Evening star., 1948-10-18
Democrats Seen
Like|ytoWinin
PriinceWiIIianl
6. O.P. Doesn't Claim
County, But Expects
Dewey to Garry State
(This Is one OF q series on the
political outlook In Northern Viz
ginia.)
By Alex R. Preston

By Alex R. Preston
Stor sfeff Correspondent
MANASSAS, Va, Oct. 18.-Even
he Republicans don't claim Gov.
Dewey will carry Prince william
County.
When Virginia voted for Hoover
n 1928, this county-the scene OF the
First and Second Battles of the
Manassas-gave Al Smith II votes
more than it gave the Republican
1ominee. One sage observed then:
I'VE stopped them at Bull Run
before and we stopped them again."
w. E. Trusler, chairman of the
Prince William County Republican
Committee, is afraid Gov. Thurmond
will carry this area two weeks hence.
The last time Gov. Dewey ran in
1914, Prince William gave him 1853
against 1910 for President Roose-
welt.
Expect to Garry State.
But other areas of the State will
give the New Yorker enough votes
for him to carry Virginia, the COP
chairman is convinced.
The preponderance Of thought here
is that the Democrats-President
Truman included-will carry the
county. At rally for Representa-
tive Smith here recently, one town
official expressed it this way:
I'VE participated in the National
convention. If I'm an outfielder on
a ball team and don't like the way
the pitcher throws, I'm not going to
try to strike out the next time I'm
at bat"
1t was at the same rally that
Representative Smith said I intend
to support the Democratic Party in
November" but like nearly every
other Byrd organization candidate
for Office who has thus committed
himself, he made this significant ad-
dition:
Every voter is privileged TO vote
as his conscience dictates. I have
no criticism of the position of others
who may take different view"
One Paper Backs Truman.
Thus, he ran no chance of alienat,
ing the affections of the States
the amount of Thur.
mond sentiment here is hard to de.
termlne, although all sides ac-
knowledge that it does exist.
There are two newspapers pub.
lished in the county and only one
has advocated loyalty to the Ma.
tional Democratic ticket. Tho
Manassas Journal, edited by w,
Marshall johnson, is for Truman,
Senator Robertson and Representa-
tive Smith but pleads for a strong
tWo-party system. ....,......ss.
The other paper has not editorial.
Ily expressed sitself although It was
friendly to Representative Smith
and Senator Robertson in the pri-
mary. 1t is published by Benjamin
Muse, World War II leutenant
colonel. In the past, Col. Muse was
a Republican State Senator from
Petersburg, headed the State Lam
don-for-President Club and was q
COP. candidate for Governor. He
dropped out of active politics when
ne came here a half dozen years
ago to run the paper and job print
ing Office.
Although Mr. Trusler gives Tyrrell
Krum, Republican, the edge to carry
the county against Representative
Smith, the Democrats will not con-
cede this. The only conclusion
that can be reached after talking
with all sides, however, is that the
House contest probably will be tbs
closest-even more so than the
three-way presidential race.
Krum IS Strong Opponent.
One reason for this is that Mr..
krum has waged an active cam.
paign and probably will be the
strongest opponent Representative
Smith has ever had to face. MIR.
Smith. for the most part, is relying
on strategy that has successively re.
elected him since 1880.
This consists of rallies" such as
was held at the courthouse here a
little more than a week ago. Many
but not all-of the leading DEM
ocratic figures were there to receive
the word. It was an invitation
affair.
BY contrast, Mr.. Krum darts from
his Falls Church headquarters to
avail himself of every public gather
ing where he can make a favorable
showing. For instance. last Thurs
day he showed up at a church auc-
ton sale at Nokesville in this coun.
ty. About 1000 people were there.
But Mr.. Smith wasn't.
The County Democratic Commit
tee, headed by c. c. Cloe, Quantico
bank president. has been Just as
quiet as the Republicans. Maybe
its because the Democrats think the
election is in the bag. But Mr..
Trusler offers a reason for Republic
can inactivity.
People Are Quiet.
Things look good for us In the
State. There's no use OF us doing
anything TO lose the votes we're
going to get. People are awfully
quiet and that looks good"
He agreed that perhaps this 81.
lence means a lot of Democrats,
who kept quiet in the 1928 election
also, do not want to lose their party
standing in the Gubernatorial pri-
mary next year by tipping their
hands now.
A county ofi1cial who asked not to
be quoted by name, agreed that the
Democrats, with either Mr.. Truman
or Gov. Thurmond, would carry the
county. but said the strongest Re.
publican showing will be in Nokes-
vile district with Dumfries and Oc.
coquan next.
The best available estimate of tlle
vote Is between 1000 and $500.
which would set a record.
And every one agrees to this:
Senator Robertson will have a wider
of victory over Robert H.
Woods, Pearisburg Republican, than
any other candidate on the ballot.
University Park PTA to Meet