Evening star., 1949-07-08
Edwards, Battle
Charges in
Campaign Talks
Governor Candidates
Attack Each Other
Over Tax Issue

U NN HSS~S
Two candidates for the Demo-
cratic nomination for Governor of
Virginia last night hurled charges
at each other on the issue of tax
alton.
Speaking in Alexandria, Horace
H. Edwards. former Mayor of
Richmond, said one of his three
opponents, State Senator John S.
Battle of Charlottesville, "has lent
his leadership to two surprise raids
upon the pocketbooks of you Vir-
ginians at cost of $40, 300, 900 per
year in new taxes"
In Richmond, Senator Battle &C
cused Mr.. Edwards of being a
high tax man" who continually
shifts from his original sales tax
proposal.
Both took to the air to make
their appeals for support. Mr.
Edwards, who was chairman OF
the State Democratic Committee
until he resigned last year, spoke
at George Washington High
School and was broadcast over a
Washington and several Virginia
radio stations. Senator Battle
spoke from Richmond over a
chain of other Virginia stations.
Edwards Defines Issue.
The two other Democratic can
didates in the August 2 primary
are Francis Pickens Miller of
Albemarle County and Remmie L.
Arnold, Petersburg pen manufac-
turer.
Mr.. Edwards said the issue of
the campaign "is how we may
finance our many needs without
plunging the counties, cities and
towns of this State into debt and
how we may finance these des-
perate needs without piling up
more taxes on the present sub
jects of taxation"
Describing taxes to about 200
persons in the high school audi
torium as "the lifeblood of our
democracy" Mr.. Edwards added
that lifeblood is thinning, and
to ignore the true situation is
to refuse a dying man plasma.
The time has come when Virginia
" must have a TRANSMISSION
revision of our tax structure" :"
In two sessions of the General
Assembly," Mr.. Edwards con-
tinued. he Senator Battle) has
served as chairman of the Senate
Finance Committee and he has
lent his leadership to two SUR
prise raids upon the pocketbooks
of you Virginians at a cost to you
Of $40. 800, 900 per year in new
taxes.
"You merchants should know
he raised your license tax by 81
per cent. You motorists should
know-your gasoline taxes were
raised by 20 per cent. You indi-
viduals should know, too, because
your taxes were raised up to 662s
per cent"
Attacks Promises.
He commented that there
seems to Ee no end of his prom
ises, including half-hearted and
evasive promise not to raise your
taxes"
Several times, Senator Battle
has called on the other candidates
to state their positions on Vir-
ginia labor legislation enacted
during the present administration
of Gov. Tuck.
Mr.. Edwards accused the
Senator of trying to make labor
an issue.
Every one comedies that every
man has a right to work." he
said. That is fundamental. OF
course utilities must be kept run
ming. OF course none of us will
stand for mass picketing If it en-
dangers the life and peace of our
citizens. No one denies these
fundamentals even if Mr.. Battle
does harp upon them"
Senator Battle, meanwhile, was
telling his listeners that "Mr.
Edwards is simply high tax man.
His record shows his philosophy
of government appears to be
that of high taxation and free
spending"