Evening star., 1949-07-31
Candidates Wind Up
Bitter, Costly Primary
Campaign in Virginia
By John V. Horner
Stor Stoff Correspondent

1ieSt primary campaign IN meln-
ory to pick their nominee for
governor.
About 300, 900 citizens who have
weighed the issues and the quail
fications of four candidates were
expected TO make the decision at
ballot boxes Tuesday in the 13-
hour period between $50 am.
and 7:30 pm.
At stake is a matter of national
interest as we'll as one of State
concern: Whether Senator Byrd
will retain undisputed leadership
of the dominant Democratic fac
ton he has headed for Is years.
Bitterness which has character
ized the campaign for several
weeks reached a peak today as
the candidates finished their big
drive for votes. So many speakers
hurled so many accusations in the
closing hours and so many en-
tered indignant denials or counter
charges, that the voters could
hardly keep up with what went
on.
Candidates Listed.
In the race are State Senator
John S. Battle, SO. of Charlottes-
vile, the Byrd organization can
didate; Francis Pickens Miller. SO,
of Albemarle County, the anti
Byrd candidate; Horace H. Ed
wards, 46, of Richmond. who quit
as Democratic State chairman to
make this race, and Remmie L.
Arnold, SIS. a Petersburg manu-
facturer.
Mixing blows to the very end
each confidently claimed victory
lay ahead. But, if there was one
thing on which the voters agreed
it was that the outcome of this
contest is unpredictable. None
would be surprised if the winners S
margin is only a few thousand
ballots.
In the excitement, the elector-
ate almost overlooked the fact
that the Democratic Party also
has contests for two other high
State Offices in the primary Tues
day. 1t. Gov. L. Preston Collins
of Marion, an organization regu-
lar, Is seeking denomination over
Nick Prillaman of Martinsville
who Is associated with the Miller
anti-organization group.
Also, Attorney General ]. Lind
say Almond, jr., member Of the
organization, is running for re-
nomination against Moss Plum
kett, an anti-organization candi-
date. Both live in Roanoke.
Furthermore, for the first time
in history, the Republicans are
conducting a State primary in an
effort to build up the two-party
system in Virginia. The COP,
however, has only one contest.
Walter johnson, Common
wealth's attorney for Northumber-
land County, is the unopposed Re-
publican aspirant for governor,
and will run against the success
full Democratic candidate in the
November elecLion. Two Repub-
licans are seeking their party's
nomination for lieutenant COVER
nor. They are Berkeley Williams
of Richmon',., and E. Thomas Nc
Guire of Petersburg. There are NO
Republican candidates for attor-
ney general.
Members of the House of Dele
oates also will be chosen this year
lii the Democratic prim ary, how
ever, the only contest of wide
spread interest involves the New
port News seat held by Speaker
G. Alvin Massenburg, the present
Democratic State chairman. Mr.
Massenburg is in a tight three
way contest for denomination.
Labor Issue Discussed.
Mr.. Battle and Mr.. Miller crossed
swords on the labor issue again
yesterday.
Mr.. Miller denounced a union
officials affidavit. produced by Mr.
Battle and intended to link Mr.
Miller's candidacy with Outside
labor interests" as "a tissue OF
lies"
And Mr.. Battle. in a sharp re-
joinder, made it plain that he
would put the union leaders word
of-honor against Mr.. Miller's any
day of the week.
Meantime, from Alexandria
came q renewed charge-from q
Battle supporter-that Outside
labor leaders" were. indeed. trying
to influence Virginia voters tt
vote for Miller.
State Senator Andrew w. Clarke
came up with a letter from the
United Brotherhood of Carpenters
Indianapolis, Ind, which, he said
urged all union carpenters in Vir-
ginia to vote against Mr.. Battle
and for Mr.. Miller.
Interference Charged.
This, said Mr.. Clarke, was "a
clear case of outside interference
such as Mr.. Battle has charged.
The affidavit which Mr.. Miller
tore into was issued for Mr.. Bat
ties use Friday by Frank Nesbitt
a Front Royal official of the Tex.
tile Workers Union of America
Mr.. Nesbitt charged that Mr.. Mil.
Ter described Virginla's public util-
tiles labor relations law as "a very
vicious act" when he attended 6
meeting of CIO-PAC in Richmond
February 10. And, he added, Mr.
Miller indicated at that meeting
that he would welcome" CIO sup
port in the race for governor-but
that he wanted such support tt
be well concealed.
Mr.. Miller's answering state.
ment yesterday said Mr.. Battle
also attended the CIO-PAC meet