Evening star., 1946-08-04
Fenwick Hits Boss
Charge Against Byrd,
Defends Machine

. "Bossism" and machine rule" In
Virginia by Senator Byrd last night
was branded a "fgment OF the
imagination" by Charles r. Fenwick,
co-chairman of the Byrd Smith Club
Of Arlington.
THE so-called Byrd machine is
nothing more than q group Of citi-
zens who believe In honest govern
ment and a sound fiscal policy and
who have been attracted to him by
his outstanding record of good gov
ernment." Mr.. Fenwick said.
AS member of the Legislature
for three terms" he declared, II
never was vbld how to vote on any
measure nor was it suggested to me
that I follow any course of action
at the request of Senator Byrd or
his representatives The conclusive
evidence that he does not attempt
to dictate is illustrated by his vote
on the loan to Great Britain-he
voting against 1t and the rest OF
the Virginia delegation in Congress
voting for It,"
Primary on Tuesday.
Senator Byrd is opposed for re-
nomination by Marin A. Hutchin-
son, Richmond. in the Democratic
primary Tuesday.
Senator Byrd assumed the lead
ership for progressive good govern
ment while In the State Senate and
ran for Governor on a platform
which required ~ constitutional
amendments resulting in consolida-
tion of over 100 agencies into IL
compact departments" Mr.. Fenwick
said. He has been a staunch sup
ported OF honest government and
this has been the basis for his in
fluence in the State
IF Senator Byrd is to- be charged
with the shortcomings of the State,
then likewise he must be given
credit for its progressive develop
ment. No State can compare with
the progress made In Virginia in
recent years. During his admins
tration as governor, Senator Byrd
launched a pay-as-you-go road
building program which has re-
suited In a road system equal to
any In the nation, without dollar
Of bonded indebtedness. The
primary highway system has been
expanded from 1900 miles to 7,200
miles and, In addition, 42,232 miles
OF country roads are being main
tanned under the State system
Cites Tuberculosis Drive.
Although 1t has been charged Vir-
ginia stands fifth in the incidence
Of tuberculosis. Mr. Fenwick said
the tuberculosis program has been
so active that 1t has outstripped
other states" in discovering the d.
sease by physical examination.
THE so-called sinister influence
Of the Byrd machine Is a bug-a-boo
created by his opponents in an at
tempt to bring criticism to good
government in the State and in
fluence those newcomers who are
not familiar with the record Of
achievement that has been made"
Mr.. Fenwick asserted.
"It Is unfortunate that Senator
Byrd's opponents, In their zeal to
discredit him, have resorted to in
nuendo and mis- statements Of fact
They now are raising the ugly head
Of racial prejudice by comparing
him to Bilbo and Talmadge No
man in Virginia has a better record
for freedom from bigotry and race
prejudice than he. While governor
In 1928, he was responsible for the
passage Of the strongest anti-lynch
law existing In any State and there
never has been a lynching in Vir-
ginia since that date. At present
he Is serving on the National Com
mittee for the Alfred E. Smith Me-
morial'
Clements Makes Charge.
The latest charge OF bossism
against Senator Byrd was made
yesterday when j. Ewood Clements,