Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-06-14
Ba||oting Light
In Church
And Alexandra
Threat to Contest
Election Raised by
Fairfax County Bloc
picture on Page A-2.J

A threat to contest all ballots
cast in the Falls Church municipal
election developed today as voters
went to the polls to select nine
City Councilmen.
Prediction campaigning in
volved charges that a faction SYM
pathetic to Fairfax County inter-
ests is trying to gain control of the
municipal government and there
by stave off any plans the city
may have for annexing county
territory.
Sources identified with the
county faction, but who refused to
be quoted by name, indicated to-
day they would contest the cleo
ton if results were unfavorable to
their side.
Not many voters turned out this
morning in Falls Church but the
tempo was moderate in Alexan-
dria which, along with other
Virginia municipalities. is holding
an election for Mayor and the
City Council. Polls in Falls Church
will close at 1880 pm. and in
Alexandria at $3.50 pm.
Ballot Form Questioned.
Alexandria election officials pre-
dicted that the turnout there may
set a record for general council
election where no State Offices are
involved.
The question has been raised
whether lines and boxes provided
on the Falls Church ballots for
write-in votes are legal. L. N.
Davis, secretary of the State Elec-
toral Board, said he would inves-
tigate the reports Immediately,
but did not know off-hand
whether the Falls Church ballot
form is illegal.
Basis for objection to the ballot
style. it was learned, is that the
spaces for write-in candidates may
tend to encourage write-in votes.
Walter Mess, chairman OF the
Falls Church Electoral Board, said
no one had raised the question to
him. He added that every pre-
caution had been taken in pre-
pairing the ballots to make sure
they conform to the law.
First Tw0-Party Contest.
I'm both Falls Church and Alex
andria voting was expected to in
crease in tempo after Government
workers in Washington leave their
offices this afternoon. In Alex
andria, officials said no one would
be permitted to vote after the
closing hour, even though he is
standing in line at the polls.
Alexandria, where seven coun-
Gil seats are being filled, was ex-
periencing it's first two-party con-
test with two Republican candi-
dates opposing a slate OF seven
Democrats. Three Independents
also are in the race.
The candidate receiving the
greatest number of votes auto
matically becomes mayor. The
incumbent, William T. wilkins,
was not renominated in the pri-
mary. The seven successful as
pirants will take office in Sep
TENDER for three-year terms. The
new council will be the first chos-
en- under the at-large form OF
government adopted by a refer
endum last year.
In Falls Church, nine member
council will be chosen from l;
candidates, Mayor Albert M
Orme is unopposed for reelection
Although the present council
and mayor were elected only 6
year ago, Virginia law requires
another election because thu
municipality advanced to tht
status of a second-class city II
August.
Voting by Wards.
Voting in Falls Church is by
wards. with residents casting bal.
lots for only those candidates from
their wards. Councilmen will
draw lots to determine the length
of their terms, -Four will serve
for four years and four for two
years. Those eight will determine
the tenure of the ninth-member
Alexandria candidates are Leroy
S. Bendheim, Marshall Beverly
Roy c. Bragg. Albert A. Smoot
and r. Samuel Luckett, incum-
bents, and Franklin P. Backus
and James M. Duncan. jr.. all
Democrats; Nathan j. Paulsor
and Clyde j. Verkerke, both Re-
publicans; F. Clinton Knight
Edwin Barrett and L. B. Mayer
Independents.
Fall Church aspirants who beal
no party label. are:
Ward Sherman Wells, in
cumbent; D. Kemper Grille and
James c. Durant, a former coun-
Gilman.
Ward 2J. H. Mccarthy, in
cumbent. and Samuel j. Dennis,
now serving under an appoint
ment; Mrs. Jenness Writ Myers,
Albert K. Hovey-King and Joseph
H. Mari.
Ward 3-Lee M. Rhoads, John
c. McRae and Boyd A. Case, in
cumbents, and Handley T. Rust
and w. David Brewer.
Incumbents John r. Eakin,
Archie Munson and Mrs. Merrill
Lee Chanel did not file for re-
election.
Forest Heights Mayor
And Council - kAaa%