Evening star., 1951-07-27
School Issue
Big Factor in
Loudoun Vote
Dispute RevoIves
Around Loon to Erect
Consolidated Building
By Alex R. Preston
Stor Stoff Correspondent


LEESBURG, Va, July 27.-Al
but one of the contests in Loudour
County's Democratic primary are
involved in a school dispute.
The score to be settled on Aug
ust Z is whether voters approve
action taken to borrow money
from the State to build a consoli-
dated high school just outside OF
town.
Central figure in the controversy
is, E. o. Russell, who has held the
Office of clerk of the court since
1929. Mr.. Russell became involved
when Circuit Judge j. R. H. Alex
ander appointed him tie breaker
in 1948.
In Virginia, a tie breaker is ap-
pointed when the local board of
supervisors has an even number
of members. He votes only when
the supervisors are deadlocked by
a tie vote. Loudoun County has
six supervisors.
Opposed by Martz.
Mr.. Russell has the backing of
the faction headed by Howard c..
Rogers, which favors a consoli-
dated school. Mr.. Rogers is the
9th Congressional District member
of the State Highway Commission
and former member of the House
of Delegates.
Opposing Mr.. Russell for renom-
ination is Joseph H. Martz of
Round Hill, who left his job in the
county treasurer's Office to make
the race. Mr.. MartZ is backed by
an older, more conservative ele-
ment within the party, whose lead
er is H. C. Thompson, a member
of the Board of Supervisors from
Round Hill.
Mr.. Thompson, who is opposed
for denomination from Jefferson
district. has been defeated twice
for the House of Delegates by Mr..
Rogers, and he lost the State SEN
ate nomination eight years ago to
Robert Y. Button of Culpeper.
Opposing Mr.. Thompson now is
Mrs. Lucille L. PreSgraves of
Webbs Corner, who is making an
active drive.
Other contests where the school
is an issue are these for the Board
of Supervisors:
In LeeSburg district, B. w. Nc
KINNEY. farmer, opposed for re-
nomination by John w. Carr, also
a farmer. This promises to be q
close race.
Another Narrow Race.
Another narrow margin is ex-
pected in Mount Gilead district,
where Supervisor j. T. Hirst, a
dairyman and lumber dealer, is
opposed by Charles R. Hope, also
a dairy farmer. Both are of Pur-
cellville.
In Mercer District, D. C. Sands,
Middleburg farmer, is opposed for
denomination by o. j. Beavers,
also a farmer of Middleburg.
Supervisor j. Emory Kirk
patrick, dairy farmer, has as an
opponent, Edward P. Pollen, an
employe of the Fede4 al Govern
ment in Broad Run District. Both
live at Ashburn.
The sixth supervisors seat is
held by Chairman Irvey w.
Baker, Republican, of Lovettsville,
against whom the Democrats will
offer no opponent.
The only contested Office not in
volved in the school question is
that of sheriff. Three candidates
seek the office vacated recently by
Sheriff S. P. Alexander, who took
a job in Africa and whose place
was filled by Carroll Hutchinson.
Mr.. Hutchinson does not seek
election to the post, however.
Candidates for sheriff are Wal
ton R. Safer, former game warden
and formerly a, weight inspector
for the State Highway Depart
ment; Roger T. Powell, a deputy
sheriff, who formerly was a town
sergeant at The Plains and John
A. Hef1in, also a former State
game warden.
School Sought Since 1947.
A consolidated high school has
been sought by the School Board
since 1947. This is how more
recent developments projected the
issue into the present primary
races:
About year ago, the super
visors turned down a School Board
request for a State literary fund
loan of 100000 to supplement
about 100000 expected as State
grant to erect a central high
school.
There was a wide difference of
opinion among residents as to
whether the high school depart
ments in four existing schools
should be abolished so those
schools could be devoted entirely
to elementary classes, as proposed
by School Supt. o. L. limerick.
In general, the older, more con-
servative element favor the pres
ent setup, while younger citizens
who have small children in schools
think more lower grade classroom
space is needed.
Mr.. limerick says the new high
school, a half-mile outside of
Leesburg on Dry Mill road, is
the best location because town
water and sewer facilities are
available and because the site is
near the center of the county.
High school departments would
be abolished in schools at Aldie,
Leesburgh, Lovettsville and Lin
coin.
Petition Signed.
In Leesburg Magisterial Dis
trict, a petition bearing the names
of nearly 800 residents was pre-
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