Evening star., 1946-08-12
Voting Irregularities
Charged in Arlington
Democratic Primary

The Arlington Electoral Board to-
day had before 1t a list of alleged
irregularities in connection with
last Tuesdays Democratic primary,
including the charge that persons
whose names appeared as candi-
dates on official ballots also served
as election officials in two precincts
James D. Franklin, who was an
unsuccessful candidate for election
TO tomorrow nights Democratic
County Convention, declared in
letter to the board that Thomas E.
Edwards, who was successful can
didate, served as an official in the
East Falls Church precinct and
that Mrs. Helen v. Haller. another
successful candidate to the conyen-
tion, served as an official Of the
Glen Carlyn precinct.
Mrs. Haller, when asked for COM
ment, admitted that she served as
judge of the election for her pre-
cinct, where she also has been reg
istrar Tor a number of years.
Letter Not Received Yet.
Claude o. Thomas, secretary of
the electoral board, said he had not
received Mr.. Franklin's letter and
would not comment on it.
Mrs. Haller, who received 103 votes
to become one of the four conven-
ton delegates from her precinct and
who defeated two other candidates,
declared:
Mr.. Thomas did not ask me not
to serve. I certainly would not serve
If there was any question in my
mind as to the legality of it. l
served as judge and have served in
this capacity for a number of years
Mr.. Edwards was not at his home
and could not be reached for COM
ment. His wife, however, told The
Star that he had served as an Off
cial, as he has for many years, and
that as far as she knew he had not
been asked not to serve. Mr. Edwards
received 2l3 votes to become one
Of the four delegates from the East
Falls Church precinct. There were
no contests there, however.
To Name Glass Successor.
Arlington political workers at
tach special significance to the cleo
ton of delegates to the county con-
vention because tomorroW's meeting
will, in turn, elect delegates to the
State convention in Richmond, Sep
tember 5, where a candidate is to be
nominated to succeed the late Sena-
tor Glass. These same delegates may
be called upon to elect House cam
didate to succeed Representative
Smith If the latter receives the NOM
ination for the Glass seat. In last
weeks primary, only two 'antiorgan-
ization" candidates were elected to
the a. seats in county convention.
ut has been reported to me by
persons present." Mr. Franklin wrote
the board, that absentee ballots
were placed in the ballot box prior
to the closing of the polls in the
following precincts: Arlington, Clar-
endon No. l, Rosslyn and Virginia
Highlands"
THE ballot box was found to be
unlocked in Lyon Park precinct dur
ing the time of voting" he also
stated.
While no direct evidence of fraud
has come to my attention, you will
readily agree that a continuation of
such practices as those enumerated
above, some ofswhich are not in ac-
cordance with the election laws - =
will create serious suspicious In
Arlington County"
Says Candidates Were Excluded.
Mr.. Franklin also said that some
candidates to the county conven-
ton were not allowed to watch at
the polls after presenting duly exc
cuted credentials" as representatives
Of candidates for the Senate and
the House.
Mr.. Franklin, who actively sup
ported the candidacy of Martin A.
Hutchinson in his unsuccessful bid
for the nomination against Senator
Byrd, asked the Electoral Board for
an opportunity to present all per-
sons who related the incidents to
him. in the event the board de-
sires a hearing.
Maynard Carlisle, chairman of the
board, said he had not received Mr..
Franklins letter and would not COM
ment. He said Mr.. Thomas, as
secretary, usually carries out the
mechanics of election procedure.