Evening star., 1949-07-14
VirginiaPrimary
In Uproar Over
Arnold Charges
Candidate Says Byrd
Organization Tried to
Buy Him Out Of Race
By John V. Homer
Stnr Stnff Corresoondent

14.-Remmie L. Arnold's charge
that the Byrd organization has
attempted to buy him out Of the
race for Governor of Virginia to-
day had the Democratic primary
campaign in an uproar.
Mr.. Arnold declared here last
night that the machine" is so
concerned about nominating State
Senator John S. Battle in the Au-
gust 2 primary that it offered to
make him Lieutenant Governor or
even put him in the United States
Senate if he would Quit the pri-
mary campaign now under way.
Mr.. Arnold made this charge
before $50 persons at James Mon
roe High School, in the presence
of two other candidates for the
Democratic nomination for Gov
ernor. A fourth aspirant in the
heated contest was represented
at the political forum by spokes-
man.
Cant Stack Me Up"
The pressure of the organiza-
tion is so great" Mr.. Arnold as
serted, that they told me: We
will make you Lieutenant Cover
nor, we will make you-in 1852
United States Senator because
Senator Byrd is going to retire.
But they can't stack me up. I
am not going to get out Of this
race. I'm going to stay in it to
be elected"
Questioned by reporters for de-
tails of this accusation. Mr.. Arnold
said the approach was made by a
group of about eight influential
members of the organization" He
also stated during the interview
that State Treasurer Jesse w. Dill
Ion and two members of the Gen.
eral Assembly told him he would
be. a hero" to quit the primary
contest so his support could go to
Senator Battle.
Gould Be a Hero"
Mr.. Arnold, a Petersburg man
ufacturer, said the proposition was
submitted through his State cam
paign manager. Robert Hazelwood.
from whom reporters could obtain
specific names and other informa-
ton.
From his home at Toana, Mr..
Hazelwood discussed the charge
in general terms. He said that
during meeting at the Common
wealth Club. Richmond, a group
of about eight men. very close to
the Byrd organization and having
a lot of influence" offered more
or less of an idea" that Mr.. Arnold
would draw and could be hero
by pulling out" Mr.. Hazelwood
said there was no definite offer"
but that the people involved
would have carried this to the
right person"
Treasurer Dillon. the only person
named by Mr.. Arnold. entered an
immediate denial of the statement
concerning him.
Il have never talked to Mr..
Arnold about withdrawing" he
told The Star. Il had lunch with
Mr.. Arnold and several other peo-
pie in Rocky Mount the day of a
political rally there. Somebody
made a remark that Arnold was
taking away votes from other can
didates and I said I thought he
was, too.
Miller, Edwards Present.
Il have never mentioned to him
anything about Lieutenant Gov
ernor. I have never mentioned
anything to him about United
States Senate. I have never said
he would be hero to withdraw.
No part Of his statement mention
ing me has one iota of truth"
Other candidates on the plat
form with Mr.. Arnold were Francis
Pickens Miller and Horace II.
Edwards. Senator Battle was rep
resented at the Virginia Chamber
OF Commences political forum by
Gordon M. Amber. a former
Mayor Of Richmond and a former
member of the State Senate.
All reiterated previously ex.
pressed views. Mr.. Miller re-
peated that the big issue this
year is the Byrd machine. MIR.
Edwards said a sales tax should
be levied to provide money for
schools. Mr.. Arnold contended
the State needs a businessman
for Governor. Mr.. Amber urged
votes for Senator Battle because
OF his long legislative experience
and record.
Most Perplexing Campaign.
Mr.. Arnold's charge about State
organization pressure came at the
same time that Henry A. Wise.
a Republican leader of former
years. called upon Republicans to
enter the Democratic primary in
support of Senator Battle.
This novel appeal added fresh
complications to Virginia's most
perplexing campaign in years.
For the first time in history the
Party is holding its
own primary to nominate State
officers.
Heretofore many Virginians
have voted in State Democratic
primaries and have cast Repub-
lican ballots in the national elec-
tions. Many persons believe that
the current contest for the guber-
nomination is so close
that its outcome may be affected
BY the number who refrain from
voting August 2 because they are
to make a party COM
mitment in the primary.