Evening star., 1952-07-10
Tuck and Hutchinson
Voice Bitter Charges
In Byrd-Mi||er Fight
By J. v. Horner

By J. v. Homer
The championship fight for vir-
ginia's nomination to the Senate
was we'll established today as q
free-for-all, involving not only the
two contenders for the title, but a
host of sparring partners who
mauled everything in sight.
In the toughest round to date.
the spotlight was shared by two
old pros of politics-former Gov.
William M. Tuck and Richmond
Attorney Martin A. Hutchinson.
Senator Byrd, watchdog of the
treasury and a foe of bureaucrats.
was courting the Federal Office
holders in northern Virginia.
Visits Truck Farmers.
His opponent, Francis Pickens
Miller, left the fashionable hunt
country of Pennington to extend
a cultured hand to the truck farm
ers in Henrico County.
It was slightly battling to the
voters who, on Tuesday. will make
a momentous decision between the
conservative and New Deal wings
of the Democratic Party.
Mr.. Tuck uncorked his second
blistering attack upon the Miller
forces, which he linked with the
Roosevelt and Truman adminis-
trations. In most parts Of Vir-
ginia, this tag is regarded as o
political liability.
Victory for Southern Democrats.
"An overwhelming victory for
Senator Byrd would react to the
advantage of the Southern Demo-
Gratis who seek to return the party
to the principles of Jefferson.
Jackson and Woodrow Wilson,"
declared Mr.. Tuck.
Should Senator Byrd's radical
opponent, Francis Pickens Miller,
poll a heavy vote in Virginia, it
would give aid. comfort and en-
couragement to his radical coun-
terparts like (Senator) Humphrey
of Minnesota, and (former Sem
ator) Pepper of Florida.
"The choice facing Virginia
voters Tuesday. July Is, is a fate
full one; conservative Senator
Byrd versus radical Pickens Mil
ler."
Mr.. Hutchinson, who waged an
unsuccessful fight against Senator
Byrd six years ago, had equally
caustic remarks. In a radio speech
last night, the attorney asserted:
Byrd buttons abound among
|ofhceholders, would-be officehold-
|ers, cautious empoyes Of office.
holders, insurance agents and
contractors who do business with
the State. Congressman, State
officials and members of the Leg
islature now roam the State in
quest Of votes.
I'm Virginia today. as in Israel
in the days of the prophet
Isaiah. it seems that every OK
knoweth his masters voice and
every ass his owners crib
In an Arlington program that
was televised by WTTG, Senator
Byrd said Hatch Act restrictions
should be removed on local Office
holding by Federal employees. He
said he believes Virginia citizens
connected with the Federal Gov
ernment have the right and duty
to participate in local affairs with
out having their jobs jeopdarized.
Forbids Campaigning.
The Hatch Act now permits
Government workers to seek of
flee or to campaign only in nom
partisan elections. in areas where
the Civil Service Commission finds
such workers make up a substan-
tial part Of the population. Sen
ator Byrd said he has fought 10
years to change this.
The Senator told the Northern
virginians that he has supported
some measures Of the Roosevelt
and Truman administrations, but
not those 'personified by Wallace.
Hopkins. Tugwell. Brannan and
Ewing"
At the farm gathering in Hen.
rico, MIR. Miller claimed credit for
new school buildings recently au-
thorized in the State. Under pres.
sure from the anti-organization
forces, he said, "the boys who run
the machine" have been forced to
provide classroom space. He COM
planned that the Byrd followers
have the gall to call the money
used to build these buildings the
Battle fund.
Gov. Battle defeated Mr.. Miller
In the Democratic gubernatoriaI
primary three years ago. He rec
commended legislative appropria.
tion which paved the way for the
school building program. Mr.. Mil.
Ter contended he and his asso.
ciates were responsible for flush.
ng out" $75 million dollars which
le said was hidden in the State
reasury.