Evening star., 1946-07-17
Tuck Offers 10 Hear
Hutchinson Report
On Coercion Charge
By the Assoeioted Press

RICHMOND, Va, July 17.-Gov
Tuck has offered Martin Hutch
inson an opportunity to make
good on the Democratic primary
candidates charges that State en-
ployes are being intimidated and
coerced into pledging support to
Senator Byrd.
In response to a letter from Mr..
Hutchinson, made public Sunday,
the Governor wrote that the Hutch
inson charges indicate that you are
resorting to well-known and often
used political maneuver designed
merely to enhance your own can
didacy for the Senate"
He then advised the Richmond
candidate that he would be in his
Office at the Capitol tomorrow and
Friday and would make himself
available 'to hear in detail any re-
liable evidence of coercion or in
timidation on the part of any one
in authority in the State government
over whom I have executive control. >
Reported Complaints.
Mr.. Hutchinson said in his let
ter to the Governor that he had
received total of 81 telephone calls
from State employees complaining
that they had been asked "ano
in some instances virtually directed
to sign postal card carrying thi.
pledge: Dear Senator Byrd: 1t /.
with pleasure that I promise tc
go to the polls on August 6, 1916
or by absentee ballot, cast my vote
for your reelection to the Unitet
States Senate"
He called upon the Governor tc
denounce these practices and tc
assure State employees publicly that
their futures in the Common
wealth's service do not depend upon
their political allegiances.
In reply, the Governor said:
Il have no knowledge of any such
pressure as you allege, and if there
Is any, it is being employed without
my approval, either express or i'm.
piled.
State Voters Free to Vote.
THE value of the services Of oul
State employees is not measured by
political standards but by theil
merit and efficiency alone. AS you
our State employees, and all other.
familiar with our State government
well know, those holding State posi-.
tions are free to vote, or not, a!
they wish and for the candidates O.
their choice. without fear of politi.
cal reprisal of any sort"
Mr.. Hutchinson, meanwhile, sale
that Senator Byrd's radio addres.
charging AFL President William
Green with ordering Virginia unior
members to vote against him wa!
"a desperate attempt to avoid dis.
cussion of his record on many vita
questions affecting the farmers, the
veterans and consumers in general.
1T is quite evident that the Sena.
tor would have the voters of Vir.
glnia believe that there is but on,
issue in this campaign" Mr.. Hutch.
inson said in a prepared statement
This in my opinion is an unwar
ranted assumption on the part O
the Senator and a reflection upor
the intelligence of the Virginis
people"
Labor Leader Assails Byrd.
Meanwhile, taking direct issue
with Senator Byrd in regard tt
outsiders coming into Virginia
and interfering" in the forthcom.
ing primary, J. S. Smith of Hamp.
ton, president of the Virginia Stat,
Federation of Labor, said Senator
Byrd's record is 80 per cent unfavor
able to the laboring man.
Mr.. Smith charged that Senate,
Byrd had opposed most measures il
Congress designed to help the work
ing man. He also fatty denied tha
the AFL ordered" its members tt
vote for any one. General them,
of Mr.. Smiths statement was tina
labor presents the facts and leave
| 1t up to the members to do thei
own voting.
Mr.. Smith made the statement il
answering Senator Byrd's previou
attack on Mr.. Green, John L. Lewis
UNIV head. and Caesar Petrillo
head Of the AIM.