Evening star., 1951-07-18
Nine Contests
Point Up Fight
On Organization
Candidates Seek
Firmer FoothoId
In Miller Areas
By Alex R. Preston
Star Sioff Correspondent

two years ago.
This is indicated, with less thar
three weeks remaining until the
primary. by at least four State
Senate and five House of Dele.
gates contests. Republicans will
not hold primary in the Old
Dominion.
Mr.. Miller. standard-bearer OF
the anti-Byrd wing of the party
ran a close second in four-way
race for Governor in 1949. In
some of the areas where he made
his strongest showing against Gov
Battle are to be found the liveliest
contests between organization
candidates versus former Miller
supporters, labor candidates OF
Independents.
Perhaps the most dramatic
fight Of all is taking place in the
33d Senatorial District between
Democratic State Chairman G.
Alvin Massenburg and Victor p
Wilson. The district embraces the
counties of Elizabeth City and
Warwick and the cities of Hamp-
ton and Newport News.
Sensational Results.
Two years ago Mr.. Massenburg
who enjoyed the additional pres
tige of being Speaker of the House
of Delegates, was defeated by Mr..
Wilson-then an unknown-by a
tally that was nothing short of
sensational. In the general elec-
tion that year. Mr.. Wilson polIed
Abb votes to % for Mr.. Massen-
burg. That was in the House dis
trict made up only of Elizabeth
City County and Hampton.
Mr.. Wilson had managed Mr..
Miller's gubernatorial campaign
in the lower peninsula area. Mr..
Miller carried the House district
by 1881 votes to 1882 for Mr..
Battle. The whole Senatorial Dis
trict, in which Mr.. Wilson and
Mr.. Massenburg are vieing this
year, gave Mr.. Miller 5,796 votes
to 3.487 for Mr.. Battle.
Despite his overwhelming de-
feat. Mr.. Massenburg remains
party chairman. This fact plus
the fact that Mr.. Wilson Is giving
UP his House seat in an attempt
at a repeat performance, makes
this Senate race assume State
wide significance.
A strong anti-organization ef-
fort is being put forward in the
29th Senatorial District, made up
of Fairfax and Prince William
Counties and the cities Of Alex
andria and Falls Church. Mr..
Miller carried this area over Mr..
Battle 7.400 to $500.
Clarke Against Donovan.
There, State Senator Andrew w.
Clarke, a strong organization
candidate, is pitted for reelection
against John A. K. Donovan. who
managed Mr.. Miller's campaign in
the area.
Then there is the 35th sena-
torial district, which consists OF
Richmond. Two years ago Mr.
Miller carried the city, 1900 to
1880 for Gov. Battle.
The incumbentS, senators
Charles w. Crowder, James E
Gardner and Frank S. Richeson
are seeking to retain their seats
against four others in the field
One of them is Beecher E. Stall
lard, Mr.. Miller's campaign man.
ager in this city.
Although Gov. Battle carried
Roanoke, $500 to 4.400, lively
Senate ace there-the 36th dis.
trict-is taking place between Ear
A. Fitzpatrick, the incumbent. anc
Mr.. Miller's former campaign
manager for Roanoke, Arnolc
Schlossberg.
There are other senatorial dis.
tricts where anti-oraginzatior
forces suffered heavier defeats IL
1949 but where efforts now are be-
ing made to capture seats. Among
them is the 18th, made up O
Lynchburg and Campbell County
where Senator Mosby G. Perov
is opposed by Robert Boyer, wh'
has the backing of the CIO.
In the 21st-Franklin, Montgom
cry and Roanoke Counties and tn
city of Radford-two Democrat
are seeking the nomination TO
a seat now held by a Republican
(there are only two Republican
out of 40 members of the presen
Senate). Frederick L. Hoback, VIII
managed Gov. Battles campaign
in that area, is opposed by for
mer Delegate John B. Spiers who
while not aligned with the anti
organization faction, has a repu
tation for complete independents
of action.
House contests in which inroad
are being sought. or at least main
tanned, include Fairfax and Fall
Church, where Mr.. Miller polled
total of $500 votes to $500 TO
Mr.. Battle. There, Delegate Ed
win w. Lynch, who supported MI
Miller, seeks to retain his sea
against a regular party member
James Keith.
Prillaman Makes Bid.
Nick Prillaman, who ran fo
Lieutenant Governor with M
Miller, is making bid for tn
House seat held by an administra
ton stalwart, Delegate w. F
Broaddus, jr. The district, mad
up of Martinsville and Henr
County. gave Mr.. Miller 1,6l
votes to 1889 for Gov. Battle.
Delegate Paul Crockett, anothe
administration supporter, is or
posed for reelection by a forme
Miller campaigner, r. M. Carnea
The district. which embrace
Charles City, James City, Ne
Kent and York Counties and Wi
liamsburg. gave Mr.. Miller 1,5e
votes to 1000 for Gov. Battle.