Evening star., 1949-07-19
Byrd Machine
Is Real Issue,
Miller Claims
Candidate Denies
Bottles S New Charges
Of Labor Domination
By John V. Homer
Star Stoff Correspondent

RICHMOND, July 10. - The
three leading Democratic candl-
dates for Governor of Virginia to-
day entered the last two weeks OF
their spirited primary campaign
each insisting the others are
wrong about the issues to be set
tied August 2.
State Senator John S. Battle,
who has the backing of the expert
enced Byrd organization, moved
across State from the tobacco belt
to Gloucester and Newport News.
renewing charges that labor
''czars'' outside Virginia are trying
to gain control at Richmond by
nominating and electing Francis
Pickens Miller.
Mr.. Miller is sponsored by the
anti-organization bloc of which
Martin Hutchinson and Delegate
Robert Whitehead are the leaders
Campaigning near Fredericksburg
he told a Stafford County gather
ing yesterday that the real issue
before voters is not labor. but per-
petuation of the Byrd machine y
Edwards Urges Sales Tax.
Former Mayor Horace H. Ed
wards of Richmond, the third
principal contender to succeed
Gov. Tuck, rebuked both other
candidates for failing to discuss
more fully the practical financing
of an emergency school construc-
ton program. He proposed to pay
for the buildings by enacting a 2
per cent tax on retail sales.
Remmie L. Arnold, a fourth
candidate, took a breather from
politics. He was spending four
days in Chicago at con-
vention Of Shriners, who are ex-
pected to make him imperial po-
tentate in 1858.
Mr.. Miller interrupted his
speech making to issue state
ment in reply to Senator Battles
proof" that James C. Petrillo is
among those behind the Miller
candidacy.
Mr. Miller challenged Senator
Battle Saturday to name powerful
labor leaders outside Virginia who
are working for him. On Sunday
Mr.. Battle released the text of a
letter he said was signed by Mr..
Petrillo. head of the American
Federation of Musicians. urging
Miller support.
Can't Control Petrill0.
In rebuttal Mr.. Miller said he
has had no contact with Mr.. Pc
trillo and that he heartily dis
approves of any effort by him or
any other individual outside Vir-
ginia to influence the vote in this
primary"
AT the same time" the state
ment added, "as Mr.. Battle must
know. there is no way on earth
1 can control the actions Of Mr..
Petrillo or any other individual
outside or inside Virginia.
While the public mulled over the
question of outside" influences,
the Democratic National Commit
tee in Washington made clear that
1t is taking no part in the Vir-
ginia contest. Executive Vice
Chairman William M. Boyle stated
emphatically the committee re-
CARDS the race as a purely local
issue to be decided by the Demo-
cratic voters of the State.
Battle Speaks Tonight.
Senator Battle, who will cam
paign in Arlington and Alexandria
tomorrow and Thursday, was ex-
pected to have more to say on the
labor question in radio address
tonight. Yesterday in Charlotte
Halifax and Pittsylvania Counties
he declared the school building
emergency can be solved quickest
by his plan to use surplus State
funds.
But a fellow member of the
Senate, L. U. Noland of Newport
EeWs. asserted that Mr.. Battle
knows" there isn't enough money
on hand to do "one- third of the
things" he has proposed.
Speaking in behalf of Candidate
Edwards. Mr.. holland contended
the quickest and best way to raise
the necessary funds is through a
sales tax. He said the candidates,
other than Mr.. Edwards, are doing
little more than throwing mud.
In Fredericksburg, c. O'Conor
Goolrick announced that while he
had resigned from the local COM
mittee for Senator Battle, he con-
siders him the best qualified of
the candidates to successfully ad-
minister the affairs of this State"
Mr.. Goolrick said he had made
the statement to correct erroneous
reports that he had withdrawn his
support. The committee resigna-
ton, he said, was for purely per-
SOnal roo capc