Evening star., 1952-05-12
Virginia backers
OF Eisenhower
Voice Optimism
But 6. O. Chuirmun
Says Toft Will Get
Eight More Delegates
BY the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press
Gen. Eisenhower hackers were
hopeful today Of better political
fortune in Virginia, but State
Republican Chairman Robert H.
Woods pictured Senator Taft as
gaining the lions share of the re-
naming Virginia G. o. P. presi-
dental delegates.
Heartened by the election
Saturday of two pro-Eisenhower
delegates in the End district, lead
ers of the Virginians-for -Eisen-
hover Club believe the general
will win additional support in the
five State district Republican
conventions still to be held.
Expresses Optimism.
L. A. Blackburn, president of
the Virginians for Eisenhower
Club. viewed the End district out
come at Portsmouth as an omen of
better things to come for the gen.
erals State followers.
We're optimistic" he said,
"and we're also hoping that some
OF the delegates favoring Taft
will switch their minds by ma
tional convention time"
The election of Lester S. Par
sons and Walter E. Hoffman as
delegates from the I'd marked
the first time that pro- Eisenhower
delegates have been chosen in
Virginia.
Mr.. Woods didn't view the re-
suit in the I'd district as
boosting the stock of the Eisen-
hover supporters. Instead, he
predicted that Taft supporters
will snare at least eight of the
remaining 13 delegates to be Sc
lected.
Senator Taft unquestionably
has the support Of majority of
the leaders who control the dis
trict conventions" he said.
Six pro-Taft delegates have al
ready been named in Virginia.
Two other delegates are uncom-
mitted.
Taft Wins Delegates.
While Gen. Eisenhower was
gaining in the I'd. Senator
Taft was picking up two more
delegates in the 9th Saturday.
The remaining Republican dis
trict conventions will be held in
the Sd, 4th, 5th, 9Th and 7th
districts.
Third District Republicans
will meet here tonight and may
nominate a candidate to oppose
Representative Gary in the No
vember general elections.
1t was uncertain which of two
rival factions would represent
Richmond at the meeting.
One group, the "old guard" is
headed by James r. Moore. The
other consists of supporters of
Gen. Eisenhower and is led by
John Paul Derrenberger.
The Derrenberger faction was
formed in February when Mr..
Moore, as city COP chairman,
refused to recognize hackers of
Gen. Eisenhower at a mass meet
ing Of Richmond Republicans.
Mr.. Moore'S group said several
weeks ago they were considering
three men as possible candidates
for Mr.. Gary's seat in Congress.
The three were Richard c. Poage,
John w. Purcell and William
Sanders.
Mr.. Derrenberger's group said
they were considering some one
they described as prominent"
There was some talk, however,
of a compromise between the fac
tions.
Byrd Managers Named.
Meanwhile, two more local cam
paign managers were appointed by
Senator Byrd's campaign head
quarters here.
State Senator Earl A. Fitzpat-
rick will head up Senator Byrd's
drive for votes in Roanoke, and
Attorney Harry L. Carrico of
Vienna will direct the Senator's
campaign in Fairfax County.
Both appointments were an
nounced by State Senator A. S..
Harrison, jr., of Lawrenceville,
State campaign manager for Sen
ator Byrd.
Senator Byrd's foe in the July
IS Democratic primary race is
Francis P. Miller of Albemarle.
State headquarters for Mr.. Mil
Ter are expected to be opened in
Richnnnnd during the next 10 davs