Evening star., 1952-07-16
Russe||Favored
0nEveof State
Convention
Unit Rule Seen as
Virginia Delegates
Pour Into Roanoke
By Alex r. Preston
StoH StoH CoErespondent

Virginia state Democratic Con
vention that sought desperately tt
nominate Gen. Eisenhower fou
years ago will reconvene tomor
row just as determined to get be-
hind some one else opposed t,
President Truman.
Georgia's Senator Russell seem
to be this years favorite as dele
gates arrived by train, plane ant
car to select a delegation with q
votes to go to the National Con
vention in Chicago next week.
Senator Byrd, leader Of. tn.
Democratic organization, Gov
Battle and other members of Con
gress from the Old Dominion al
ready have come out strongly fol
Senator Russell.
Some believe tomorrow's con-
vention may bind it's Chicago
delegates to the unit rule anC
instruct them to vote for tht
Georgia Senator until he release:
them.
Originated Draft Move.
History is repeating itself tt
the extent that it was Georgia
which originated the draft Eisen-
hover move in 1948.
At that time, Senator Byrd was
greeted by a tumult of approval
in Richmond when he said:
Speaking as a delegate. I hope
that Virginia Democrats will cast
their votes for Eisenhower ano
lead the Democratic Party to vic
tory"
Another demonstration followed
when William M. Tuck, then Vir-
ginia's Governor who headed the
conventions Resolutions Commit
tee, reported measure which de-
clared it the sense of the State
Democrats that Gen. Eisenhower
should be the next President ane
that delegates to the 1948 Ma
tional Convention be instructed
ito do their utmost to secure the
nomination of the general"
Mr.. Tuck, who was succeeded
by Gov. Battle in 1850. probably
will be named new State chair.
man at the one-day session to-
morrow. He would replace G
Alvin Massenburg whose politica
vitality has been on the wan'
since he helped railroad "anti'
Truman" resolutions through th'
1948 convention, resulting in {
walkout by many delegates.
Mr.. Massenburg, who wa
Speaker of the House of Delegates
subsequently was defeated by {
political unknown, Victor P. Will
son of Hampton, for reelection tt
the House. When Mr.. Massenburs
tried to 60 to the State Senate
Mr.. Wilson, identified with th'
anti-organization faction, again
defeated him.
Contest May Develop.
A contest may develop over tn
national committeeman's pos
now held by G. Fred Switzer, Har
risonburg telephone compan,
executive. Mr.. Switzer, however
said he knew nothing about it.
On the other hand, William I
Prieur. jr.. clerk of Norfolk Cor
poration Court. confirmed to TIL
Star that his friends were urgin
him to take the post.
"I am not what you might cal
an active candidate" Mr.. Prieu
said, "but I wouldn't turn it dowr
either"
There appears to be no contes
over the seat of the national com
mitteewoman, Mrs. John Garlan
Pollard of Richmond, widow o
q former Governor.
When the convention selects II
national convention delegates to
morrow it will be II days benin
the deadline set by Democrat
Party rules which state Is. tn
names Of al delegates and alter
mates are certified to the nations
committee not less than Is day
prior to the opening of the (na
tional) convention.
Representative Cannon Of Mis-
souri,, author of the official ma
tional convention manual, tol
The Star, however, that an ex
ception would be made for Viz
ginia at Chicago.
Relaxed for States.
"The rules are relaxed" MI
Cannon said, whenever they con
travene law or. custom in tn
States. The rule is designed
give the national committee MOI
time to consider contests and
Virginia should have a conteste
delegation there would be littl
time to settle it. But it could
done, even while the nation,
convention is in session."
The State gathering is expecte
to elect 36 delegates which it
allowed under party rules to ca.
Virginia's % votes.
The district delegates and alte,
mates will be nominated at cat
cuses set for 10 am. tomorrow
each congressional district delegs
tion. They normally are rattle
by the convention which al.
elects the delegates and alternat,
at large.
Attempts will be made by par
leaders of the 10th District 1
agree on the distribution of del,
gates to Chicago. Arlington, wit
q delegation Of ia casting
votes, is in a position to contr
the caucus but the way is alwa,
open for a floor fight.
Arlington to Seek Delegate.
It is understood that Arlingtt
will seek to name one delega
and an alternate to Chicago VIII
Fairfax, the second largest are
with 81 votes, would get the sc
ond delegate and Alexandria, t
second alternate.
- A.HA -