Evening star., 1948-07-25
VirgiiniaPrinary
To Test FeeIinq
Against Truman
Race in Sixth District
Watched us Key to
Strength of Foes
kY the Associntsd Prssx

BY the Assoeiaied Press
RICHMOND, Va, July 24.-Some
indication of the Democratic voters
sentiments on the anti-Truman is
sue in Virginia may be forthcoming
In the August primaries.
While there are other factors in
volved that will mean strength for
the candidates, the 9Th district prob
ably will offer proving ground on
how voters in the Democratic ranks
have reacted to Mr.. Trumans civil
rights program.
The 9Th has a three-way race
for the Democratic nomination for
the House. Delegate Ernest Robert
son of Salem announced he couldn't
support the Truman Barley ticket
and would refrain from voting in
the general election. His opponents
are Mayor Clarence Burton of
Lynchburg and Robert W. Menefee
of Roanoke, both of whom have said
they would support the national
ticket.
One Statewide Contest.
Mr.. Robertson Is the only con-
gressional aspirant who has ex-
pressed his fiat opposition to the
national ticket and platform.
The anti-Truman issue will be vir-
tually non-existent in the only
State wide contest-that for the
nomination for Senator. Senator
Robertson came out in midweek with
the announcement he would support
Mr.. Truman and Senator Barkley,
although restating his opposition to
the Federal civil rights program and
other phases of the platform.
The Senator's primary opponent
Is Attorney James P. Hart of Roam
oke. running as an anti-organization
candidate with the just-announced
support of Martin A. Hutcheson,
leader of the minority wing of the
party.
COP Action in Each District.
There are Democratic primary
contests also in the 3rd and 9th dis
tricts In the 3rd, Representative
Gary and his opponent, State Sena-
tor James E. Gardner, both have
signified that they would vote reg
ular" in November.
In the 9th, Representative Smith,
q leader in the dominant wing of
the party. has held his counsel on
his intentions with regard to the
national ticket. He is opposed by
Arthur r. Souther of Arlington who
has expressed strong support of the
party's Philadelphia choices.
The 9th also will have Repub-
Hcan primary with the voters Of
fered q choice between Charles O.
Pratt of Arlington, and Tyrell Krum
Of Vienna.
The COP plans to offer the Demo-
Gratis opposition in every congress
sional district and already in the
9Th, 7th, I'd and 1st districts candi-
dates have been nominated by con-
vention or Executive Committee ac-
ton.
Ewing Versus Worrell.
The COP State chairman, Robert
Woods of Pearisburg, will oppose
the Democratic senatorial choice in
the November election.
In the fighting 9th, the Demo-
Gratis choice to succeed retir-
ing Representative Flanagan is
Thomas B. Fugate of Ewing. The
Republicans in the 9th are offering
Eugene Worrell, Bristol Chamber
of Commerce executive.
Stephen Timberlake, jr., is the Re-
publican opponent of Representative
Harrison of the 7th District and
Walter E. Hoffman, Norfolk Repub-
lican, is opposing Representative
Hardy in the general election in
the End District.
First District Republicans today
nominated Stanley D. Adams of
Colonial Beach to run against
Democratic Representative Bland.
Bland Unopposed In Primary.
The G.. o. P. will name an op-
ponent of the Democratic nominee
In the 9Th District on August 81:
an opponent of Representative
Stanley in the 5th on August 81; an
opponent of Representative Abbitt
In the 4th on Saturday and an op-
ponent of the winner of the Gary
Gardner contest in the Bird on Fri
day
Mr.. Bland. dean of the Virginia
congressional delegation, has no pri-
mary opposition, but he announced
earlier in the week that he sup
ported the stand of Senator Robert
son and would not depart from his
practice Of voting the regular Demo-
cratic ticket.