Evening star., 1950-04-25
Smith Surprised
AtMrs. MiIIer's
Virginia Congressman
Refuses to Comment
On Her Attack

Representative Smith. Demo-
crat. Of Virginia. today expressed
surprise that Mrs. Helen Hill Mil
Ter. of Charlottesville. will not op-
pose him for the House from the
9th Congressional District.
The veteran legislator refused,
however. to comment on the at
tack leveled at him by Mrs. Miller
in a statement announcing that
she had decided against making
the race.
On the 9Th districts Republican
front. Tyrrell Krum paid his $3.50
filing fee to enter the primary and
said he expected to file his quali-
Tying papers in the next few days
with the district Republican chair
man. The Fairfax County Repub-
lican opposed Mr.. Smith In the
l948 general election.
Two incumbent Representatives
paid their Democratic primary Al
ing fees yesterday. and one OF
them filed the necessary qualifying
papers. The latter was Represent
ative Gray Of the Sd district.
Hardy Sends in Fee.
Representative Hardy Of the I'd
district sent in his fee. but. the
State Board Of Elections said it
had not received any copies OF
his qualifying papers.
The first districts special elec-
tion campaign. pointing to next
Tuesdays voting to pick q sue
cessor to the late Representative
S. Otis Bland. will swing into
high gear tomorrow night when
three Of the four candidates take
in forum at Newport News.
Appearing on the program will
be Democrats William A. Wright
and Blake T. Newton and Repub-
ican Nile Straughan. Democrat
E. j. Robson, jr., will not be
present.
Mr.. Wright picked up some
backing yesterday in the form OF
active declarations of support
from Delegate John Warren
Cooke of Mathews. and former
Delegate w. Collin Chiffon OF
Lancaster County.
Mrs. Miller. a member of the
washington Bureau staff OF the
London Economist, is the wife of
Francis Pickens Miller, leader of
the anti-Byrd Democratic faction
N Virginia. Mr.. Miller ran second
in a field Of four candidates last
year for the nomination for Gov.
ernor.
Identified With Byrd.
Representative Smith, one of
the more conservative members Of
the House. 10 closely identified
with the Byrd organization.
Mrs. Miller said she gave serious
consideration to running for the
House nomination In the August 1
primary.
Il felt impelled to consider the
possibilities of providing Mr..
Smith with some Democratic COM
petition" she said after criticizinR
his voting record, but have
found it impossible to make the
race"
Asked to comment, Mr.. Smith
said:
Since she is not a candidate, I
see no reason to comment on her
statement. I am rather surprised,
however, that she won't be-"
Cites Voting Record.
Although majority of 9th Dis
trict citizens are Democrats, Mrs,
Miller said, Representative Smith
votes with the Republican House
members much more often than
he votes with Democrats" She
added: 1T has been my great
hope, and will remain so until the
close of the filing period on May
2, that this spring candidate will
offer against Mr.. Howard Smith
who would be more representa-
tive than he is of majority Of the
people.
Likewise. it is my conviction
that the women Of Virginia should,
and increasingly will, take an In
part in politics"
Representative Smith said he
has paid his party campaign en-
trance fee and expects to file pa
pers of candidacy this week.
Arthur F. Souther of Arlington,
a lawyer who was defeated in q
contest with Mr.. Smith two years
ago, has indicated he will be q
candidate again.