Evening star., 1942-08-05
Virginia Primary

The smashing primary victory
which has been won by Representa-
tive Howard Smith of Virginia estab-
fishes two things so far as the voters
of his district are concerned. First,
that Mr.. Smiths stand on the labor
question, which rests on the premise
that unions should be required to
assume responsibilities commensu-
rate with their privileges, is over
whelmingly approved by his con-
stituents. And, second that a polit-
ical campaign based in part on
distortion of issues cannot be waged
successfully in the eighth Virginia
district.
In this contest Mr.. Smiths op-
ponent was an officer Of an inter-
national labor union. His campaign.
when directed toward the supposedly
strong labor vote in Alexandria and
Charlottesville and the New Deal"
vote In Arlington County, was de-
signed to make political capital out
Of what was described as Mr.. Smiths
"anti-labor" sentiments. The effort
was dismal failure. Representative
Smith, denying that he was hostile to
any legitimate labor aspiration, stood
squarely on his record and solicited
the support of the voters on the basis
OF his record. He carried every pre-
cinct in Alexandria, Charlottesville
and Arlington.
In the rural areas, where it was
considered unwise from a political
standpoint to attack Mr.. Smith on
his labor record the campaign of
his opponent was aimed at con-
vincing the electorate that the in
cumbent had obstructed the war
effort by his activities in the House.
This charge was based on fragrant
distortion of Mr.. Smiths record, and
the tremendous majorities returned
IN his favor by the rural voters are
indicative Of the extent to which they
resented this political maneuver. The
labor candidate might have made a
better showing in the rural areas, and
could hardly have done worse, If he
had confined his campaign to the
labor issue.
There can be no doubt that organ
lied labor, both AFL and CIO, was
out to get Mr.. Smiths political scalp
in this campaign. His opponent had
the unstinted support, financial and
otherwise, Of the national labor
groups, and a determined effort was
made to line up against the incum-
bent those persons who have recently
moved into the eighth district to
engage in war work Yet Mr. Smith
rolled up 4-to-1 vote against his
opponent, greater margin of victory
than when he was opposed during
the purge" effort of 1888 by William
E. Dodd, jr. Despite the larger total
! vote cast, Mr.. Smiths opponent, on
the basis of nearly complete returns
actually received fewer votes than
we're cast for Mr.. Dodd four years
ago. The significance of this fact
plus the even more decisive victory
of Representative Woodrum In the
sixth Virginia district despite labor.
opposition, undoubtedly will impress
those members of Congress who have
been hesitant to deal with labor
excesses through fear of an unfavor.
able public reaction.
There Is one more conclusion which
seems justified by the results OF tn.
primary. Even those who disagree
with Mr. Smiths views on the labo
question concede that he has tht
courage of his convictions At NJ
time during the campaign did h
attempt in any way to modify O
misrepresent the stand on the labo
question that he has taken in tn
House. This reflects a fortnight
ness which is the exception rathe
than the rule In politics, but In thi
case at least it is quality which ha
strongly appealed to the votin