Evening star., 1949-07-23
Arnold Charges
Fenwick Urged
Him toQuit Race
Stote Senator Denies
Candidates Claim
Offer Was Made
By John V. Homer

BY John V. Homer
Remmie L. Arnold. one of four
candidates for Governor of Vir-
ginia in the Democratic primary
August 2, declared last night that
State Senator Charles r. Fen
wick of Arlington tried to induce
him to withdraw from the race on
promise of support for the office
of lieutenant governor.
This was stoutly denied by Sen
ator Fenwick who accused Mr.
Arnold of failing to tell the COM
plete story.
Mr.. Arnold spoke to a group of
rs persons at the Cameron street
USO building, Alexandria. His
remark about Senator Fenwick
was a follow-up to a recent charge
that highly placed members Of the
State organization Offered" him
either the lieutenant governor
ship or Senator Byrd's seat in the
Senate-in 1952-if he'd quit the
primary contest.
The candidate asserted he was
in the race to stay" and would
not succumb to organization pres
sure for withdrawal. He told the
audience in a speech that was
broadcast that Mr. Fenwick went
to Petersburg for the purpose of
persuading him to withdraw. The
Senator is a member of the Or
ganization.
Support for Battle Asked.
II asked him why he wanted
me to quit" said Mr.. Arnold. He
said: Wed like for you to sup
port Mr.. Battle and we want you
to run for lieutenant governor
Then he named the men who he
said would support me-"
Il am afraid that Mr.. Arnold is
twisting the facts to suit his own
political ends" Senator Fenwick
declared when asked for comment.
What Mr.. Arnold fails to tell
the public is that it was he who
originally came to me and asked
for support.
Before Mr.. Arnold announced
his intention to run he asked me
to see him. I saw him in Alexan-
dria and he told me of his plans
to run for Governor and asked me
if I would run for lieutenant
governor on a ticket with him.
I told him that if I did not run,
was already committed to Senator
Battle. I promised to let him know
when reached decision"
Tells of Petersburg Meeting.
This was last fall" Senator
Fenwick said. In the spring, about
a week before he publicly an
nounced that ne would not be a
candidate for lieutenant governor,
Senator Fanwick saw Mr.. Arnold
in Petersburg TO inform him of
his decision.
Il repeated then that I would
support Senator Battle for Cover
nor" Senator Fenwick said.
Mr.. Arnold then inquired about
what type of support he could ex-
pect from the Arlington legislator
if he withdrew from the race and
filed for lieutenant governor, Sem
ator Fenwick asserted.
-"I assured him." Senator Fen
wick said, that he could expect
none but my own if he ran for
lieutenant governor.
Byrd Asks for Names.
When Mr.. Arnold made his or
iginal accusation last week, Sena-
tor Byrd suggested that he name
the people who assured him the
Senate seat. About the same time,
Mr.. Arnold's campaign manager
Robert Hazelwood, said no spe-
cific offer" was made. Mr.. Arnold
did not mention the Senate offer
last night.
Mr.. Arnold is running for the
party nomination against State
Senator John Battle, organization
candidate; Francis Pickens Miller
the anti-organization favorite, and
Horace H. Edwards, former Mayor
of Richmond.
He told the Alexandria audience
that he should be nominated and
elected Governor because he is a
businessman. a farmer, expert
.nced In public administration at
Petersburg and. as one who worked
his way up the ladder to success
familiar with the problems and
needs of labor.
Release of Funds Assailed.
Attacking the Byrd machine"
in addresses at Leesburg, Francis
Pickens Miller, self -avowed anti
organization" candidate. issued a
statement saying Gov. Tuck's re-
cent releasing of $8.536,22O to
State hospitals and colleges has
all the earmarks of a political
slush fund coming as it does on
the eve of this campaign"
And he reiterated his stand
that the "only real issue in the
campaign is the Byrd machine
which has controlled Virginia fol
more than a generation"
Mr.. Miller also charged that
the State Department of Agricul-
ture had been remiss in its duties
to the farmers of the State.
To Horace H. Edwards in an
address at Wise, the campaign
last night represented his effort
Ito keep bonded debt off the
farmers of Virginia
Mr.. Edwards said the farmers
and homeowners" of Virginia were