Evening star., 1948-10-23
Staunton Like|y
To Settle Race
In 9Th District
Robertson Win Seen;
TimberIoke Hos Edge
Over Harrison
By Alex R. Preston
Stor Stcff Correspondent

By Alex R. Preston
star ssoff Correspondent
6TAUNTON, Va, Oct. 23.-This
city and surrounding Augusta Coun-
ty may determine the outcome OF
one of Virginia's most hotly con-
tested House races.
The Seventh Congressional Dis
tTfct, of which this is part, has
Democratic candidates who appear
to be in both the most favorable
position and the most serious trou-
ble.
Senator Robertson lives in Lex
hgton, which is in the extreme
southern end of the Seventh while
nR Representative Harrison, Democrat
ves in the northern area at Win
EEhester.
T Robertson Win Expected.
M All are agreed that Senator Rob-
E&rtson will come through the No.
$yember election leading all can
%didates on the ballot with the larg-
Sest margin of victory. This is be-
@cause be will accumulate a total
state vote and also because of the
sTruman-T Thurmond-Dewey split on
the presidential ballot.
On the other hand, Representa-
4ive Harrison is in a. critical posi-
sion and his Republican opponent
Stephen D. Timberlake of Staunton
appears to have an edge. Next to
$he Ninth District, where Republic
m prospects also are favorable, the
Seventh has more Republican
@'pockets," or strongholds, than any
other. area.
N Both congressional candidates
are working feverishly from one end
of the district to the other, and
Seach has his program filled from
here on out.
Concede COP Strength.
The Democrats claim Mr.. Harri-
son will be returned to the House,
but they concede the Republican
strength.
Guy Farley. chairman of the
Staunton Democratic Committee,
lists Page, Shenandoah and Rock
ingham Counties as COP strong
holds. Moreover, the city of Har-
risonburg is frequently in the Re
publican column, and Highland
County is a toss up. Furthermore,
Mr.. Timberlake is well connected
through family and friends in
Staunton and the nearby area.
With the exception of Highland
County all are the districts heaviest
voting areas. Also heavy voting, but
conceded to Mr.. Harrison is the
Winchester area.
Mr.. Harrison, former Winches-
ter Corporation Court judge, is ex-
pected to draw nearly as many
Republican votes in the north end
Of the district as Mr.. Timberlake
will down here.
"Close," Says Timberlake.
IT consider it will be a close
race" MIR. Timberlake said. "It is,
of course, an uphill fight for Re-
publican in Virginia, but I believe
that I will win with the vote of
Independents and Democrats, as
well as Republicans who believe that
the best interests of our district can
be served by the election of a Con-
gresham who can work in harmony
with the new administration"
Mr.. Harrison, who also has been
commonwealth's attorney, State
Senator and Judge of the Clarke
County Circuit Court, bases his ap-
peal on the fact that he has had
II years experience in public life,
whereas his opponent "bolted" the
Democratic Party and never has
been active in politics.
Mr.. Timberlake twists the lack
Of political experience to his advan-
tage by claiming he would go to
Washington free and unhampered
by ties to any political faction.
Born Of Democratic Family.
He admits he was born of Demo-
cratic family and was raised in that
party but said he became a Repuba
lican during President Roosevelt's
first term.
There is considerable Thurmond
sentiment here. The two daily
papers, published by the E. Walton
Opie family, have come out for the
States Rights candidate. Gen. Opie
lis close personal friend of Sen
Iator Robertson and nominated the
ESenator at the Richmond conven-
ltion two years ago to fill the un-
Iexpired term of the late Senator
lCarter Glass.
i Mr.. Farley said he was to receive
sample ballots today which would
be marked in behalf of Senator
Robertson and Mr.. Harrison. The
ssquares beside the names of presi-
dental candidates will be unmarked,
ihowever. Republican sample bal
lots, issued at Mr.. Timberlake' S
soffice, are marked all the way down
the ticket, including Robert H.
Woods, State COP chairman who is
sopposing Senator Robertson.
ii Assembly Makeup.
The extent to which Republicans
have remained in power in this dis
iItrict is shown to some extent by
kthe General Assembly makeup from
this section. Harrisonburg now has
Ia Democrat, j. o. Stickley, and a
iRepublican, George w. Taliaferro
in the House of Delegates, and until
1.-TWO years ago the Harrisonburg area
shad Republican State Senator
Jacob A. CARRIER, former member
sof Congress. Shenandoah County
is represented in the House of Dele
gates by William c. Lambert, Re-
publican, of Woodstock.
Although this is the home district
Of Senator Byrd, leader of the
States anti-Truman drive, it also Il
the home Of the man leading at.
tempts to swing the State to Presi-
dent Truman. The pro-Trumar
forces are led by Robert Whitehead
of Nelson County, who is likely tc
swing that couhty's vote to the
President. It is doubtful, however
81 he can win much more support
In this district, which probably viii
vote for Gov. Dewey. State Senator
Curry Carter of Staunton does moi