Evening star., 1948-11-01
**THE EVENING Washington D. c.
yEMH %
Democrats Pin Hopes
On Heavy Balloting in
Virginia, Maryland
By John v. Homer

UIStlngulS0eu ny RCpuUilCdai re.
sargence in normally Democratic
territory and Democratic strife
oyer President Truman's- civil
rights program.
IAN important factor in the out.
come of tomorrow's balloting will be
the size Of the vote. with Democrat,
standing to gain by a large turnout
Party workers therefore kept an eve
on weather reports and the early
forecast was for part cloudiness, with
some rain.
Republican prospects of victory in
Virginia appeared brightest since
1928, and party spokesmen conf
IDENTIFY predicted Gov. Dewey would
win the IL electoral votes there
Thev expected the New Yorker to
benefit from the Democratic split
between Truman regulars and
Jburmond states rights Democrats
In Maryland, eight electoral votes
ere at stake and both major parties
fought for them to the last. Each
predicted victory by sizeable mar
eps.
Polls Favor Dewey In Both States.
Public opinion polls leaned to Gov.
Dewey in both States.
political leaders in both Mary
lshd and Virginia are working to
tyrn out a large vote. Aides at
various campaign headquarters APP
1saled to the electorate by mail
aid telephone. Precinct organiza- :
tiens were ready to provide trans
pertation for citizens who have no
means to reach the voting places.
Representative Sasscer. Democrat,
OF Maryland announced he had
tGegraphed the heads of Federal
government departments. remind
ing them that Government workers
are entitled to time off to vote with
olt penalty. He urged compliance as
sn accommodation to employees who
have legal residences in the SUBJ
urban areas.
Maryland Democrats Solid.
The polls In Maryland will be
open from 7 am. until 7 pm, ex-
cspt In Baltimore; where the hours
are 6 am. to pm. Voting hours
In Virginia are 6 am. to 6 pm.
Maryland,s Democratic organiza-
ti9n is working solidly for PRESIDENT
Humans reelection, but in Vir-
gi1ia the dominant faction headed
BY Senator Byrd has not lifted a
hand for him. Most party leaders
have said they would vote for Mr..
Truman. but indicated they did not
care how the rank and file of Vir-
ginians vote.
This attitude has worked to the
advantage Of the Republican Ma
tional ticket and also may have
bearing on several contests for the
House.
All Incumbents Are Democrats.
All nine of Virginia's incumbent
Representatives are Democrats. Re-
publican candidates are conceded
good chances, however, in three dis
trict races tomorrow. These involve
the I'd Norfolk, 7th Valley and
9th (SouthwesU.
The COP also has hopes OF gain.
ing strengthsin the Maryland House
delegation, where they now are out
numbered, 4 to 2. Their best pros
poets OF replacing a Democrat are
in the Secead District, which is
comprised OF Carroll, Hartford and
Baltimore Counties and a part of
Baltimore City. But to better their
ratio they must re-elect their in
cumbents. and at least one of these
Is in hot water. He is Representa-
tive Miller OF the First Eastern
Shore District. who Is opposed by
s. Scott Beck. tr.
Gov. Thurmond of South Caro-
lima, States Rights candidate. is on
the ballot in Virginia but not in
where supporters filed his
slate of electors after the legal
deadline. Maryland will permit
voters to write in his name and
that of his running mate, Gov.
Wright Of Mississippi. but the num-
Der who do so is expected to be
small
Thurmond May Split Virginia.
Vireinia's vote for Thurmond will
be appreciable. possibly enough to
keep the State from going for
President Truman. The States
Rights movement has the indorse-
rent Of many persons identified
With the Byrd organization.
Henry A. Wallace, Progressive
Is on ballots in both
States. Although he is expected to
receive considerable backing in
populous centers like Baltimore and
the Hampton Roads area, 1t is
doubtful that his overall total will
be high in either State.
Except that Virginia Republicans
sense a State victory, there has been
little to indicate that the voters in
this area are enthusiastic about
either Gov. Dewey or President
Truman. The most fervent activity
has been for Gov. Thurmond,
though in a relatively small group.
Much Interest on Local Issues.
Much more interest has been
aroused in local issues.
In Virginia these include Airing
ton County's vote on a proposed
-. $50 900 bond issue for school con-
a proposal to shift School
Board elections to May, and a con-
test for one seat on the County
Board. III.
In Maryland, one of the most
important local issues is the Mont
somery County referendum on a
proposal to substitute a charter
form of government for the COM
missioner system.
The st. Marys County electorate
Is concerned with a decision on is
suance Of $350,000 worth of school
construction bonds.
Maryland also will have State
wide y0ta IN sevnn pronoSala IN