Evening star., 1947-07-28
Fairfax Primary
May Be Test Of
Organization
Large Turnout Seen
As 3 Campaigns
Stir Interest
(Second of a Series.)
(Second of a Series.)
By Alex R. Preston

most serious test it has faced when
they ballot in the party primary
August 5.
Three campaigns are responsible
for the greatly Increased interest
but the basic issue to be settled Is
county control by the so-called
court house crowd" or by the newer
element"
Chief interest centers in the race
for House of Delegates, sheriff and
the Board of Supervisors.
In the House contest, each of the
two contenders has held the Office
after defeating the other. The
sheriff S race is being followed closely
to determine whether veteran in
cumbent who has kicked over the
traces" of the organization can be
reelected. The supervisors race is
complicated by series of civic
issues.
Big Turnout Expected.
Eestimates of the size of the turn
out vary from 5000 up, and some
predict that it will be greater than
the previous high of 1919 in the
1914 general election.
Walter T. Oliver, secretary of the
County Electoral Board, said he
would not be surprised If the turn
out totalled $500. He has had 13,50C
ballots printed and 10,70O already
have been distributed to poll Off
cials.
The House of Delegates race is be-
tween Edwin w. Lynch, incumbent
and Robert J. McCandlish, his pre-
decessor.
McCandlish first was elected In
1912 in a special election to fill a
vacancy caused by the death OF
Richard R. Farr. Mr.. Farr, a Re-
publican, had defeated Francis Pick
ems Miller, a Democrat seeking re-
election.
In 1943 Mr.. McCanlish defeated
Mr.. Lynch in the primary, 1880 tc
1891. AS soon as the 1914 Genera.
Assembly session adjourned, Mr.. Nc
Candlish Joined the Navy and was
in the service when his name was
placed on the ballot in the 1945
primary. In that contest, Mr.. Lynch
polled 1905 votes to S51 for Mr.. Nc
Candlish.
Mr.. Lynch, a real estate developer
and farmer, inaugurated series OF
town hall" meetings to obtain SEN
timent of voters on issues facing the
General Assembly. He held meet.
ing before, during and Immediately
after the legislative session and said
he will follow the same practice il
reelected.
Mr.. McCandlish. an attorney, de-
c1ared his opponent seeks to take
credit for increased appropriations
for schools from which Fairfax
County has benefited.
McCandlish Vote Cited.
Most people know" Mr.. McCand.
lish said, that Charlie Mccarthy
could have accomplished the same
thing with members of the Legisla-
ture in that frame of mind"
Mr.. Lynch, however, contends Mr.
McCandlish showed his opposition
to higher teacher salaries in 1914
when he voted against one increase
and stated on the floor of the House
that he would have voted against
another measure had it been pre-
sented.
The sheriff's race is divided three
ways between Eppa P. Kirby, veteran
incumbent, John E. Taylor of Falls
Church, and Farmer L. Stubbs of
Dranesville District. 1t has re-
solved itself into a contest between
Mr.. Kirby and Mr.. Taylor, however,
according to most observers.
Support is Withdrawn.
The Democratic organization with
drew its support from Sheriff Kirby,
according to reliable reports, after
he divorced himself, politically,
from the courthouse crowd" more
than year ago.
Both Mr.. Taylor and Sheriff
Kirby have conducted active cam
paigns and have toured the county's
voting districts extensively to pre-
sent personal appeals.
The record of the present Board
of Supervisors has been made an
issue with many of the newer voters
as we'll as some of the older resi-
dents. More votes to oust those
in power are expected from the
highly populated fringe areas
around Falls Church, Arlington,
Alexandria and Vienna, where there
are many citizens who have moved
into the county in recent years.
Fox Is Unopposed.
Candidates for supervisor oppose
each other in five districts, while
Maurice Fox, from Dranesville dis
trict, is the only incumbent without
opposition.
In the Falls Church district,
Burns N. Gibson is retiring and his
seat is being sought by John w.
Brookfleld and C. B. Runyon, while
in Mount Vernon district, Herbert
Blunt is withdrawing and a contest
has developed between Earle L.
Popkins and Arthur I. Shaffer.
Other supervisor contests are be-
tween D. w. Buckley, incumbent,
and John ]. Mclaughlin, Center
vile district; E. C. Sheads, incum-
bent: .. Golden Blincoe and Paul
C. Kincfeloe, Lee district, and G.
Wallace Carper, incumbent, and
Lisle A. Smith, Providence district.
Other candidates seeking nomina-
ton are Louis M. Coyner, incum-
bent, and G. William McGlincy,
for treasurer, and John w. Fergu-
son, incumbent, and Richard M.
Smith, for commissioner of revenue.