Evening star., 1952-05-30
Virginia Republicans
Face Serious Riff at
Session Tomorrow
By Alex R. Preston
Ssor Ssaff Correspondent

lIlOIlS OFST Tie IepuDllCdu OGdCG
, Convention as delegates arrived
, here for tomorroW's session.
, The Credentials Committee will
have to decide which of two sets
of Sd district delegates will be
entitled to the floor and which of
two opposing presidential nomi-
mating convention states from the
I'D will be sent to Chicago.
| A rift developed at Richmond
when "Old Guard" chieftains re-
fused to recognize Gen. Eisen-
hover supporters. Consequently a
Irump convention was held by
supporters of the retiring NATO
commander accused the "Old
Guard" of acting in behalf Of
Senator Taft's candidacy.
Both Elected Delegates.
\ Both conventions elected dele
gates to the State convention and
Ito the Chicago session-one pro-
Taft. two pro-Eisenhower and one
neutral.
The same thing happened on a
larger scale at the Texas conven-
|tion Tuesday when Eisenhower
forces bofted that States con-
'ivention which had named an un-
instructed delegation predomi-
Inantly for the Ohio Senator. The
generals supporters held their
own convention and named 33
for Eisenhower and five for Taft.
So far, Senator Taft has picked
up eight national convention dele
gates from various district con-
ventions in Virginia. His hackers
claim eight more. Gen. Eisenhower
has one and several leaning to
him while the rest of the Old
Dominion's "a delegates are in
dispute.
Taft Forces In Control.
Taft forces appear to be in
control of the convention which
will select four delegates at-large
for which at least a five-way race
exists.
In addition, lively contests cen
ter around the posts now held
| by G. 0. P. State Chairman
Robert H. Woods of Pearisburg;
National Committeeman Curtis
M. Dozier of Richmond. who said
he is retiring and National Com
mitteewoman Emily Logan of
Woodstock.
A strong bid for Mrs. Logan's
post is being made by another
Northern Virginian. Mrs. Wilma
MacP cPherson, wife of Arlington's
Republican treasurer, Colin c..
Macpherson. She also is president
lof the Virginia Council of Re-
publican Women which holds its
business session here this after
noon and banquet tonight.
For many weeks now the COM
mitteeWoman'S campaign has
drawn various women's organiza-
tions into the affray on opposite
sides. Mrs. Macpherson said, how
ever, she would oppose any move
Ito put the council on record for
any candidate.
Possible Dark Horse.
Miss Phyllis Otey of Richmond
has been reported as q possible
dark horse prospect. a9
| A strong campaign is being
waged for the committeeman's1 81
post of Mr.. Dozier, a Taft
man. State Senator Ted Dalton
of Radford, identified with the
Eisenhower faction. is opposed by
Fred w. McWane. longtime stall
wart from Lynchburg. A possible
dark horse here may be Robert r.
Harmon, Charlottesville manufac-
turer, a strong Taft supporter.
Both, committeeman and COM
mitteewoman, will be chosen by
the delegates elected to go to
Chicago and not at this conven-
ton. But those selected here
from the State at-large may be
the deciding factor in the final
choices.
Although Mr.. Woods has shown
no inclination to relinquish the
State chairmanship, bids for that
Office are being made by Walter
johnson, Northumberland Coun-
Ity's Commonwealth's attorney who
now is battling with the State
Compensation Board over his
salary allowance: Stephen D.
Timberlake of Staunton, a candi-
date for the House against Repre-
sentative Harrison in the 7th Dis
trict four years ago, and State
Senator Floyd Landreth of Galax.
In Race for Four Posts.
For national convention dele
Igates-at-large, the following are
among those figuring in the race
for the four posts: Mr.. john
Ison, Mrs. MACPHERSON, Mrs.
Logan, Senator Dalton and Mr..
WCWane.
Although most of the various
district conventions elected twoi
national convention delegates
each, technically those elected
from Northern Virginia's new
10th, which adjoins Washington,
and from the 9th. are scheduled
Ito be ratified as "at-large" dele
gates at tomorrow's convention.
This is because the new 10th does
mot officially come into being until
la law passed by the General As
sembly takes effect June %.
The State Central Committee
decided to avoid possible legal
questions when it authorized con-
ventions in the old districts before
the reviSions take effect. BY al
l"gentlemen's agreement" the
committee decided that those Sc
Ilected at 9th and 10th district
conventions would be ratified by
the State convention.
Selected to go to Chicago from
the 9th are District Chairman w.