Evening star., 1948-09-26
.ByrdDenocrats
Refuse toBack
Truman Ticket
Virginia Central
Committee Leoves
BoIlot Choice Open
ALABAMA MAY be only State to
bar Truman from ballot. Page "A.
Stor SfaH Correspondent

RICHMOND, Va, Sept. 25.-
The Byrd Democratic organiza-
ton today pointedly refused to
indorse President Truman for
reelection.
Instead. the organization-c con-
trolled Democratic State Central
Committee adopted resolutions
dodging the issue of how party
members shall mark their ballots
for President.
This means that the party may be
so badly split between the Truman
Barkley ticket and the Thurmond-
Wright States Rights ticket that
Virginia's II electoral votes will go
into the Republican column this
year.
In 17-minute session, the COM
mittee ignored demands from Tru-
man supporters to be heard on the
resolutions.
The organization agreed to get
out the full Democratic vote" and to
turn over to State campaign head
quarters $4,000 raised last winter
at Jefferson-Jackson dinner. But
the resolution failed to say for
whom the Democratic votes would
be obtained or for whom the $4,000
would be spent.
Reaction Comes Quickly.
Reaction to the committees stand
was instantaneous. The liberal
anti-Byrd wing, led by Martin A.
Hutchinson of Richmond; Francis
Pickens Miller of Charlottesville
a candidate for Governor next year
and Delegates Robert Whitehead
of Lovingston, denounced the meet
ing as "high-handed" and ''remin-
iscent of the action of the royal
Governors of Virginia in Colonial
times" They said the COMMITTEES
will be held accountable"
Mr.. Whitehead had sought un-
successfully to address the commit
tee to propose an Endorsement Of
all national Democratic nominees
as we'll as Senator Robertson, who
is seeking reelection, and the
States nine Democratic candidates
for the House of Representatives.
Il wish to challenge the chair
man and secretary Of the commit
tee, on behalf of large number OF
citizens. for infringing upon the
right of presenting a petition" Mr..
Whitehead said heatedly.
Among the signers was Henry H.
Fowler Of Alexandria.
Mr.. Massenburg, who is Speaker
of the Virginia House of Delegates,
said that if Delegate Whitehead
presented his proposal through
proper channels" the matter would
be considered by the committee. He
said the proper channel would be
a committee member.
To Open Campaign Offices.
The resolution to get out the vote
was offered by Sidney s. Kellam Of
Princess Anne County.
The resolution disposing of the
$12, 900 campaign fund was offered
by Democratic National Committee
man G. Fred Switzer Of Harrison
burg.
After the meeting, Chairman
Massenburg said he would open
State campaign headquarters in
Richmond "as soon as possible"
Most organization leaders refused
to comment on their Interpretation
of the resolution to get out the
vote. It's sponsor, Mr.. Kellam, de-
clared:
''It means what 1t says"
Truman supporters, on the other
hand, we're certain that 1t means no
assurance of help for the President.
Its like the Powder River in
Montana" said former Delegate
H. M. Sutherland of Dickinson
County. ITS a mile wide and an
inch deep"
Neither Senator Byrd, the organ
ization chief, nor Gov. Tuck was
present. The Governor is en- route
to a meeting in California. Among
those attending was State Senator
Harry Flood Byrd, jr., Of Winches-
ter, but he and most other organ
ization leaders remained silent dur
| ing the meeting