Evening star., 1947-08-03
1000 Expected
To Vote TUESDAY,
In Arlington
State Senute Contest
Mojor Feature of
Democratic Primary
BY Alex r. Preston

4ucSOdy primary In Arlington is
expected to attract about 1000 DEM
ocrats to the polls with a contest
for the State Senate nomination
occupying the limeIght.
The outcome of this race as well
as those for five other nominations
to State and local posts, will indi-
cate the ability of the Democratic
organization now in control to
maintain leadership established for
many years.
Democrats themselves give vary
Ing predictions of what the results
will be, particularly in a four-way
contest for the two House of Dele
gates seats. Because calin1s from
liberal and progressive elements
contradict those of party organiza-
tion leaders, uncertainty is felt by
adherents of both sides and some
Of the candidates.
Republicans Queried.
With a situation like this existing
It appeared plausible to see what
some responsible Republcans-who
will take no part in the primary
thought about it.
A prominent member Of the COP
had this to say:
"I guess we're going to have to
fight the same old machine in No.
vember."
Without intending political COM
pliment, this remark-echoed by
other Republicans-indicated that
that party's leaders already have
set their sights for November drive
against the following candidates In
Tuesdays primary:
Charles r. Fenwick for the State
Senate; j. Maynard Magruder and
George Damn for the House of Del
egates with Harrison Mann recog-
nized as a formidable contender at
the expense of either Mr. Damn or
Mr.. MagrudeD; Harry K. Green
for Commissioner of Revenue; Den
ham T. Rucker for Commonwealth s
Attorney, and Hugh Reid for Trial
Justice.
Opponents Listed.
Aligned against these candidates
are others who have The active in
dorsement of the Progressive Demo-
Gratis of Arlington. They are:
Frank L. Ball, jr, for State Senate;
Albert A. Carretta for House of
Delegates; James E. Rice, jr., for
commissioner of revenue; Malcolm
D. Miller for Commonwealth at
torney and Clarence E. Hodges for
trial justice.
Both of the Senate candidates are
making a strong appeal for the
veterans support. Mr.. Ball entered
World War II as a private and
emerged major. Mr.. Fenwick en-
listed as a private in the Tank
Corps in World War ! and served In
World War II as a lieutenant colonel.
It is Mr.. Balls first venture into
the field of campaigning for public
Office and his critics contend that
the State Senate is too high a place
to begin in politics.
Fenwick's Record Cited.
Mr.. Fenwick, on the other hand,
has served for three terms in the
House of Delegates from Arlington
and has a legislative record to offer.
He Is a political veteran in other
ways also, having run for Lieutenant
Governor of the State and held ap-
pointments on several State COM
missions and agencies.
Mr.. Fenwick's opponents, however,
contend that Arlington's incumbent
State Senator, william D. Medley,
was forced to withdraw to create
the vacancy. The report persists
despite repeated denials from Sen
ator Medley, the latest of which
was made Friday. 1t Is q known
fact, however, Mr.. Medley has been
considering retirement from the
General Assembly for the last two
or three sessions.
Mann Enters Race.
Just how Mr.. Mann entered the
House of Delegates race Is known
to few but 1t caused a sensation, to
put it mildly. within the organiza-
ton. He is close friend and politi-
cal associate of Mr.. Fenwick and
Mr.. Magruder.
Mr.. Mann has been regarded as a
loyal organization worker and Is a
member of the County Democratic
Committee of which Mr.. Magruder
is chairman and Mr.. Fenwick a
member.
But unlike any other candidate irl
any of the races Mr.. Mann car
count on strong support from the
progressive" element in addition te
considerable organization votes ir
this primary. This is SO because
he was a leader in the movement
earlier this year, to change the
method of electing the school
board, which was approved over
whelmingly, and for school improve
ment bonds, partially approved
Most of the workers supporting the
referendum more recently have
devoted their efforts in behalf o1
the progressive" slate.
Progressives Fight Machine.
Main objective of the progressive
slate is to defeat the Byrd-Smith
machine" Organization leaders have
a ready answer for this, however
They point out that progressive cam
didates. in order to run in this years
primary, had to take an oath that
they voted for the Democratic can
didates last year. And the party
candidates in 1916 included Senator
Byrd and Representative Smith
Therefore, the faction in control
argues, "anti-machine' candidates
supported the very leaders Of the
organization they profess to oppose
Several staunch organization sup
porters admit the Democratic Com
mittee has made errors within the
past year that has left members
wide open for attack.
Mr.. Ball, for instance, points to
last years incident In which he snd
Elwood Clements, now the unop-
posed Democratic candidate for
sheriff, were elected delegates to
the County Democratic Convention
from Ballston Precinct. At the con-
vention to elect delegates to the
State convention in Richmond for
Senator Glass successor, both Mr..
Ball and Mr.. Clements we're passed