Evening star., 1949-03-27
Democrats Set
Arlington Board
.PriiInaryA Aug.2
Action by Mann Kills
Independents s'Hopefor
konportison Election

NOHPuttISuH IiSStIOU
The Arlington County Demo-
cratic Party will hold a primary
election August 2 for candidates
to the County Board.
This was revealed yesterday in
a letter from Harrison Mann.
chairman of the party's Execu-
tive Committee, to Mrs. Jean g.
Hanchette, secretary Of the Ar
lington Civic Federation.
The action, which kills hopes
of the Independents for a non-
partisan election in November. re-
jected a federation request for
political parties to refrain from
entering party candidates in the
race.
At the same time, Mr.. Mann
wrote that his committee would
not hold a primary for the School
Board. This also had been asked
by the federation.
THE committee did not con-
slider in any way the holding Of
Ia primary for the School Board"
Mr.. Mann stated, "as the Demo-
cratic Party has consistently taken
the view that the administration
of schools should be kept out Of
politics"
Report Cites Hatch Act Effect.
Almost all of Mr.. Mann's six
page letter was devoted to COM
ments on a report by the fedora
tion's Local Government Commit
tee, which furnished the basis for
the civic groups resolution urging
nonpartisan elections for the two
boards.
The report, according to Mr..
Mann, charged that as a result
of the Hatch Act, Federal en-
ployes in the county are "discrim-
mated against" because they are
forced to run as independents in
County Board races.
It also contended candidates
should be chosen on the basis of
individual qualifications" and
local issues instead of meaning
less party labels" Mr.. Mann said.
Describing the committees
claims as illogical" Mr.. Mann
said nothing prevents Government
employees from voting or holding
Office. He pointed three of the
County Boards five members
either are employed by the Gov.
ernment or work for its legislative
branches.
Recalls Civil Service Action.
He recalled that last year. the
democratic Executive Committee
REQUESTED the Civil Service Com
mission to amend its regulations
so as to permit Government en-
ployes to participate fully in local
political affairs, e
This was strongly opposed.
+ However. Mr.. Mann said, by fed
Grafton officials, including Harley
Williams, chairman of the local
Government Committee.
1T was largely due to this lack
of unanimity that the COM
mission refused to amend its reg
ulations," MI. Mann declared.
1T appears, therefore, that the
pretended great concern of the
Williams committee for the Gov
ernment employees is now slightly
hypocritical, to say the least.
He also noted it has become
fashionable for a certain variety
of intellectuals to say that the
local parties mean nothing"
In condemning any move to
abolish the two-party system, Mr..
Mann argued that one of the
functions of local political par
ties is to train future State and
national officials"
In addition, he said, they set
up and carry out the mechanism
of the election process, provide the
forum for making and clar-
flying issues, offer, encourage and
build up and give, necessary finan-
cial support to candidates, stir up
interest in public affairs. provide
unifying influences lest chaos re-
suit and provide party RESPONSE
bility at the local level"
He said that when the Demo-
cratic Executive Committee held
no primary for the County Board
in 1947, "a loud minority group,
led by Mr.. Williams, which pre-
tends to be a nonpartisan body
but which is actually a political
party at the county level. took
advantage of the situation. held a
convention. nominated candidates
and attempted to take over the
county government"
Recalls Coalition With COP.
The following year, he recalled,
the Better Government League,
which had been founded by Mr..
Williams, entered into a coali-
ton with the Republican Party"
Last January. Mr.. Mann
charged, the league took over all
the Offices in the Civic Fedora
ton and. with the exception Of
one member. the federation's Ex-
ecutive Committee.
This same interlocked little
group" he said, "* is adroitly
attempting to direct the fedora
ton for its own political aims ="
Alexandra Candidates
Invited to Forum