pollution legisla
ton and the teaching of the II
effects of alcohol in the publ
schools.
Darden Stresses Defense.
Mr.. Darden, who has not issue'
formal platform, has suggested
several recommendation in addi
ton to those on which he is il
agreement with the other candi
dates. These include the addition
of 200 men to the State police force
an increase from five to nine in tn
membership of the State Highwa
5 Commission, no pardons for drunkel
; drivers and freezing the State liter
ary fund at its present level s.
that earnings may be used towar'
: creating a sound teacher retiremen
| system.