Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-06-14
Meeting Selects
Smith and Dean
For Board Race
Mrs. Cannon and
Williams Voted Out
of Arlington Contest

stS SeS0
of Arlington Contest
Mrs. Florence Cannons member
of the Arlington County Board
since 1913 and its chairman since
January, was. out of the race for
reelection today, after two other
candidates were picked to carry
the nonpartisan banner in No
vember's balloting.
T. Oscar Smith, who narrowly
missed election to the county
board four years ago, and Alan
I L. Dean. a comparative new
conner to the Arlington political
scene, were chosen at a town
meeting last night as the nom
partisan candidates for the board
seats of Mrs. Cannon and F..
Freeland Chew. Democrat, whose
terms expire at the years end.
Mr.. Smith and Mr.. Dean were
nominated on the first ballot over
Mrs. Cannon and Harley Will
liams. organizer of the Arlington
Better Government League and a
leader in the nonpartisan move
ment.
Withdrawal Agree .ent.
All four had agreed in advance
to withdraw from the county
board race in favor of the two
nonpartisans nominees chosen at
the town hall meeting. In the
past two years, success ul nom
partisan candidates picked by the
same method were Robert w. Cox
and Daniel A. Dugan.
OF the 346 votes cast, Mr.. Smith
spolled 215; Mr.. Dean, 100; Mrs.
Cannon, 166, and Mr.. Williams,
io2.
! Defeat of Mrs. Cannon was sur
prising. since most observers had
predicted a victory for the woman
who became the county board S
second nonpartisan member in
1913. Her running mate on the
nonpartiSan ticket a. that time
was Mr.. Smith. He narrowly lost
out to the Decorate candidate,
Mr. Chew.
It was the first time, however,
that Mrs. Cannon had partici-
pated in a town hall contest.
When she and Mr.. Smith ran
four year ago, they were selected
by the Better Government League.
The town meeting method of
choosing nonpartisan candidates
was not born until two years
later.
Mrs. Cannon Asks Reelection.
At the outset of the town meet
ing. in the Thomas Jefferson High
School. Mrs. Cannon made it clear
that she was anxious for re-elec-
ton. She told the audience there
was ga lot of unfinished business
that want to see finished" and
pleaded for a vote of confidence
con my past record and my pro-
u dl1l LUZ O1IC 1utUIc.
She confided that, within the
next year or so, she expected to
retire from the Federal Govern
ment and be able to devote full
time to serving the county.
But when the ballot results were
announced, Mrs. Cannon brushed
aside any signs of disappointment
to congratulate the two successful
candidates:
Il want to congratulate the
gentlemen picked by this group.
1t won't handicap me a bit in the
rest of my term, and I promise to
work just as hard for the election
of these men as I would work for
myself"
Affable Rivals.
Until the voting results were
announced. there had been no
signs of excitement. The four
candidates were affable to each
other in their speeches and were
in agreement on most issues.
Sponsors of the meeting did
their best to give it real town
hall atmosphere. It opened with
o. B. Allen rushing down the aisle
ringing a loud bell. During the
intermission, when votes were
being tailed, the audience sang
"Clementine" and "Alouette."
On the way out, members of
the audience paused to sign the
candidacy petitions of Mr.. Smith
and Mr.. Dean, who expect both
Democratic and Republican oppo-
sition.
Democrats did not arrange a
party primary for the County
Board seats, but Wade Pearson
already has announced as a Dem
ocratic candidate. Party leaders
have said nominating conven-
ton or mass meeting may be held
later to indorse or choose two
candidates for the board vacancies.
Republicans are preparing to
hold a meeting later this month
to choose two party nominees.
Chew Race Indicated.
Mr.. Chew also has indicated he
will seek reelection, which would
place him in a contest with Mr..
Smith for the second time.
Mr.. Smith, 40, is attorney-ad-
wiser to the Deputy Attorney Gen.
eral. Justice Department. and
executive secretary and counsel
for the Justice Departments 10y
olfv opd CociI,.itv poardc A ,oe;